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A Guide To The Best Movie Watches Ever Seen On The Silver Screen

Movie watches don’t tend to be thrown in without there being a reason. After all, these moviemaker types are professionals and product placement is all part of it! Let’s face it we have seen this phenomenon in all its horological glory in 2023 with the smash hit movie that spawned a social media trend all of itself…Barbie.

Featuring a variety of TAG Heuer timepieces, all of which are vintage, the triple wristing Ryan Gosling wears three beautiful Carrera’s, namely the 1158CHM, 2448 NT and the 110.515. All in yellow gold. All vintage from around the 70s. It’s a collectors dream!

From the rough and ready use of the Rolex Submariner in the action packed, Dr No, to the sporty allure of the TAG Heuer Monaco in the 1971 racing movie Le Mans, iconic watches on the silver screen can play a covert role, or be the centre of attention.

This is duly noted by the various gadgets yanked out of watches in James Bond movies like From Russia with Love when he pulls out a garotted wire from his timepiece, and in Thunderball when his Breitling Top Time has an inbuilt Geiger Counter. We’ll have our Martini shaken, not stirred please…

In fact, some watches have become staples of not just one movie, but an entire run! Relating back to the mysterious spy, James Bond, ever since Pierce Brosnan took over Sean Connery in Goldeneye in 1995, The Omega Seamaster have been the movie watches of choice for this suited and booted gent.

However, we would be fools to neglect the role of luxury watches in other movies through the years. Need we mention the opulence of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso on billionaire Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Trilogy, or the TAG Heuer Professional 1000 on the wrist of coked up Jordan Belfort in Wolf of Wall Street.

You’ll need to stop us before this timekeeping list goes on forever! Without further deliberation let’s get straight into the best movie watches ever seen on the silver screen. As Al Pacino once declared in the renowned 1983 movie Scarface…It’s time to say hello to our little friends.

The Wolf Of Wall Street - TAG Heuer Professional 1000

The iconic Wolf of Wall street movie burst onto our screens in 2013.

Boasting hedonism with a healthy dose of suspicion and crime, this movie enjoyed a star studded cast of Leonardo Di-Caprio as Jordan Belfort, Jonah Hill as bumbling Donnie Azoff, Margot Robbie (of Barbie fame!) as Naomi Lapaglia, the partner of Jordan Belfort and Matthew McConaughey as sleazy businessman Mark Hanna.

Of course, the watches had to keep up with the uber plush mansions and private jets so what better than the now discontinued and very famous watches, TAG Heuer Professional 1000.

TAG Heuer Professional 1000

The TAG Heuer Professional 1000 was the saviour of the brand and now owns a place on the most famous movie watches list!

Source: IMDB

Released during the 1970s, the collection helped the brand through the Quartz Crisis and bring back mechanical watches from the depths of horological despair. It set the basis for the highly regarded Aquaracer collection which arrived in 2004!

Available in steel, two-tone, colour coating in black, pewter or green, there were also the luxurious options of gold plating and gold finishes. In this instance, Jordan Belfort is the proud wearer of a gold plated TAG Heuer Professional 1000.

Perfectly suiting the tone of this movie, it is the genuine “made it” timepiece oozing opulence and luxury at its finest. When he throws his model into the braying crowd of money hungry workers in front of Steve Madden? Yep. That’s the watch!

You can no longer buy a TAG Heuer Professional 1000 at retail as they’ve been discontinued, but you can buy it on the secondary market for around £2,500 at the time of writing.

Apollo 13 - Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

Released in 1995, Apollo 13, brought forth another play on the incredible events that take place above our heads in space. Following a disastrous oxygen tank explosion, the entire crew was under threat of imminent death. What can we say aside from “Houston, we have a problem”.

Featuring an illustrious all-star lineup with Tom Hanks as protagonist Jim Lovell, Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert and Bill Paxton as Fred Haise, this is a great movie for space lovers..oh yes and Speedy enthusiasts. As you can imagine, our eyes were fixated by the wristwear of Jim Lovell, The Omega Speedmaster, considered one of the most famous watches on the planet.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

You will all know the Omega Speedmaster if you're a regular reader of ours. If you aren't, welcome and let's get into why this timepiece is so important!

Source: Chuck Maddox

As the only timepiece to flex their timekeeping muscles on all six moon landings, this model has particular importance on the Apollo 13 mission. When the Apollo 13 went up in 1970, it helped the astronauts return to earth safely following a disastrous event of an oxygen tank blowing up. Also worn by Buzz Aldrin in 1969 when he performed the first moon landing, this collection is celestial genius!

This was because the crew relied on the Speedmaster watches to time critical burns which were required for safe re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. In fact, the watch was so crucial, it won a Silver Snoopy award from NASA for its role in saving the astronauts aboard the shuttle. We particularly enjoy the Omega Soyuz which is coveted for intermingling Russian and American astronauts. Signalling the end of the cold war, the collection was capped at 500 and one sold at £80,000 during Antiques Roadshow in 2022!

