- The NBA has become a hotspot for watch culture, with players like Landale navigating the competitive world of luxury timepieces.
- Jock Landale’s passion for watches began with his father’s influence and early experiences.
- His first watch was a Raymond Weil that he bought from an antique store in Lithuania.
The start of the new NBA season brings with it immeasurable excitement for the baller purists out there, anticipating another thrilling year of courtside action, with fresh energy, new faces, and rivalries renewed. But in an era dominated by social media, where media scrutiny extends beyond the paradigms of the basketball court and starts the minute the players step off the team coach, the spotlight now shines on players’ off-court style just as much as their on-court performances.
The fashion, the flashy watches, and the curated looks arriving at games have become as much a part of the culture as the highlights on NBA League Pass. We should know; we’ve covered the watch games of players like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler extensively on DMARGE for years.
The moment the players step off team buses and onto the NBA’s red carpet, their attire becomes a statement – one that reveals more than just personal taste but speaks to their values, their influences, and, at times, their aspirations.
“It’s the game within the game.”
Jock Landale, Houston Rockets
Jock Landale’s Watch Collection
Now in his fourth year in the NBA, Australian baller Jock Landale has been a mainstay in the league since making the switch from Melbourne and Europe to the U.S. in 2021. He’s seen firsthand the intersection of culture that’s found at the height of the men’s game, with the world’s biggest names rocking unique pieces as an extension of their larger-than-life personas.
“I was able to see quickly how vast it was. The NBA certainly had an influence on my passion for watches – and my knowledge in general – because it’s such a talking point, you know? It’s almost like a pissing contest in some respects, where it’s like ‘What’s he got on his wrist tonight?’ So it’s an enjoyable game within the game.”
Jock Landale, Houston Rockets
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Landale told DMARGE that he developed his propensity for watch-collecting from his father, Clive, who boasted a selection of enviable brands and personal pieces. Long before he found himself in a position to invest in his first piece, Landale was already immersed in the art of sourcing and understanding watches, eagerly soaking up knowledge about the brands and craftsmanship that make certain pieces iconic.
Now, as he settles into his role with the Houston Rockets, Landale is also carving out his place in the horological world, turning a lifelong interest into a full-fledged passion for watch collecting.
“The first watch that I ever bought – not so much a luxury watch – was this Raymond Weil that I bought over in Lithuania from this little antique store,” Jock Landale continued.
“I went online without really understanding the idea of retail vs. secondary market. I just thought, ‘I want a watch to wear to the games.’ So I went and I found this thing. At the time, I bought it for like a 20th of the price that I found something that looked similar online. I thought, ‘Holy crap. What have I done here? That really opened my eyes to how that game worked.”
It was years later, after swapping European basketball for the heights of the NBA, that Landale could finally turn his passion for haute horlogerie into a growing personal collection. Of course, for many people, watch collecting can mean many different things. But it’s the perfect platform for athletes like Jock Landale to commemorate achievements and milestones reached.
“The first real watch that I bought was a Rolex Submariner in Vegas,” Landale shared with DMARGE. “We were meant to be flying out on the Thursday to Europe for my wife’s sister’s wedding, when I got a call from this guy who I had visited two days prior in Vegas to see if he had anything. He knew that I was on a tight timeline at that point, but I think he was kind of dangling a little bit of bait to see how keen of a buyer I was.”
The timing was tricky – Landale had just landed back in San Antonio, getting ready for his onward flight to Europe, when the dealer called, letting him know he had a Submariner available. But there was one catch: Landale had to come back and pick it up in person.
“I said ‘I’m leaving in 24 hours to go to Greece. Is there anything you can do to help me out here?’
Jock Landale, Houston Rockets
“He told me that he had people fly in from Paris or London to come and pick up a watch. So he did me dirty on that a little bit. But I enjoyed the process of going on the hunt for this piece and then having this guy make me work to go and get it.”
Landale’s quest for his first Rolex was his first lesson in the watch-collecting game: “That has set me up for years to come on; understanding what the industry kind of was about and the relationships that you have to build; the patience that you have to have. So this was my first one. It definitely means the most.”
