Wrist Check: Bad Bunny Channels Time With a Vintage Cartier Cloche Timepiece at the Met Gala 2026
The rotated dial and gold case echoed his theme of time passing.
Summary
- Bad Bunny returned to the Met Gala this year, portraying himself as elderly, pairing a rare vintage Cartier Cloche with his custom Zara look
- The 18k gold watch features a rotated dial, Roman numerals, blued‑steel hands and sapphire cabochon crown
Bad Bunny has been a fixture on the Met Gala red carpet since his 2022 debut, and this year he returned with one of his most conceptual looks to date. Arriving at the museum steps styled as an elderly version of himself, the Puerto Rican superstar wore a custom Zara ensemble that dramatized the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. To anchor this narrative, he selected a highly specific timepiece from the archives. A serious watch enthusiast, Bad Bunny’s personal collection is famously eclectic: he has worn unusual pieces from prestigious maisons such as Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, while also favoring diminutive, elegant vintage dress watches for formal occasions. For this red carpet, he eschewed modern flash in favor of heritage styling, completing his transformation with a rare vintage Cartier Cloche.
The Cartier Cloche – named for its distinctive “bell” shape – is an eccentric marvel of early 20th‑century design that perfectly suited the artist’s historical homage. The archival reference he wore stems from a highly sought‑after 1996 limited release, capped at just 200 pieces worldwide. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, the case frames a dial uniquely rotated 90 degrees, positioning the 12 o’clock mark adjacent to the crown. This ingenious layout was originally conceived so the watch could double as a miniature desk clock when laid on its side. The timepiece features Cartier’s signature hallmarks: crisp black Roman numerals, blued‑steel sword hands, and a sapphire cabochon crown. Together, these details underscore the Cloche’s enduring appeal as both a collector’s treasure and a fitting complement to Bad Bunny’s avant‑garde Met Gala narrative.
