Sam Altman commissions seven custom OpenAI branded Vanguart watches

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly commissioned seven custom Swiss watches from the watchmaker Vanguart. The timepieces are based on the Vanguart Orb, a titanium model with a starting price of approximately $180,000.

One watch was reportedly made for Altman, while the remaining six were gifted to other OpenAI employees. The custom pieces feature OpenAI branding and inscriptions related to the company’s artificial intelligence strategy. Notable engravings include “COMPUTE IS DESTINY” and “SCALING,” as well as a programming-style reference on the back: “if AGI. aligned: deploy()”. According to Vanguart co-founder Axel Leuenberger, this inscription refers to the concept of using AI for peaceful purposes.

The project was significant for the Swiss watchmaker, with roughly one-third of Vanguart’s 33 employees working on the seven-piece order. Vanguart is an extremely rare brand, having produced fewer than 200 watches in total.