Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Young Thug spotted wearing Franck Muller

Young Thug — born Jeffery Lamar Williams — was recently spotted wearing the Franck Muller Vanguard Encrypto on his wrist, a timepiece that sits at the crossroads of Swiss watchmaking tradition and cryptocurrency culture. The sighting fits the Atlanta rapper's well-documented taste for avant-garde luxury, and this particular reference is one of the more conceptually ambitious pieces to emerge from a mainstream Swiss manufacture in recent memory.

The Franck Muller Vanguard Encrypto references the brand's signature Vanguard tonneau case, here rendered in grade 2 titanium at 41mm — a material choice that delivers exceptional corrosion resistance and a near-featherweight feel on the wrist despite the watch's bold proportions. The black DLC-treated case is complemented by green accents on the crown, strap stitching, and bezel inserts, giving the piece a distinctly urban, tech-forward aesthetic. The perforated rubber strap with green contrast stitching reinforces the sporty positioning.

The real talking point is the dial. Dominating the centre is a large Bitcoin logo rendered in polished steel, surrounded by the inscription 'Free The Money. Free The World' — a phrase with obvious resonance in crypto-libertarian circles. Most remarkably, the upper portion of the dial features a functional QR code: a scannable gateway to an actual Bitcoin wallet pre-loaded at point of sale. It is, to this journalist's knowledge, the first Swiss luxury watch to integrate live blockchain functionality into its design DNA rather than treating crypto as mere cosmetic inspiration.

Limited to 500 pieces globally, the Vanguard Encrypto occupies an interesting position for collectors. It is neither a traditional complications piece nor a straightforward sport watch — it is a cultural artefact with a movement inside. The Franck Muller Vanguard Encrypto V 45 SC DT uses an automatic movement with date display, visible at 6 o'clock. Collectibility is driven more by its conceptual novelty and production cap than by movement prestige.

At a retail price of $10,700 USD, the Vanguard Encrypto punches into accessible luxury territory for a piece this culturally specific. On the grey market, examples trade close to retail given the limited run and sustained celebrity visibility. Young Thug's endorsement — intentional or not — adds another chapter to this watch's story.