I don’t really follow basketball, and the watches of ballers generally seem to tread on diamond-encrusted monostrosities that most watch enthusiasts steer very clear from, but in the case of Kobe Bryant that is a very different case .

So what gave the L.A. Lakers a taste of class?

Well it seems as though on May 20, 2008 Kobe had a moment of generosity when he surprised each one of his teammates with one of these:

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph – 1758470 Gents Watch

Yes it seems as though Kobe had the realization that without his teammates he would not be in the position he was in and surprised each and every one of his teammates with a personally engraved Jaeger LeCoultre watch.

As a watch brand Jaeger LeCoultre are rooted deep in the watchmaking tradition and have a history that goes well into the 19th century. They are most famed for their Reverso series of watches and gets a ton of respect from your humble presenter.

My being a fan of durable watches able to withstand the next nuclear holocaust makes me pass on considering this brand as a purchase, but for now the L.A. Lakers have just ascended to a higher class. That’s for sure!