OpenAI CEO Sam Altman commissioned 7 OpenAI-themed watches from Swiss independent watchmaker Vanguart, with 1 retained by himself and the remaining 6 reportedly given to core personnel of the company. The series is based on the Vanguart Orb, with a starting price of approximately $180,000 for the regular version.

The watch dial features the OpenAI logo, and the rotor is engraved with "COMPUTE IS DESTINY"; the crown button is engraved with "SCALING". These elements embed OpenAI's current narrative on computing power expansion and large-scale training into the mechanical watch structure.

The case back is inscribed with Python syntax "if AGI.aligned: deploy()". Vanguart Chairman Mehmet Koruturk stated that the design aims to express that artificial intelligence should serve peaceful purposes, with the inscription making AGI alignment a prerequisite for deployment.

Vanguart has produced fewer than 200 watches to date, and they are sold in the U.S. through only one jewelry retailer. About one-third of the company's 33 employees participated in the making of these 7 custom watches, indicating that its production system mainly serves extremely low-volume, highly customized orders.

Altman has previously been seen wearing a Swiss Greubel Forsey watch valued at approximately $650,000. This Vanguart order is not the first instance of OpenAI launching internal custom watches: the company had previously commissioned a batch of Tudor watches engraved with "Good Research Takes Time".

High-end independent watchmakers do not sell standardized timepieces but rather scarce production capacity, design participation rights, and identity recognition rights. Vanguart gains high-margin custom projects and brand exposure related to OpenAI; OpenAI internally receives exclusive gifts and organizational symbols, while regular luxury watch buyers find it difficult to obtain the same level of customization and limited configurations.

Source: Public Information