Tyler, the Creator levels up his watch game

Tyler, the Creator is a patron saint of the cheap watch. For years, the rapper has remained loyal to his $11 Casio, pairing it with his favorite Gucci, Supreme, and Louis Vuitton. His choice put him in good company: Kristen Stewart and John Mayer are also big Casio fans. So it was something of a shock to see the rapper on the People’s Choice Awards red carpet this week with an unfamiliar pink strap and gold square-shaped case. Tyler, it seemed, had gone from Casio to Cartier. Here’s hoping his wrist can get accustomed to crocodile leather after years of plastic. Also this week, golf champs and NBA draftees commemorate the moment with a watch.

Tyler’s watch appears to be one all his own: an older version of the Cartier Santos-Dumont, without the typical exposed screwdowns on the bezel, and with a pink strap attached. It’s a super simple and elegant watch. And if his Casio put Tyler in good company, the Cartier transports him into an elite club. Cartier watches have been worn by everyone from Andy Warhol to Kanye West. Since Cartier’s founding, a trip to the jeweler has been a rite of passage for the wealthy, famous, and—most importantly—transcendently stylish. Tyler fits snugly into the long lineage of other Cartier wearers.

via gq.com