Game, Set, Watches

The U.S. Open Has Become A Timepiece Haven

Federer Loves The Crown

Forget the scoreboard. Some of the most interesting action at this year’s U.S. Open is happening about six inches above the players’ hands.

Tennis and watches have always enjoyed a rather cozy relationship, but the 2026 U.S. Open is looking increasingly like a horological arms race. Rolex remains the sport’s 800-pound gorilla, but Jacob & Co., Patek Philippe and Gerald Charles are making sure the Crown doesn’t get every close-up.

Carlos Alcaraz and his Daytona "Le Mans"

Carlos Alcaraz, has been spotted with a serious piece of Rolex firepower: the yellow-gold Cosmograph Daytona “Le Mans.” This isn’t your country-club Daytona. The Le Mans is one of the most desirable modern Daytona’s, distinguished by its reverse-panda dial and motorsport pedigree. On Alcaraz, it looks appropriately young, expensive and just a little obnoxious. Perfect.

Taylor Fritz and his Cosmograph

Then there’s Taylor Fritz, keeping Team Rolex well represented with another yellow-gold Daytona, this one with a lighter dial. Nothing whispers “professional athlete” quite like casually strapping on enough gold to trigger an airport metal detector.

de Minaur and his Gerald Charles Maestro

Alex de Minaur goes in a much more interesting direction with the Gerald Charles Maestro GC Sport, shown here in the blue London Jewelers 100th Anniversary edition. Better still, de Minaur wears his Maestro while playing. Lightweight, shock-resistant and decidedly less predictable than another Rolex, it may be the coolest watch of the bunch.

Marta Kostyuk with a Patek on court

Marta Kostyuk is taking the concept of a sports watch to a whole new level. She has competed wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce, complete with its diamond-set bezel and blue strap. Playing Grand Slam tennis in a diamond Patek? That’s confidence.

Alexander Zverev with Jacob & Co.

Alexander Zverev goes considerably louder with Jacob & Co., wearing an Epic X in white and blue. Skeletonized, oversized and impossible to miss, it’s basically the watch equivalent of yelling, “Over here!”

Finally, the elder statesman. Roger Federer, perhaps tennis’s greatest watch ambassador, appeared wearing the Rolex Land-Dweller, the brand’s newest major collection. Federer can make almost anything look elegant, and the integrated-bracelet Land-Dweller fits him perfectly.

The lesson from Flushing Meadows? Tennis may still be about serves, forehands and match points, but luxury watchmakers know exactly where the television cameras are pointing.