Terrace Martin doesn't collect watches like a producer chasing trends. He collects them like the jazz musicians who shaped him, smaller, lighter, and with stories that mean something. The multi-Grammy nominated saxophonist and producer, best known for his work on Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly," has built a focused, all-Rolex collection that leans heavily on the Daytona line, anchored by a rare Daytona 6263 "Big Red" that GQ named the best watch of the 2026 Grammys. From a vintage Submariner bought just before his Grammy debut to a yellow gold Paul Newman that paved the way to Big Red, here's a complete breakdown of his publicly photographed collection, valued at approximately $309,000.
Jump to a section
Rolex Daytona "Big Red" 6263
Authentic Big Red 6263 examples are notoriously difficult to find in fully original condition, distinguished by the bold red "Daytona" text printed above the 6 o'clock subdial. Many 6263s on the market today carry service replacement "Little Red" dials that command significantly less. Terrace purchased this piece directly from WatchGuys CEO Robertino Altieri following his My Collection feature, then wore it to the 2026 Grammys, where GQ named it best watch of the night.
Rolex Daytona "Ghost" 126519LN
Released in 2023, the Ghost is one of the quietest references in the modern Rolex catalog, an 18k white gold Daytona with a silver dial and matching subdials that nearly disappear under direct light. Terrace wore it during his WatchGuys interview and credits the Oysterflex strap with making the white gold case wearable for long performance sets. As a saxophonist, weight on the wrist matters, and the strap configuration shaves serious grams compared to the bracelet version.
Rolex Daytona 116519 white racing dial
This 2013 Daytona served as Terrace's gateway into the line that would eventually lead him to the Big Red. The white racing dial with red accents pairs beautifully with the black leather strap configuration he favors, a more relaxed take than the typical bracelet setup. The 18k white gold case gives the watch a stealth feel that fits Terrace's understated approach to flexing.
Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" 116528
This 2008 yellow gold Daytona is a neo-vintage reference that helped reshape Terrace's view of the model line. The red accents on the dial echo the design DNA that runs through the original Big Red, and the 18k yellow gold case lends a warmth that steel sport models simply cannot match. Owning the 116528 made the eventual jump to the vintage 6263 inevitable.
Own a Rolex Daytona like Terrace Martin's?
Authenticated in-house, free insured shipping, no obligation
Vintage Rolex Submariner 16610
The 16610 was Rolex's standard production Submariner from 1989 through 2010, a defining era for the model. Terrace's 1995 example is his most cherished piece, purchased just before his Grammy debut performing with Kendrick Lamar. The partially hollow construction common to this generation keeps the watch remarkably light on the wrist, an underrated detail for a working musician who spends hours holding a saxophone.
Own a Rolex Submariner like Terrace Martin's?
Authenticated in-house, free insured shipping, no obligation
Rolex GMT-Master II "Batman" 126710BLNR
The Batman, named for its blue and black ceramic Cerachrom bezel, has been one of the most in-demand modern Rolex sport watches since its release. Terrace owns one, but candidly admits it is not among his favorites. He prefers references with more niche appeal, and finds the Batman too widely distributed to feel personal.
Own a Rolex GMT-Master II like Terrace Martin's?
Authenticated in-house, free insured shipping, no obligation
Rolex Day-Date "President" 18038
The 36mm 18k yellow gold Day-Date with champagne dial is one of the most iconic dress watch silhouettes Rolex has ever produced. This 1994 example carries personal weight for Terrace, who associates it with his late friend Nipsey Hussle. Drawing inspiration from jazz icons like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, Terrace prefers the 36mm proportions, classical, restrained, and timeless.
Own a Rolex Day-Date like Terrace Martin's?
Authenticated in-house, free insured shipping, no obligation
What his collection tells us
Terrace Martin's collection reflects the same restraint that defines his music. Where many producers and recording artists build watch portfolios around iced-out cases and oversized statement pieces, Terrace gravitates toward the opposite, vintage proportions, partially hollow construction, smaller dials. The collection reads like a love letter to the saxophonists and pianists of the 1950s and 1960s, men who wore their watches under shirt cuffs and let the sound speak louder than the metal.
Compared to peers in hip-hop and R&B, Terrace's collection sits in a quieter lane. Where artists like Drake, Travis Scott, and Jay-Z chase six and seven figure rarities (often custom or one-of-one), Terrace's most expensive piece sits comfortably under $130,000 and his most cherished is a sub-$10,000 vintage Submariner. That combination, restraint plus reverence for vintage, is more common among collector dealers than working musicians.
This is a collection built on intent, not impulse. Every reference connects to a specific moment, his first Grammy performance, his first Daytona, the friend he lost. As vintage Rolex prices continue to climb and the market keeps rewarding original-condition pieces, Terrace's collection looks less like a producer's flex and more like a quiet appreciation portfolio that will only gain weight with time.
More celebrity watch collections
Keep exploring the watches on the wrists of the world's biggest names.
Terrace Martin watch collection FAQ
What is the most expensive watch in Terrace Martin's collection?
The Rolex Daytona "Big Red" 6263, purchased from WatchGuys CEO Robertino Altieri, with an approximate market value of $125,000. His second most expensive piece is the Rolex Daytona "Ghost" 126519LN in 18k white gold, valued at approximately $58,000.
How much is Terrace Martin's entire watch collection worth?
Terrace Martin's publicly photographed Rolex collection is valued at approximately $309,000 across seven references. Private holdings or future acquisitions could push that figure significantly higher, particularly given his preference for rare vintage Daytona references.
Where can I buy a watch like Terrace Martin's?
WatchGuys carries authenticated pre-owned and vintage examples of nearly every reference in Terrace Martin's collection, including the Rolex Daytona 6263, Daytona 126519LN "Ghost", Daytona 116519, Daytona 116528, Submariner 16610, GMT-Master II 126710BLNR "Batman", and Day-Date 18038. Browse our inventory or contact a representative for help sourcing a specific reference.
Shop authenticated luxury watches at WatchGuys
Pre-owned and unworn watches from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and Jacob & Co. Every watch authenticated in-house, backed by our 2-year warranty.