With other editions like the Snoopy 50th anniversary released, it celebrated Omega’s presence in saving Apollo 13. Receiving the award in 1970, this incredible life saving event is testament to the brand and the quality of their pieces.

You can buy an Omega Speedmaster with a beautiful steel strap at retail for £6,400 at the time of writing.

TrainWreck - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono LeBron James

The Hitman’s Bodyguard was released in 2017. And, may we just say, an absolutely great movie if you find time between looking to buy a watch or sell a watch! As far as romantic comedies go, this one was full to the brim with Grade A celebs.

Featuring Amy Schumer, WWE superstar John Cena as Steven and basketball icon LeBron James, this cast has enough star power to light up a thousand Swiss lanterns. Worn on none other than LeBron James’s wrist, a quick glance exposes an ultra sleek Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono LeBron James

If it wasn’t enough to just be in the movie, why not get something that's made in your name too!

Source: CharityBuzz

The Royal Oak Offshore was released in 1993 and has been highly influential to the Royal Oak name. Celebrating 20 years of the collection, Audemars Piguet partnered with NBA legend LeBron James and released the Royal Oak Offshore Lebron James, Reference 26210OI.00.A109CR.01.

Crafted out of both 18K pink gold and titanium with a black ceramic crown, 600 watches were only produced and feature the eternally classic Tapisserie face. Featuring a date aperture at 3 o’clock, Arabic numerals that hide behind the sub dials at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock, the dial face is unorthodox, but we love it all the same! Offering chronograph functions, it’s the ultimate sportsmans piece.

You can no longer buy an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono LeBron James at retail due to it being discontinued. You can buy it on the secondary market for upwards of £70,000 at the time of writing.

The Expendables - Richard Mille RM 032

Action packed Expendables has had an incredible reach of three movies in 2010, 2012 and 2014. In Expendables 3, the final edition in this trilogy of thrilling movies, the lineup was as star filled as the red carpet at the Oscars.

Phenomenal actors lit up the silver screen including Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross, Jason Statham as Lee Christmas, Mel Gibson as Conrad Stones and Harrison Ford as Max Drummer. But what’s that? On the wrist of Barney Ross, is the highly elusive Richard Mille RM 032. Perfect for sharing a few drinks with Doctor Death!

Richard Mille RM 032

Richard Mille is a young man in comparison with the rest of the horological godfathers.

Sylvestor Stallone sporting the RM 032 in The Expendables Source - Oceanic Time

The brand was founded in 1999 which is well over 200 years after a brand like Blancpain! They have prided themselves on extremely exclusive luxury watches, all of which are sold before they even hit retail!

The Richard Mille 032 deviates from the sleek watches they are famed for. Associated with watches made for Ferrari, like the RM UP-01 (the world’s lightest watch”, the RM 032 is 50mm of solid titanium. The face is skeletonised but still incredibly complicated in an array of big dates at the top, small dates at the bottom right, a tachymeter on the edge as well as another scale on the periphery of the watch.

Given a red strap and red markers up to 15 on the tachymetric scale and a few elements of the face, the entire timepiece is grey to match the titanium. You can no longer buy a Richard Mille at retail but it sells on the secondary market for around £105,000 at the time of writing.

Scarface - Omega La Magique

Picture the scene. Tony Montano has lost his mind, firing off grenade attachments from his machine gun and blasting hot rounds of lead into his enemies as the drug overlord runs out of time. Earlier on however, he looks like the horological cat has got the cream slouching in his leather chair…alongside his gorgeous Omega La Magique.

Source - Villains Fandom

Featuring actors like world renown Al Pacino as Tony Montana, Michelle Pfeiffer as Elvira Hancock and Steven Bauer as sidekick Manny Ribera, the movie resides in the echelons of high quality cinematography with some of the most iconic lines in the business...

Omega La Magique

The world can be yours, especially if you are flexing the ultimate vintage dress watch.

Source - Twitter

From the 1980s, the watches were typically made of 18K yellow gold as well as featuring a sapphire crystal and beautiful gold chain strap. Capped at 261 pieces, Scarface’s reference, the BA 191.8523 Z was released and nicknamed the Phantom due to its transparent face.

While you can no longer buy an Omega La Magique at retail, it sells on the secondary market for around £6,000 at the time of writing.

American Psycho - Rolex Datejust Two-Tone

Don’t play the iconic band, Huey Lewis and The News around Patrick Bateman…

Following the story of businessman Patrick Bateman, we see a man whose seemingly everything deteriorates into psychotic killings and mental delusion. Of course, he would have to wear a model that represents his gaudy lifestyle!

