‘IYKYK?’: Tom Brady flaunts $482,985 AP watch as Alix Earle’s dad jokes about St. Barts rumors

Tom Brady posted a close-up of his wrist on Instagram over the weekend, and he made the caption do the talking. The retired quarterback wrote, “IYKYK,” as he showed off an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar that was reported to be worth about $482,985.Hours later, the Alix Earle dating chatter got fresh oxygen from her own family circle. Her stepmom posted a TikTok that included a joke from her father, and the timing did Brady no favors as New Year’s Eve clips in St. Barths kept circulating.Brady’s Instagram story drew attention because the watch was not subtle. Ankita Yadav reported the piece was an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, valued around $482,985, with a ceramic case, a blue dial under sapphire crystal, and a blue ceramic strap.The post hit right after Brady worked as a FOX Sports broadcaster during the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game. He also made headlines for a tight end comparison during that broadcast. Brady called Bears rookie Colston Loveland “a little mini Gronk,” referencing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski. Chicago lost 19-16.Brady also posted a longer New Year’s message last week, and he did it in the same reflective tone he tends to use when he is not talking football. He wrote, "Happy new year to you all… For me, The end of the year always helps to put things into perspective. Growth doesn’t really happen unless you’re willing to challenge yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s something I try to live by and keep coming back to as I learn more with each passing year," while sharing photos that included his kids.On Monday, Jan. 5, Jackie Longo reported that Earle’s stepmother, Ashley Earle, posted a TikTok while getting ready in a blue velvet blazer that belonged to her husband, Thomas “TJ” Earle. TJ leaned into the Brady buzz in the clip. He said, “I actually got that jacket because I saw Tom Brady wearing one like that,” and when Ashley pressed him, he doubled down with, “I swear to God," then Ashley told him she was not “cutting” the comment out.The jokes landed because the original rumor wave already had video behind it. Longo reported that a video obtained by “TMZ” showed Earle rubbing Brady’s back and whispering in his ear at a St. Barths nightclub on New Year’s Eve. Longo also cited a source speaking to "Us Weekly" who claimed, “Alix and Tom were together the entire night on New Year’s Eve partying at a party hosted by Palm Tree Crew in St. Barths,” and added, “They met through mutual friends who were also in St. Barths and had an instant connection. There was a lot of chemistry between them.”That same source also tried to lower the temperature, saying, "It’s nothing serious between her and Tom,” and, “They were together laughing, dancing and partying, enjoying themselves.” Longo noted Earle recently split from Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Berrios and reported she is not looking for anything serious right now.Earle did not directly address Brady by name in her own post, but she did nod at the moment online. She wrote, "Rumor has it we're still dancing," and added, "new friends, new memories, and new beginnings to start of the new year :) words can't describe how amazing this trip was."