At the 2025 Met Gala, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan captured the spotlight not only for his presence but also for his impeccable taste in luxury timepieces. The 58-year-old actor, known as the “King of Bollywood,” stunned the crowd by wearing the Patek Philippe Grand Complication Ref. 5304/301R, a rare and highly coveted watch valued at an estimated $3 million on the secondary market. The moment was made all the more iconic by the fact that hip-hop mogul Jay-Z had previously worn the same model at the 67th Grammy Awards earlier in the year, underscoring the global stature of the timepiece.
A Timepiece of Extraordinary Craftsmanship
The Patek Philippe Ref. 5304/301R, part of the Swiss brand’s Grand Complications collection, is a masterclass in watchmaking. The watch features a 43mm 18k rose gold case, adorned with 80 baguette-cut diamonds along the bezel, lugs, and clasp. Beneath the sapphire crystal dial lies a skeletonized design that showcases its minute repeater and retrograde perpetual calendar—two of the most complex and revered complications in haute horlogerie.
The minute repeater function allows the watch to chime the hours, quarters, and minutes with a simple push of a slider, while the perpetual calendar tracks multiple time-related details—date, day, month, leap year, and moon phase—requiring no adjustment until the year 2100. The retrograde date function, with a single hand sweeping across the dial before jumping back to the start at month’s end, adds a striking visual element to the intricate mechanism. Combined with white gold engraving and an alligator strap, the Ref. 5304/301R is a perfect blend of artistry and technical brilliance.
Shah Rukh Khan: A Cultural Icon
For Shah Rukh Khan, wearing such an extraordinary timepiece is a fitting choice. With a career spanning over 90 films and a net worth surpassing $770 million, Khan is not just one of the world’s wealthiest actors, but a symbol of global cultural influence. In addition to his cinematic achievements, Khan recently made headlines with his acquisition of full ownership of the Mumbai Indians, the Indian Premier League’s most successful cricket franchise. His appearance at the Met Gala, traditionally a Western-dominated event, signified the rising prominence of Indian culture on the global stage.
Star-Studded Wristwear at the Met Gala
Khan was not the only celebrity to showcase a remarkable watch at the 2025 Met Gala. Pharrell Williams turned heads with the Richard Mille RM 74-02, a carbon and gold timepiece featuring an automatic tourbillon and a skeletonized dial. Timothée Chalamet made waves with the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600, a one-of-a-kind piece never before publicly sold. Zendaya, meanwhile, chose the elegant yet understated Cartier Privé Tank Asymétrique in platinum, proving that sophistication can rival mechanical complexity.
However, it was Khan’s decision to wear the Patek Philippe Grand Complication that made the boldest statement of the evening. His choice not only aligned him with the world’s most elite figures in both film and fashion but further solidified his status as a true cultural icon in global luxury.
