In a move that highlights the evolving luxury culture of Silicon Valley, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has ordered seven custom-made Swiss watches from the independent horology brand Vanguart. The total value of the order is estimated to exceed €1 million, with six pieces intended for senior OpenAI executives and the seventh for Altman himself.
Technology Meets High Horology
The watches are based on Vanguart’s "Orb" model, crafted from titanium, with prices starting at approximately $180,000. However, this specific order includes unique elements directly tied to OpenAI's mission. The pieces feature custom engravings of industry-defining phrases such as "COMPUTE IS DESTINY" and "SCALING."
The most striking feature is the inclusion of Python code on the case back. Specifically, the inscription reads:
if agi_is_aligned: deploy()This is a clear reference to the critical challenge of aligning Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with human values before deployment.
A New Status Symbol in Silicon Valley
Altman’s purchase is part of a broader trend. According to the Wall Street Journal, rare and personalized watches have become the new symbols of power for the tech elite. Employees at giants like Google, Palantir, and Facebook have previously organized limited-edition runs of watches, such as a prior series of 400 Tudor watches for OpenAI staff featuring the phrase "Good Research Takes Time."
However, Altman’s Vanguart pieces occupy a different tier of exclusivity. Vanguart, founded in 2017, has produced fewer than 200 watches in total. The Orb model is distinguished by its open architecture, allowing the wearer to view the complex mechanical movement, blending traditional Swiss craftsmanship with a futuristic aesthetic that mirrors OpenAI’s philosophy.
