Badshah has never been one to conceal his affinity for the exclusive, the daring, and the astronomically priced. From cars and sneakers to timepieces, if an item is limited edition and difficult to acquire, it likely captures his attention. However, his latest revelation adds a fascinating layer to this narrative of opulence.
Luxury with a Personal Touch
Badshah's association with high-end luxury has become a notable element of contemporary pop culture. In 2025, he garnered significant media attention for acquiring a Rolls-Royce Cullinan valued at approximately ₹12.45 crore. Prior to that, he achieved a milestone as the first Indian to partner with Maybach on a limited-edition eyewear collection. More recently, he was spotted wearing a rare pink "Barbie" Rolex, estimated at a staggering ₹9 crore, with only ten such pieces existing worldwide, owned by luminaries like Lionel Messi.
Yet, there is a compelling twist to Badshah's relationship with watches. For him, these are not merely symbols of status; they represent intricate mechanical marvels and artistic masterpieces that command his profound admiration.
The Watchmaking Aspiration
During a conversation with Curly Tales, the rapper shared an unexpected insight: his engagement with watches extends beyond collection to dedicated study and reverence. "I don't have many," he remarked modestly. "About 10 to 15. But they are rare and expensive. The craftsmanship behind them is what truly fascinates me." This statement carries weight, especially from someone who possesses over 500 pairs of sneakers, many of which remain unworn.
The interview took an intriguing turn when Badshah disclosed, "A few days ago, I was contemplating leaving everything behind and relocating to Switzerland to learn watchmaking. I was genuinely considering it." Envision one of India's most prominent music artists trading recording studios for horological workshops, exchanging musical beats for the precision of balance wheels.
Appreciation for Patience and Precision
What captivated Badshah was not the glitz associated with luxury but the remarkable patience inherent in watchmaking. He spoke admiringly of artisans who produce merely ten watches annually, each entirely mechanical, devoid of batteries, and assembled meticulously by hand from thousands of minuscule components. "So many individuals have dedicated their lives to crafting watches," he observed. "This small device on your wrist requires an immense number of man-hours to complete." This reflection reveals a side of the rapper that contrasts sharply with the fast-paced world of tours and chart success, highlighting a quiet, obsessive appreciation for meticulous artistry.
Exploring His Horological Collection
When Badshah discusses craftsmanship, his words are substantiated by his acquisitions. A standout piece in his collection is from Greubel Forsey, a brand revered among connoisseurs. The GMT Balancier Convexe model, handmade with approximately 500 to 700 components, demands about eight months to finish a single unit. Valued at around $400,000 (roughly ₹3.6 crore), its significance transcends monetary value.
This timepiece features a miniature rotating globe at its center, a three-dimensional Earth that displays world time, tracking local time, universal time, a secondary time zone, and even day and night cycles. Crafted with sapphire crystals and sculpted metal, it resembles a tiny universe adorning the wrist—an acquisition driven by deep passion rather than mere display.
His collection further includes iconic models such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Richard Mille tourbillons, and Hublot Big Bangs—timepieces that auction houses compete for and collectors await for years.
Fashion Infused with Sentiment
This phase in Badshah's journey distinguishes itself from typical celebrity luxury narratives. It is not about amassing brands for social media validation but stems from genuine curiosity and a desire to decelerate in an era dominated by speed. In an industry where trends evolve rapidly and hype diminishes quickly, Badshah appears attracted to objects that require months or even years to materialize.
There is a poetic resonance in this inclination: the artist known for crafting rapid beats and viral anthems now fantasizes about creating machines that tick softly for decades. Whether he will ultimately pursue watchmaking in Switzerland remains uncertain, but the mere contemplation speaks volumes about evolving perspectives on fashion and luxury.
It signifies a shift towards less ostentation and greater substance. In Badshah's instance, it serves as a reminder that behind every high-profile purchase, there may reside a collector who has genuinely fallen in love with the essence of time itself.