Featuring a cast of Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, Willem Dafoe as Detective Donald Kimball and Reese Witherspoon as Evelyn Williams, the movie is a real thriller from minute one and features enough gore to turn the stomach of any diehard fan!

Rolex Datejust Two-Tone

Launched in 1945, The Rolex Datejust became the first automatic wristwatch with a date function. It was also waterproof and reliable enough to be chronometer rated too! We have undersold it. This was a timepiece that summarised all of Rolex’s achievements up to that point. Featuring a certified chronometer movement, a self-winding mechanism, a waterproof case and a date display in a unique window on the dial. How’s that!

Source - The Final Girls

Patrick Bateman’s Datejust was made in the 1950s and dutifully named reference 16013. Horological highlights of this timeless piece include a gold face with stick hands, indices and classic crown coronet on the top at 12 o’clock.

Crafted with a yellow gold and a stainless steel case, the timepiece blends dressy with action, perfect for a character as charming and rough around the edges as Patrick Bateman. While you can no longer buy a Rolex Datejust Two-Tone 16013 at retail, it sells on the secondary market for around £7,000 at the time of writing.

Le Mans - TAG Heuer Monaco

This 1971 movie follows the thrilling world of the famed Le Mans movie, a 24-hour endurance race. A great drama, Micheal Delaney as played by icon Steve McQueen is behind the Porsche brand as he guides his team to victory.

Featuring a cast of Steve Mcqueen as Micheal Delaney, Elga Andersen as Lisa Belgetti, Siegfried Rauch as Erich Stahler and Jean-Claude Bercq as Paul-Jacques Dion, the movie is a top choice for adrenaline junkies and those with a passion for enduring racing spirit.

Oh yes, let’s not forget it propelled the TAG Heuer Monaco into legendary status among collectors and enthusiasts!

Heuer Monaco 1133

The Monaco became famed after Steve Mcqueen handpicked the model for use on set. Designed by Jack Heuer and released in 1969, it was given an iconic square case and housed the famed Calibre 11, the first automatic micro-winding chronograph.

Source - Rotten Tomatoes

Influenced by friend and driver Jo Siffert, Steve McQueen chose the Heuer Monaco 1133 which has since gained grail status. You can no longer buy a TAG Heuer Monaco 1133 at retail as it has been discontinued, but you can buy it on the secondary market for upwards of £12,000 at the time of writing.

The Gray Man - TAG Heuer Carrera

Sure, Ryan Gosling may have been dolled up in pink for his latest Barbie flick (and his incredible vintage gold TAG Heuer watches which you can view here), but he sure knows how to be a rip roaring undercover goon to rival the Stasi too!

As a mysterious CIA agent in The Gray Man, Gosling uncovers the devious secrets of the agency. Suffice to say, he’s subsequently pursued around the world by assassins employed by his ex-colleague. Thrilling!

Now, every action man must have a great timepiece. And The TAG Heuer Carrera was the top model for him!

TAG Heuer Carrera WBN2111.FC6505

The TAG Heuer Carrera is one of TAG Heuer’s most desirable collections.

Source - The Fashionisto

Launched in 1963, the original story actually stems back to 1953 when the Carrera Panamericana car race started. The race follows 3500 km of hard racing, featuring a variety of cars and with almost no safety precautions that are in place.

The Carrera was released for the racers. Now updated for the silver screen and movies like Gray Man, it offers 39mm of solid stainless steel. Combining the phenomenal calibre 5 which is present through the sapphire caseback. Boasting a silver face with a sunray brushed finish, it also had silver baton indices and silver hands with Super-Luminova which are extremely legible.

You can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera WBN2111.FC6505 at retail for £2,700 at the time of writing.

Bullet Train - Breitling AVI

Bullet Train is about as action packed as Watches and Wonders 2023. Given a hint of comedy to keep the audience from throwing punches themselves, the movie was released in 2022 and is incredibly popular.

Following five assassins that board a Japanese bullet train aiming for Kyoto, their missions are all inexplicably linked, leading to a series of misfortunate and rather humorous events. Featuring a great cast of Vacheron 222 loving Brad Pitt as Ladybug, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tangerine, Bad Bunny as The Wolf and Joey King as Prince, this star studded cast is geared up more than a silicon balance hairspring

For those horophiles, check out Brad Pitt’s Breitling AVI 765 1953 Re-Edition.

Breitling AVI 765 1953 Re-Edition

The iconic Breitling AVI was originally given a bold design with a rotating bezel and an extremely legible face.

Source - Netflix

The re-edition version follows the same stylings of the original version, priding itself on highly legible Arabic numerals with Super-Luminova and an all black face which is highly contrasting against the hour markers.

At 41mm, it is crafted out of stainless steel and features three screws which are fixed into the bezel, the exact same places as on the original too! COSC certified, the calibre 01 offers a 28,800VpH and a 70 hour power reserve.

