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‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch History
The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
“Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches” was written by Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang, and Tobias Kargoll. (Image credit: Million Dollar Hop Hop Watches, teNeues 2025)
New York—"Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches,” a coffee table book following the history of timepieces in the hip-hop world as a symbol of hard-earned success, is debuting in the U.S. next month.
The book is a “journey into the soul of hip-hop, revealing the deep emotional ties between a revolutionary culture and the timepieces that have become its most potent symbols,” it said.
It explores watches worn by rappers including 2Pac, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, MC Lyte, Rema, and Missy Elliott.
The book not only features these artists but discusses what it meant for them to own, wear, and include the watches in their music.
The book highlights the influence of brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and even Casio’s G-Shock.
Throughout its 320 pages, there are more than 300 color photographs of the rappers and their watches.
The 23 chapters progress from the defiant style of the 1970s to the “Quartz Era” of the 1980s, the “Golden Age of Hip-Hop” in the 1990s, and the changing of the dial in the 2000s.
The book is a “journey into the soul of hip-hop, revealing the deep emotional ties between a revolutionary culture and the timepieces that have become its most potent symbols,” it said.
It explores watches worn by rappers including 2Pac, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, MC Lyte, Rema, and Missy Elliott.
The book not only features these artists but discusses what it meant for them to own, wear, and include the watches in their music.
The book highlights the influence of brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and even Casio’s G-Shock.
Throughout its 320 pages, there are more than 300 color photographs of the rappers and their watches.
The 23 chapters progress from the defiant style of the 1970s to the “Quartz Era” of the 1980s, the “Golden Age of Hip-Hop” in the 1990s, and the changing of the dial in the 2000s.
Lil Yachty wearing a customized Rolex Day-Date in 18-karat yellow gold (Image credit: David Cabrera, Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches, teNeues 2025)
Rick Ross wearing a 41mm white gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch (Image credit: David Cabrera, Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches, teNeues 2025)
"Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches” starts where hip-hop began in the streets of The Bronx in New York City.
It recounts the story of 2Pac supposedly gifting The Notorious B.I.G. his first Rolex.
The book also explores the “Five Time Zone” watch created by Jacob Arabo, also known as Jacob the Jeweler, of Jacob & Co. The “groundbreaking” timepiece ushered in the “Ice Age” of watches covered in diamonds.
“This book isn’t just about watches; it’s about the dreams, struggles, and aspirations etched into every glittering facet,” said the book.
Timepieces by brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet are seen as not just functional objects but a central expression of identity and status.
The book was written by the editors of the German digital magazine hiphop.de, Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang, and Tobias Kargoll.
Previously, Kargoll has also published his book “Erfolgsformel Hip-Hop,” about the “formula to success” in hip-hop.
"Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches” was published by teNeues Publishing.
It retails for $125 and is available for pre-order at teNeues, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
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