Team World may have taken home the trophy at this year’s Laver Cup, but when it comes to luxury wristwear, Team Europe was untouchable thanks to world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and retired legend Roger Federer.
San Francisco’s Chase Center hosted the eighth edition of the team competition over the weekend, where Team World reclaimed the title in a dramatic, down-to-the-wire finish. Off the court, though, the spotlight shifted to the players’ watch collections—and Federer’s timepiece in particular stole the show.
Making a grand return to the event he helped create—and where he bid farewell to tennis in 2022—Federer showed up wearing an ultra-rare Rolex Daytona “Blue Sapphire,” valued at around $1.5 million on the resale market.
The watch features 36 baguette-cut sapphires, an 18K white gold case, and a one-of-a-kind natural silver obsidian dial. First unveiled this year at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, the Daytona is already considered a “Holy Grail” for collectors and watch fans—like Alcaraz.
Federer was seen sharing the rare piece with Alcaraz during a behind-the-scenes Day 3 moment, handing it over for the grinning 21-year-old to admire. The exchange, caught on camera and shared by journalist Bastian Fachan on X, quickly lit up watch circles online.
Both men have close ties to the Crown: Federer has been a brand testimonee since 2006, while Alcaraz signed on in 2022.
The Spaniard also brought one of his favorites to San Francisco—the bright blue “Tiffany” Rolex Daytona Cosmograph, released this year and priced at about $130,000. With its turquoise dial, 18K yellow gold case, and black Oysterflex strap, it’s become a signature piece for Alcaraz, who has worn it at Roland Garros and the US Open trophy ceremonies.
As for the tennis, Team Europe—led by Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Casper Ruud—started strong with a 3–1 lead on Day 1. But Team World, powered by Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur, stormed back with a Day 2 sweep to go up 9–3. The contest came down to Sunday, when Fritz clinched the title with a straight-sets win over Zverev. It marks Team World’s third Laver Cup crown in the past four years.
The Laver Cup returns to London in 2026—and no doubt, so will the next round of jaw-dropping wrist candy. In the meantime, Alcaraz heads to Tokyo this week as the top seed at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open.
He opens against Sebastian Baez on Thursday, with coverage live on Tennis Channel.