Story Highlight
– DDG showcases watch collection in $35 million mansion.
– First luxury watch was a “bust-down” Rolex Day-Date.
– Admitted to being scammed on a two-tone AP watch.
– Collection now valued over $1 million, includes Richard Mille.
– Frustrated with Swatch x AP collaboration after investment.
Full Story
In a recent episode of WatchGuys, rapper and influencer DDG, who has a substantial following of over 7 million on Instagram, shared an intimate look at his watch collection while showcasing the luxurious $35 million Getty Mansion located in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
The discussion, led by WatchGuys’ founder Robertino Altieri, traverses various aspects of DDG’s journey into luxury timepieces, including his initial purchase of a high-end watch and an insightful cautionary experience regarding a fraudulent transaction involving a rare two-tone Audemars Piguet. This dialogue also provides valuable insight into the evolving mindsets of contemporary watch collectors.
DDG’s first significant acquisition was a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date Presidential in 36mm, described as “all I could afford at the time.” His subsequent purchase of a two-tone Audemars Piguet, however, didn’t go as smoothly. He recounted the experience of trading what he believed to be an authentic two-tone Royal Oak for a timepiece that turned out to be merely rose gold-plated. Struggling with his lack of experience in the secondary market, he admitted that he made the exchange based solely on visual judgement.
Since those early days, DDG’s collection has expanded significantly. Today, it features two Richard Mille watches—a rose gold RM 30 acquired around 2020-21 and a smaller RM 29 that he often wears casually—which together contribute to a collection he values at more than $1 million.
For DDG, the allure of Richard Mille watches extends beyond their visual appeal. He stated, “I don’t get [watches] because I’m like, this is going to look fire with my outfit. I get them because it’s a conversation piece.” He highlighted how wearing one of these watches can influence perceptions in professional settings, stating, “There’s been times where I walk in a room with my Richard Mille and it makes people think that ‘maybe I can do business with him’ or we have a conversation because they know I’m successful.”
DDG also shared his observations regarding the challenges of the secondary market. He noted that profiting from flipping watches has become increasingly difficult due to factors such as climbing gold prices, US tariffs on Swiss timepieces, and the shrinking gap between retail and resale prices for anything other than highly exclusive models.
Additionally, he expressed his discontent over the Swatch x AP Royal Pop collaboration, revealing his frustration that Audemars Piguet would affiliate with a £300 pocket watch after he heavily invested in more exclusive items. Nonetheless, he candidly acknowledged that he would have considered purchasing all available colourways for resale had he recognised the opportunity sooner.
Looking ahead, DDG revealed a coveted item on his wishlist: the casino roulette piece from Jacob & Co, which has been spotted on the wrist of Brazilian football star Neymar.
For those interested, the full video of his watch collection tour is available below.
