Luxury Watch Collection of King Mswati III

Welcome to my blog post highlighting the watch collection of King Mswati III. Renowned as a world leader and the reigning monarch of Eswatini, King Mswati III has a fondness for luxury timepieces that has drawn international curiosity. 

His affection for exquisite watches, shared by his extensive royal family, including his 15 wives (two of which are state-appointed as per his polygamous tradition), embellishes their regal presence with a touch of opulence.

Despite this extravagance, there is considerable criticism as this affluence starkly contrasts with the challenging living conditions prevalent in their homeland, Eswatini. 

The royal family's lavish lifestyle is frequently showcased on various media platforms, creating a disconnect between the monarchy and the struggles of the common people, hence sparking discontent among many observers.

King Mswati III has always had a penchant for exquisite timepieces, and his collection of Jacob and Co watches stands as a testament to his discerning taste. 

Let's start with the Brilliant Skeleton Tourbillon Ruby, a piece by Jacob and Co typically designed for women, but its mesmerizing elegance and bold design transcend gender confines. 

This exceptional timepiece features a 44mm 18K gold case, inner bezel, and crown, all painstakingly encrusted with 14 baguette-cut red rubies. The crown's pièce de résistance is a rose-cut ruby delicately placed at the top, culminating in a glorious exhibition of craftsmanship.

This Jacob and Co watch is a beautiful example of the artistry inherent in skeletonized timepieces. Doing away with traditional dials, the Brilliant Skeleton Tourbillon Ruby opens up its inner workings for all to admire. 

The watch's front and back are encased in anti-reflective sapphire crystals, showcasing the intricately skeletonized movement within. Every component stands proudly on display, from wheels and gears to balance, bridges, and the mainspring barrel, baring the watch's horological soul.

Leaf-shaped hands in the center, seemingly floating over the mechanical marvel, unobtrusively indicate the hours and minutes, preserving the unadulterated view of the watch's fascinating inner world.

Retail price: $900,000

King Mswati III of Eswatini, who is polygynous with 15 wives, sports a Jacob & Co. Billionaire ‘Ashoka’ watch, boasting 302 emerald-cut baguette diamonds set in 18k white gold. This timepiece epitomizes high jewelry with its one-minute tourbillon, featuring a black mirror polished upper cage and hand-polished edges, that meets the splendor of the diamond-studded exterior.

This watch's tourbillon, housing key components, is meticulously assembled and fine-tuned, promising accurate timekeeping over a 72-hour power reserve. The accompanying 18K white gold bracelet, hand-set with 252 Ashoka-cut white diamonds, is a masterpiece in itself that seamlessly extends the case's setting.

Retail price: $3,000,000.

DJ Khaled also has this stunner in his watch collection. 

Another striking timepiece in King Mswati III's collection is the Jacob and Co. Brilliant Art Deco Blue Sapphire watch, and this is also for women. 

This model, part of the Brilliant Skeleton Collection, features a 44mm 18K gold case, inner bezel, and crown. All are meticulously adorned with baguette-cut precious stones, and a rose-cut gemstone beautifully crowns the piece.

The brilliance of this watch extends beyond its external allure. Its skeletonized design provides an open vista into the heart of the timepiece, exposing its intricate inner workings. 

Anti-reflective sapphire crystals cover both the front and back, laying bare the details of the movement – the wheels, gears, balance, bridges, and the barrel. Instead of traditional dials, the highest quality sapphire crystals reveal the mechanical marvel beneath. Leaf-shaped hands, hovering over this spectacle, denote the hours and minutes, contributing to the ethereal beauty of this luxury timepiece.

Retail price: $750,000.

The Ghost watch, hailing from Jacob and Co., revisits the iconic Five Time Zone model with a modern twist, incorporating quartz precision and a digital LCD display. Housed in a 47mm black PVD stainless steel case, the watch uses Swiss-made quartz movement to display the time in five global cities. A distinctively customizable LCD screen exhibits a spectrum of color options, marking a bold evolution in digital watchmaking.

Ensuring ultimate precision, the Ghost watch synchronizes five city displays after setting the Greenwich Mean Time and date. It intelligently adjusts for Daylight Savings Time and Leap Years. The chosen home time is displayed at the three o'clock position, and four other city times can be selected from 20 pre-set options. Offering a choice of seven colors for the LCD displays, the Ghost is activated with a single pusher at 3 o'clock, blending luxury with convenience.

Retail price: $24,800.

Just like the football player Cristiano Ronaldo, King Mswati III has the Jacob and Co 'The Grand Baguette Diamond.'

It has five dials that track multiple time zones. It is 47mm wide and pentagonally shaped. A million dollars is a lot of money. This Ronaldo watch comes with 761 diamonds adorning the case and dial! Yes, I wrote 761, it was not a typo. 

Can you imagine how shiny this limited to six pieces watch can be? Perfect for any world explorer, this futuristic timepiece features a uniquely styled, five time zone dial indicating the hour of the home location and the time in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Paris. 

Last known price: $1,000,000.

The king possesses a timepiece akin to the one owned by renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo: the Rolex GMT Master II Diamond 116758SARU. 

This exceptional model showcases a bezel adorned with a captivating color scheme reminiscent of the iconic Pepsi bezel, yet with a unique twist—sapphires, rubies, and diamonds bedeck its surface. Additionally, this model's lugs and crown guards are elegantly embellished with diamonds. 

What sets this model apart from Ronaldo's watch is its extraordinary feature—a pavé diamond dial, adding an extra touch of opulence and distinction. 

Market price (May 2023): ~$220,000.

In the picture we can see one of his daughters, Princess Tiyandza, wears the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116598 SACO "Leopard." 

It is a horological work of art that exudes unparalleled grandeur and elegance. Crafted from 18K yellow gold, it's an exceptional piece in the Rolex lineup, perfect for those with an affinity for opulent wristwear. 

The watch's unique attribute lies in its vibrant leopard print dial, which immediately draws attention and makes a bold statement. Its distinct aesthetics and premium quality materials exemplify the epitome of luxury, making it a timepiece truly deserving of royal attention.

Further enhancing the allure of the "Leopard" is its captivating bezel, adorned with 36 cognac baguette sapphires. The rich hue of the sapphires creates a striking contrast with the golden case, augmenting the watch's aesthetic appeal. 

Market price: ~$140,000.

Actor Nicolas Cage and singer DJ Khaled also possess this timepiece.