Carmelo Anthony -- Check Out This $565,000 Watch!!! (Update)

File Under: "It's GREAT to be Rich" .... 'cause Carmelo Anthony just strapped on a brand new watch ... worth $565,000!!!!!!

Melo just posted the timepiece on Instagram ... and now, we've learned why -- it's a super limited Greubel Forsey ... one of the most popular brands with hardcore watch collectors.

So, why's the watch so valuable? It's not loaded with gold or diamonds ... it's what's under the hood -- precision mechanics. Plus, the 3D globe on the watch took the company 18 months to develop.

It's not like Melo can't afford it -- the guy's in the middle of a 5 year $124 MILLION contract.

1:01 PM PT -- Turns out, Anthony didn't buy the watch ... yet ... but he's VERY interested in it.

Here's the deal, Carmelo is a partner in Haute Time -- a luxury lifestyle website/magazine ... and last night, he organized an event for 15 ultra-wealthy collectors to check out and try on some exclusive Greubel Forsey pieces.