You can buy a Breitling AVI 765 at retail for £7,150 at the time of writing.

Doctor Strange - Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar

Marvel Comics absolutely love doling out a good superhero movie or two.

This movie is specifically based around Doctor Strange. He teams up with a teenage girl from his dreams who can travel across various multiverses, enduring threats and fighting other versions of himself which have the potential to wipe out millions across the multiverse.

The cast is filled with actors like Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, John Krasinski as Maker, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff and Xhochiti Gomez. Don’t get lost in the star power!

On the wrist of Dr. Stephen Strange is a gorgeous Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar which is engraved with the words ‘Time will tell how much I love you – Christine.'

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar

The Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar represents Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ultimate fashion piece, alongside the beauty of the Reverso.

Source - Fortune

The watches are associated with beautiful clean lines and a classic dress circular face. This Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar is given a beautiful stainless steel case with a silver powered face. Boasting black nickel appliques with silvered grey indices, a moonphase complication at 12 o’clock and three sub-dials at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, it is technically brilliant and aesthetically gorgeous.

You can buy a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar at retail for £27,300 at the time of writing.

The Dark Knight - Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

The Dark Knight was released in 2008, bringing forth the dawn of (in our humble opinion) the greatest superhero of all time, Batman!

The movie follows the plot of Jim Gordon, DA Harvey Dent and Batman keeping a watchful eye on crime in Gotham City. Enter the devious Joker played by Heath Ledger who starts causing an unprecedented level of sinister acts, Batman blurs the line between being a hero and an unruly vigilante. Nevertheless, we love him all the same! Featuring a cast of Christain Bale as Batman, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow, there is a huge clientele of high level celebs.

Of course, Batman (Bruce Wayne) is a billionaire when he is not fighting crime. It only makes sense that he would wear the beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso XGT Grande Date 8 Day. Maybe a reference to his iconic dual role…

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso XGT Grande Date 8 Day 240.8.15

It was released in 2008, representing the beautiful Art Deco design and classic Reverso case which allows the dial to be reversed over. Of course this is a revamp of the classic 1930’s timepiece which has endured for nearly a century.

Deemed one of the most iconic watches in timekeeping history, it was created for the British soldiers stationed in India. Finding that their watch crystals were breaking when they played polo, the brand resolved the problem by creating watches that could spin on its axis and physically protect the dial by showing the back of it.

Source - KingMagazine

Crafted out of stainless steel, the dial is silver with a beautiful Art Deco feel with blued hands, two sub dials, a date window and the highly legible Arabic numeral hour markers. On the other side, the mechanical movement is showcased beautifully. We think the watches look sublime on the fetching brown alligator leather strap.

You can no longer buy a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso XGT Grande Date 8 Day 240.8.15 at retail as it has been discontinued. However, you can buy it on the secondary market for upwards of £6,000 at the time of writing.

No Time To Die - Omega Seamaster

Well, James Bond has certainly had a good run!

Representing the twenty-fifth James Bond movie in the series, we see none other than Layer Cake actor Daniel Craig kicking back in Jamaica, living his best life in tranquillity as Bond. His peace is disturbed by an old CIA buddy, Felix Leiter who shows up and asks for help. James Bond agrees and pursues an elusive villain that’s armed with highly dangerous tech. Risky stuff, Mr. Bond!

The cast features Daniel Craig as James Bond, Cartier ambassador Rami Malek as Lyutsifer Safin, Ralph Fiennes as M and Ben Whishaw as Q. With such a great cast, the real brilliance is naturally sported on Daniel Craig’s wrist. And no we ain’t talking about the sought after Moonswatch Mission To Neptune, of which he is one of few owners.

Gentlemen, it’s time we introduced the highly coveted Omega Seamaster!

Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 007 Edition

The Omega Seamaster has been a key part of James Bond’s kit since 1995. Originally introduced by Oscar-winning costume designer, Lindy Hemming, she was convinced that the blue dial Seamaster was perfect for a multi-faceted man like James Bond. Dressy? Check out that steel strap. Can it double up as a great diver? Absolutely.

Source - Art Of The Movies

Worn while driving his Aston Martin, wearing a sharp tux and firing off a few rounds from his handgun, he’s a man ready for action with The Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 007 Edition. Crafted out of grade 2 titanium, the case measures 42mm and has a tropical brown dial and aluminium bezel. This is without doubt a sharp watch for the distinguished gent.

Powered by Omega’s Master Chronometer certified 8806, the watch is up and ready for your hectic lifestyle. Given a helium escape valve to boast the 300 metre diving capability and its screw down crown, this is an easy choice for divers and suited spies alike.

You can buy an Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 007 Edition at retail for £9,300 at the time of writing.

Daylight - Panerai Luminor Pre Vendome

Released in 1996, