At His First Met Gala, Dwayne Johnson Wears a $3.3 Million Diamond Watch and a Pleated Skirt Inspired by Polynesian Culture

Key facts

• Dwayne Johnson attended his first Met Gala on May 4, 2026, wearing a custom Thom Browne ensemble with a pleated skirt.
• The skirt was inspired by Polynesian culture, where Johnson said 'the most masculine men' wear lavalavas or skirts.
• Johnson wore a Jacob & Co. Billionaire III watch valued at $3.3 million, set with 714 white diamonds totaling 129.61 carats.
• Only 18 pieces of the Billionaire III exist; price is available upon request.
• The watch measures 54mm wide, with a movement 40.05mm across, significantly larger than typical men's watches (36-40mm).
• Johnson's stylist Ilaria Urbinati said the watch's massive size complements his stature, calling him 'the only person who could pull off that size.'
• The Met Gala theme was 'Fashion is Art'; Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour co-chaired the event.
• Johnson previously spoke about masculinity at CinemaCon 2026, stating that 'real masculinity' means empowering women.

A Red Carpet Debut That Defies Expectations

Dwayne Johnson made his first appearance at the Met Gala on Monday night, arriving on the red carpet in a bold Thom Browne tailcoat and matching pleated skirt, hand-in-hand with his wife, Lauren Hashian. The ensemble, which included a bow tie and over 350 meters of hand-pleated silk ribbons in a skeletal composition, was designed to challenge preconceptions about what a man of his physique can wear. Johnson told journalists that he felt 'great' in the skirt, explaining that the look was partly inspired by Polynesian culture, where 'the most masculine men' wear lavalavas or skirts. 'First, [Thom Browne's team] sent the illustrations over and [asked], "Hey, is Deej going to be cool with this pleated skirt?" And I was like, "Look, in our culture, Polynesian culture, we rock lavalavas, we rock skirts." The most masculine men, not that I'm one of them, but the most masculine men wear lavalavas and skirts,' he said.

A Watch That Commands Presence: The Jacob & Co. Billionaire III

Complementing his attire was one of the most expensive watches ever worn on the Met Gala steps: a Jacob & Co. Billionaire III valued at $3.3 million. The timepiece, made from 18-carat white gold, is a rectangular skeleton watch entirely covered in diamonds—77 in the case, 76 in the inner ring, 57 on the movement bridges, and 504 across the bracelet, totaling 714 diamonds weighing 129.61 carats. At 54 millimeters wide, the watch dwarfs typical men's pieces, which generally range from 36 to 40mm. Even its movement measures 40.05mm, larger than most complete watches. Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co., called the Billionaire III 'the crown jewel of Jacob & Co., a true masterpiece, created for those who command presence at the highest level.' Only 18 pieces exist, and the price is available only upon request.

The Stylist's Strategy: Leaning Into Johnson's Stature

Johnson's longtime stylist, Ilaria Urbinati, said the watch was chosen to lean directly into the actor's mammoth build. 'It's literally massive,' Urbinati said of the Billionaire III, 'and I feel like Dwayne is the only person who could pull off that size.' She noted that watches have always been central to Johnson's red carpet looks, and that his choices attract a specific audience: 'It's the guys at the gym, the big, bulky guys... I think that has influence.' Urbinati also revealed that Johnson has been actively improving his watch collection, moving from Panerai to a 'root beer' Rolex. The Billionaire III represents a significant escalation, though Urbinati declined to speculate on how he might top it next time.

A Tradition of Extravagance: The Billionaire at the Met Gala

The Jacob & Co. Billionaire has become a recurring fixture on the Met Gala red carpet. In 2023, Usher wore a $5 million version covered in 147.65 carats of rubies. Last year, Maluma sported a model doused in emeralds. Johnson's white-diamond iteration is the 'cleanest of the bunch,' according to observers, and continues the tradition of horological flexing at the event. The watch's original Billionaire timepiece from 2016 featured 656 diamonds; the Billionaire III ups that count to 714, reflecting Jacob & Co.'s drive to push boundaries. Arabo described seeing the watch on Johnson as 'a powerful expression of what we do best.'

Redefining Masculinity On and Off the Red Carpet

Johnson's Met Gala appearance is not his first public statement on masculinity. At CinemaCon 2026, while promoting Disney's live-action 'Moana,' he told the crowd that 'real masculinity' for men of all ages means empowering the women in their lives. 'The hero of our story is not a princess. She's a warrior,' Johnson said, adding that his role as Maui is to guide and empower the titular heroine. 'All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That's what real masculinity looks like.' These comments, combined with his Met Gala look, position Johnson as a figure actively redefining traditional gender norms in the public eye.

The Night's Broader Context: Co-Chairs and Host Committee

The 2026 Met Gala, themed 'Fashion is Art,' was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The host committee, headed by Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, included Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A'ja Wilson, and Yseult. Johnson's choice to wear a skirt on this high-profile stage—and to explicitly link it to his Polynesian heritage—adds a layer of cultural significance to an event already known for its fashion-forward statements.

What Comes Next: The Unanswered Question

With Johnson's first Met Gala now in the books, the question lingers: how will he top this combination of sartorial and horological audacity? His stylist noted that his watch choices consistently generate media coverage, and the Billionaire III has set a new benchmark. Whether Johnson will continue to push boundaries at future events—or whether this marks a peak—remains to be seen. For now, the actor has made a clear statement: on fashion's biggest night, he is willing to challenge norms, celebrate his heritage, and wear a $3.3 million watch that only he can pull off.

The bottom line

• Dwayne Johnson made his Met Gala debut in a custom Thom Browne tailcoat and pleated skirt, citing Polynesian culture where 'the most masculine men' wear skirts.
• He wore a Jacob & Co. Billionaire III watch worth $3.3 million, set with 714 diamonds totaling 129.61 carats; only 18 pieces exist.
• The watch, at 54mm, is significantly larger than typical men's watches and was chosen to complement Johnson's physique.
• Johnson has previously spoken about masculinity, advocating for empowering women, which aligns with his Met Gala statement.
• The Jacob & Co. Billionaire has become a recurring Met Gala tradition, with previous versions worn by Usher and Maluma.
• The 2026 Met Gala was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with a host committee including numerous celebrities.