The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, better known simply as the Met Gala is a black tie event, typically held on the first Monday in the month of May had to be called off in 2020  and postponed the to the month of September, in 2021 — no prizes for correct answers as to the, why.

The Gala itself, while the event which garners the most eyeballs, is technically the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual exhibit, titled this year: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” The theme will carry on to a part two: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” which will kick off on the first Monday in May of 2022, and therefore a more traditionally timed Met Gala and mark yet another step towards a world in normalcy.

In a statement made by Head Curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City, Andrew Bolton shared his rationale behind the above themes saying, “The main one was the fact that the American fashion community has been supporting us for 75 years, really since the beginning of the Costume Institute, so I wanted to acknowledge its support, and also to celebrate and reflect upon American fashion.”

Bolton shared further, “I think that the emphasis on conscious creativity was really consolidated during the pandemic and the social justice movements. And I’ve been really impressed by American designers’ responses to the social and political climate, particularly around issues of body inclusivity and gender fluidity, and I’m just finding their work very, very self-reflective. I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a Renaissance.”

As the guests arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and made their way past the train of photographers, dressed in their own (in consultation with personal stylist’s) interpretation of Bolton’s theme, the lack of masks and just the amount of people gathered, would have you thinking that we’re truly past this godforsaken season. In reality, the Met Gala’s guest list this year was a third of what it tends to be along with the necessary safety measures in place, such as mandatory vaccinations and Covid testing. Regardless, the Met Gala 2021 can now consider itself that first large scale, social event in the USA and — fingers crossed — several steps towards a true semblance of life as we once knew it.

Switching gears to talking about watches (reminder: Revolution is a Watch Magazine), there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of them on the wrists of guests. And with long relaxed sleeves seeming the choice of the season, even if there were some watches on some wrists, these remained well sheathed as a result during photography. There were the usual suspects: our friend and all round #watchfam, Aldis Hodge who wore a Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique and Pharrell Williams who was wearing what seems to be a blinged out Richard Mille RM 17-01 Manual Winding Tourbillon.

Also managed to spot the all new Marvel heartthrob, Simu Liu with the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar Baguette Jewelry Planets Zodiac, fitted on quite the hard-to-miss red strap. Golden State Warriors’ point guard, Stephen Curry was on site with a stone set Royal Oak. Kid Cudi, surprised by forgoing the big luxury names for his choice of wristwatch, wearing a G-SHOCK from the 6900 series, in pink and, of course, blinged out. The Biebs himself also graced the occasion with an all-gold Rolex Daytona.

Rapper Jack Harlow was on scene with a blue dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller. Soul singer, songwriter and record producer, Leon Bridges was wearing one of Revolution’s favourites, the 2018 Cartier Tank Cintrée in a yellow gold case with champagne dial. LA Laker’s point guard, Russell Westbrook was in attendance with a bejewelled Patek Philippe Nautilus. The Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon was in attendance with a Speedmaster MK II. Corey Gamble got wristchecked by Nick Gould (better known as @niccoloy on IG), wearing a Patek Philippe 5208 perpetual calendar minute repeater. And Canadian tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime, who seemed to be wearing, unmistakably, the TAG Heuer Carrera 160th Montreal Edition.

Of all the wrists we managed to check, for all the wristwatches that remained sheathed under cuffs and also of those wrists that simply didn’t have a watch on, the two wrists that we sure hoped would’ve had something strapped to them are that of US Open Tennis finalists Emma Raducanu and Leylah Annie Fernandez. Both of whom not only performed superbly on the court, but clearly demonstrated star power off the court. And considering as many watch brands that are invested in the sport already, it’s probably a matter of time before either ladies are offered robust ambassadorship deals. Of the few watchmakers we feel would resonate best with both Raducanu and Fernandez, top on the list is without a shadow of a doubt, Rolex.