Music mogul and businessman Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) has invested $5 million in Hong Kong-based luxury watch trading platform Wristcheck, Radii reported.
“We are thrilled to welcome legendary 24-time Grammy award-winning artist, business mogul, and fellow watch aficionado JAY-Z on board as an investor of Wristcheck,” the company said in a statement posted on its website.
“As an entrepreneur, JAY-Z has always been an inspiration to me. I remember growing up to his music – his lyrics not only introduced me to watch brands like Audemars Piguet, but also fueled my love for watches even further, as he bridged the gap between watches and pop culture,” Austen Chu, founder & CEO of Wristcheck said.
“As the most influential celebrity watch collector of the 21st century and a certified G.O.A.T, his support carries immense weight both personally and professionally. It’s a testament to the trust and community we’ve built, and marks a major milestone in cementing Wristcheck as the go-to platform for watch enthusiasts worldwide,” he added.
Co-founded by Austen Chu and Sean Wong, Wristcheck allows collectors to buy, sell, and learn about luxurious watches in a bid to create a safe and accessible community for those interested in timepieces. Since its founding in 2020, the watch company has garnered about $13.6 million from backers such as Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners GBA, and K3 Venture, media platform Radii reported.
According to Wristcheck, JAY-Z, also dubbed the godfather of all celebrity watch collectors, has accumulated some of the rarest, most elusive timepieces throughout his career.
With a profound passion for watches and an unrivaled influence in multiple industries spanning decades, JAY-Z is no doubt a visionary who played a crucial role in shaping modern watch culture as we know it today.
“The incredible ecosystem JAY-Z has built at Roc Nation perfectly aligns with what we are building here at Wristcheck – the watch world of tomorrow,” Chu said.
The synergy is undeniable – with shared values of authenticity, innovation, and creative empowerment, we’re beyond excited for the future that lies ahead.