Mark Zuckerberg's starry watch isn't just the price of a Cybertruck, it's another major step up in his style game

• Days after being seen with a $141,400 Patek Phillipe watch, Mark Zuckerberg has a new piece of wrist candy.
• He was seen sporting a premium De Bethune DB 25 Starry Varius watch during an interview.
• Experts say that the new timepieces are part of his radical style makeover to look more elevated.

Here's the latest sign of Mark Zuckerberg's style evolution — a luxury watch depicting the Milky Way.

The Meta CEO was spotted wearing the rose gold De Bethune DB 25 Starry Varius during an interview with the business podcast "Acquired" on September 10. The podcast aired on Tuesday.

Bryan Li, a watch specialist from the auction company Bonhams, identified the watch and told Business Insider that its production is limited to just 20 pieces annually.

According to the Swiss watchmaker's website, the timepiece features a white and deep blue dial with a spattering of white gold pins depicting the stars. The pins are connected by small Milky Way patterns, gilded with 24-carat gold leaf.

The price of the watch ranges between $90,000 and $95,700, according to watch retailers The 1916 Company and The Hour Glass, respectively.

In comparison, an all-wheel-drive Cybertruck is listed at $99,990, according to Tesla's order page.

This is not the first premium watch Zuckerberg has been spotted wearing. About a week before the "Acquired" interview, he posted a selfie on Instagram with his hand around his wife Priscilla Chan's shoulders.

Watch enthusiasts quickly spotted a Patek Phillipe watch on his wrist and asked Zuckerberg to identify the model. He replied, "5236P," referring to the Patek Philippe Grand Complications In-Line Perpetual Calendar 5236P-001.

According to the watchmaker's website, the watch retails for $141,400.

Zuckerberg's stepping up his style game

Image and brand consultants BI spoke to said that Zuckerberg could have chosen the De Bethune watch to appear more elegant.

"It shows Zuckerberg or someone helped him to choose intentionally the old rich taste to elevate himself," Edith Chan, an image and branding consultant based in Madrid, said.

Joseph Rosenfeld, an image consultant based in New York, told BI that Zuckerberg is "known for his simple, minimalist fashion" — and the starry watch is in line with that.

"It shows a focus on function, not status or style," Rosenfeld said. "His recent style evolution, shown by a love for premium watches and subtle luxury, suggests a shift."

"He's stepping into a role where his appearance reflects his position as a tech innovator," he said.

The consultant also noted that "well-chosen accessories can enhance a leader's presence by adding sophistication "without needing a complete style overhaul."

Carol Davidson, an image consultant based in New York, told BI that Zuckerberg's collection of luxe timepieces appears to track with his evolution from "a more effortless and formulaic look to that of a curated, you-never-know-what-he'll-be-sporting aesthetic."

"Today he's embracing more of an elevated frat-meets-street style vibe," Davison said. "Tomorrow, who knows?"

Zuckerberg's newfound interest in luxury timepieces appears to be the next step in his bold stylistic makeover. The Meta founder has ditched his once-standard array of gray t-shirts and hoodies for shearling brown jackets, gold chains, and other statement pieces.

Interestingly, Zuckerberg's interest in watches might have stemmed from his visit to India when he attended Anant Ambani's pre-wedding party in March.

Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were seen complimenting Ambani's Richard Mille watch in a video circulated on social media.

"You know, I never really wanted to get a watch. But after seeing that, I was like, watches are cool," Zuckerberg said while admiring Ambani's watch.

To be sure, Zuckerberg's style evolution might have less to do with aesthetics and more to do with an intentional strategy to cultivate a relatable and attractive personal image.

"While our company has a special role in the lives of this generation, this is likely particularly important for how I show up because I am the most well-known person of my generation," Zuckerberg wrote in an email to Meta colleagues and then-board member Peter Thiel in January 2020.

Representatives for Zuckerberg at Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular office hours.