At the peak of his career, Carmelo Anthony walked into every arena draped in oversized chains and iced-out watches. A walking testament to the flashiness of the 2000s NBA era. Rolex, Breitling, custom pendants – Melo had it all, and he wanted the world to see it. But there was one dream he never got to fulfill: wearing a Rolex during a game. “If I could wear a Rollie in the game, I would,” he once said. Now, years after leaving the league, that dream has quietly faded, replaced by something even Melo himself never saw coming.
Over time, Melo’s approach to fashion shifted. It evolved from an obsession with statement pieces to a more understated style. After his dip into the tech industry with the Melo7 Tech Group, the 6x All-Star has expressed a shift in his aesthetic preferences. “When I got in the tech game in the tech industry … I used to go to these meetings, these n—- in there with black Tee’s and gray Tee’s…..They coming to boardroom board meetings (in) sneakers, Jordans…I’m like d—. So, I took that approach. I’m just going to be comfortable as possible,” he told D-Wade and Kazeem Famuyide at 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony. But Melo wasn’t always like this.
During his playing days, he longed to wear one to his games as well. “If I could wear Rollie in the game I’m wearing a Rollie in the game,” Melo told Wide Receiver, DeVonta Smith on his podcast. Unfortunately, as per the NBA safety rules, players aren’t allowed to wear watches or jewelry during games. Well, Melo made up for not getting to wear a Rolex on the court. “I used to have all the chains and s–t. Big Baltimore Ravens chains, Oreo chains…I had all of that big Breitling watches I had Iced Out. I had all of that s–t you get what I’m saying so it’s like I still f–k with it,” he said, mentioning his exploits courtside.
With experience and after all these years, he feels that his style has changed. He now prefers a more minimal look. He added, “As you get older man you like man I just want some fly s–t like I just want something that’s small discreet powerful like it’s about statements at that point.”
May 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks former player Carmelo Anthony stands court side during the fourth quarter of game two of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Melo is right about his collection. He owns a brilliant lineup of watches. From the Rolex Sky-Dweller to the Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher Titanium and the Royal Oak, Carmelo Anthony truly loves his precious watch collection! He also has an impressive sneaker collection.
Melo’s love for Rolex wasn’t just a personal obsession. It became a way to motivate his teammates during his time with the Denver Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony gifted 12 Rolex watches to his teammates
The Denver hadn’t made the playoffs in a decade during the period where Melo played for them. To motivate his former teammates to work hard, the New York Knicks legend promised to give them a Rolex watch if they reached the playoffs.
To his surprise, the Nuggets made the playoffs that year. While the team couldn’t survive the postseason, Melo had to keep his promise. During his conversation with UBS at the House of Craft, he shared the story of having to buy 12 Rolex watches as a gift. He made the purchases from the same Denver store.
Melo frequently wears rare and limited-edition Rolexes on important occasions. The Rolex Day-Date with a bright olive green dial watch was seen on Melo’s wrist during the USA-Serbia Semifinal Game in the Paris Olympics. While he might toned down his style a bit, it remains classic!
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