Watch Culture in the NBA
Weeks later, Landale earned his move to Phoenix ahead of the 2022/23 season, walking into a dressing room with some of the biggest names in the league like Kevin Durrant and Chris Paul, where Vacheron Constantin and Richard Mille were common brands in the lockers. It’s here he’d get a taste for the real currency in watch collecting: relationships.
“Once you get to that upper end of our sport,” Landale explained, “they’re catapulted to the front of those lines and those lists. The retailers are seeking them out because they want to have that relationship with them. Not that I’ve really experienced that yet. But there’s definitely a correlation between success and being able to even get your hands on big pieces from each brand.”
“Americans go a lot harder than Australians do, like they’re okay with being real flashy and glamorous and I don’t think that that’s necessarily a part of what Australians are comfortable with right now.”
Jock Landale, Houston Rockets
After the games, representatives from some of the biggest luxury Maisons like Rolex and Audemars Piguet will frequently wait in the tunnels to catch up with the players. It’s not just a quick stop at a boutique, however.
It’s invitations to dinners, exclusive events, and the promise of access to the best the brand has to offer. For players who want to get the latest piece at retail, it’s crucial to be on the right lists or in the ears of the right people.
“Some of those watches that these guys are wearing are worth a couple $100,000. If you’re a rookie in the NBA, and you’re out buying those kinds of things, it’s probably not the smartest financial decision. But those guys who have been playing for a long time and can afford to do it. You know that there’s definitely a correlation between that success and them just having the means to go out and buy them.”
Luxury Watches and Sport Share a Timeless Connection
For decades, the world of luxury watches and sport have enjoyed an overlapping history, accentuated by milestones and immortal moments. From the gold TAG Heuer Carreras gifted by the revered custodian Jack Heuer to champion Formula 1 drivers in the 20th century, to stars of Wimbledon’s gracing Centre Court with their exquisite Rolex Datejusts, timepieces have long been synonymous with achievement and prestige, transcending their status as to become undeniable symbols of success.
“It’s an expensive hobby.”
Jock Landale, Houston Rockets
Rolex in particular has partnered with some of the biggest sporting events in the world, merging Swiss luxury timepieces with the world of motorsports, tennis and golf. It’s not uncommon to see the latest Rolex pieces on the wrists of the world’s biggest stars like Roger Federer. They’re not just the official sponsors of these global events; they’re an evolving part of the story.
In the world of basketball, Rolex’s presence is felt just as profoundly. The brand’s iconic models, like the Datejust and the revered GMT collection, are often seen on the wrists of NBA stars to reflect their status within the game. Of course, it goes without saying that Rolex has been able to curate its own exclusivity in recent years, with year-long waitlists for off-the-shelf models that are surely felt across the NBA, if you’re not on the right lists.
“I love Rolex’s GMT line.” Landale continued. “I have a couple in my collection. I think the first one that I got was the classic Pepsi GMT – that’s one that I would probably wear for a big game. But I really try and share the love around my collection.”
The Rolex Pepsi, with its distinctive red and blue bezel, is certainly a favourite amongst watch enthusiasts and collectors. It’s a classic release from the Swiss luxury brand, emblematic of contemporary American style that has become synonymous with the NBA.
But whilst Landale’s burgeoning collection includes an enviable range of luxury watch brands, certain watches are reserved for those truly special moments.
“The Daytona in white gold is probably one that I’d really only break out for special events and occasions because it’s really representative of something significant,” he explains, showing me the Rolex piece that he bought for his wedding this year.
Yet for Landale, watch collecting is more than just ticking boxes on a list of luxury brands like Rolex, Cartier, and Audemars Piguet. It’s about using each piece. “I see them as things that are meant to be worn. I try not to just hoard them,” he says. “If I’m not going to wear it, why own it?”
Jock Landale stats and information…
| Full Name | Jock Landale |
| Age / Date of Birth | 25 October 1995 |
| Partner | India Maddern |
| 24′ Salary | $48 Million over 3 years |
| Net Worth | N/A |
