Palisade Jewelers

If you come into Palisade Jewelers this month, you might catch us watching the NCAA basketball tournament. As fans of March Madness, and basketball in general, we thought it would be fun to look at what the pros wear on their wrists. Future pros, take note!

The Lebron James limited edition Audemars Piguet

LeBron James is at the top of his game and has a serious watch collection to boot. His tastes tend towards fine Swiss timepieces, and he is happy to sport a gold timepiece on a gold bracelet – a look that might overwhelm a man of a lesser size. For the past several years, Mr. James has become a solid fan of Audemars Piguet. Audemars returned the favor by creating a limited-edition Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Lebron James. The watch, like the man, has strong style, with an uncommon combination of 18K rose gold with a titanium bezel.

Turning his passion into print

Carmelo Anthony’s style is legendary and his passion for timepieces led him to being a partner, investor and co-founder of Haute Time magazine. Anthony also contributes to articles in the magazine and serves up a “Watch of the Day” on the publication’s web site, discussing design and mechanical features in detail. His penchant for Panerai is well documented, but his collection spans all of the world’s top brands.

In the Air Jordan

Michael Jordan’s skill and winning style are unmatched. Nike’s Air Jordan continues to top sales for the athletic shoe brand. In a photo shoot for the infamous sneaker ad, Jordan wore his Ulysse Nardin Sonata, with its dual time zone and chiming alarm function. He has also been photographed wearing very pricey Richard Mille timepieces and Urwerk, a niche brand producing high mechanical timepieces with non-traditional designs. A great watch collection, however, seems incomplete without a Rolex and Jordan’s choice of a Daytona is a lay-up.

Rolex Daytona

Giving back

Kobe Bryant is a fan of Hublot, well-known for breaking boundaries in sports watches while maintaining the highest horological standards. From materials as unexpected as denim and rubber, the brand created some of the most innovative watches on the market today. Bryant explains the appeal of the brand on the company’s web site: “I not only admire the timeless style in their designs, but also the wonderful work they do by giving back to various charitable organizations around the world.”

Hublot also tapped Bulls shooting guard Dwyane Wade as a spokesperson.  He is a regular on “best-dressed” lists and his style carries through to his watch. An active philanthropist, he cites the brand’s charitable efforts as a source of inspiration. The nine-time NBA All-Star and Olympian says: “This partnership has brought a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the watchmaking industry, and I’m thrilled to share my vision with the ultimate Swiss watchmaker.”

Superstar Tony Parker, who boasts a tied record of three NBA Championships by age 25 (the other is held by Kobe) has been a dedicated partner with IWC since 2007. In addition to the incredible craftsmanship of IWC watches, Parker has stated that their dedication to charity put them on the top of his list. “I appreciate the design and craftsmanship of their watches. Also as first Ambassador to the Make a Wish Foundation in France, I’ve come to really appreciate the charitable enterprises that companies take on,” Parker stated. “In this area, IWC stood out. Their involvement in social responsibility initiatives such as the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which helps underprivileged youth around the world, really impresses me.” Now that’s a slam dunk.

If you’re looking for a great watch, come talk to us. We’ve got something for almost any bracket.