A piece of hip-hop history has officially changed hands. The lavish gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex GMT Master II, which became synonymous with Drake during the promotional cycle for his seminal 2011 album Take Care, has been sold for a staggering $500,000.
The timepiece was listed through Wind Vintage, a Palm Beach-based firm led by renowned watch specialist Eric Wind. While the watch is inextricably linked to the Canadian superstar’s aesthetic during that era, industry insiders have clarified its provenance. According to Charlie Dunne, a senior watch specialist at Wind Vintage, the watch was not part of the rapper’s personal collection. Instead, it was owned by a colleague who provided the accessory for the Take Care album photo shoot and subsequent promotional campaigns.
The market for high-end, celebrity-associated horology remains exceptionally robust. Reflecting on the sale, Eric Wind noted the intensity of the current collectible watch market, stating, “Personally, I have never seen the collectible watch market hotter than it is today. The velocity with which we are selling the watches, frequently selling the watches within minutes of listing the watch on our site, is mind-blowing.”
The watch itself shows signs of its history, featuring full links with light wear on the bracelet clasp and minor scratches on the caseback. The sale package was comprehensive, including the original box, official documentation of authenticity, and a collection of OVO memorabilia—ranging from a Swiss army knife and an OVO owl statue to exclusive apparel and a backstage VIP pass.
As of now, representatives for Drake have not provided further comment regarding the sale.
