The faint light of the Los Angeles dawn filtered through the armored windows of the matte black Tesla Cybertruck. Inside, the air was almost sterilely quiet, broken only by the gentle hum of the climate control and the steady breathing of the man in the back seat.

Elon Musk.

He never slept enough, but when he woke up, the world woke up with him. As the head of multiple companies shaping the future—from space, electric vehicles, to artificial intelligence—his every moment was a strategic calculation. And in that constantly moving world, the five most expensive items he carried were not merely possessions. They were declarations.

I, his close aide and logistics manager for ten years, have witnessed this ritual countless times.

1. The Watch of Vision: The “Starman” Special Edition Timepiece ($250,000+)

The first item, usually worn on his right wrist—where he habitually glanced when deep in thought—was a peculiar watch. It wasn’t a classic Patek Philippe. It was a “Starman” Special Edition Watch, crafted from aerospace-grade titanium with a dial that simulated the Martian orbital path.

Its value transcends its six-figure price tag: it is his anchor of vision.

“It’s not for telling Earth time,” Musk once told me. “It’s a reminder that every decision, every meeting, every line of code written today, is serving a goal light years away. It measures the time left until we become a multi-planetary civilization.”

Every time he touched it, I knew he was weighing something far beyond the current financial quarter. It was the patience required to see through decades of chaos.

2. The “Clean Black” Mobile Phone ($100,000+)

You would never find Musk using the latest iPhone. His phone was an ultra-customized machine, often referred to as the “Black Box.” Its exterior was reinforced carbon fiber, but the true expense lay in the software and security.

Developed by an internal security engineering team, this phone was a digital fortress. It featured encryption and anti-eavesdropping protocols that exceeded government standards. It contained not only classified information about SpaceX and Neuralink but also sensitive personal data that was a constant target for rival governments and hackers.

Its true value is protection. It ensures that, no matter where he is—from Berlin to Boca Chica—his Vision remains secure. Losing this phone would not just be losing an asset; it would be a national security disaster for his future endeavors.

3. The Cybertruck “Shock-Proof” Key Fob Casing ($50,000+)

Though it may seem trivial, the key fob for the Cybertruck he habitually drives is no ordinary item. It is encased in a shell of carbon polymer and rare metals, not only water- and fire-resistant but also highly resistant to electromagnetic shock.

This key fob represents a zero-tolerance policy toward vulnerability.

Musk isn’t just driving; he’s testing and promoting technologies. This key fob must survive every test, every harsh environment, and every potential glitch a prototype might encounter. The cost to customize it with such extreme features is immense, but it is the cost of ensuring that the captain can always start his vessel under any conditions.

4. The “Optimal Tracking” Smart Ring ($30,000+)

You rarely see him wearing a traditional ring. Instead, on his ring finger is a minimalist, simple Smart Ring. It is an in-house, customized version, unavailable for purchase.

This ring does not measure conventional heart rate. It is a sophisticated medical device, continuously monitoring critical biometrics, especially sleep quality, cortisol levels (stress hormone), and micro-variations in heart rhythm to predict health issues before they manifest.

This is the most expensive item tied to personal survival. Given his insane schedule and immense pressure, the ring is the last line of defense against burnout. It serves as a stark reminder that even the machine requires rest.

5. The Leather Bag of Unfinished Schematics ($700,000+)

The most expensive item, whose estimated value far surpasses all the others, looks the least technological: an old, handcrafted leather satchel. The material cost of the bag is negligible, but what it holds is priceless.

Inside are not cash or legal files, but his raw sketches, hand-drawn diagrams, and incomplete notes. This is the repository of his Creative Thinking in Progress. It might hold a rough drawing of a new tunnel from The Boring Company, an algorithmic formula for X, or a propulsion module for Starship.

The value of this bag is immeasurable. Losing it would mean losing hundreds of billions of dollars in potential value and, more importantly, losing the next step in the evolution of his companies. It is a reminder that no matter how advanced the technology, The Idea remains king.

As Musk stood up, the sun fully caught the face of the “Starman” watch, creating a blinding reflection. He adjusted the leather satchel, checked his phone, and quietly departed.

These five most expensive items are not ostentation. They are burdens, constant reminders of the responsibility to shape the future—a weight only this man dares to carry with him everywhere he goes. And that is why, every day, he takes another step, with Mars in his eye and the future of humanity in his grasp.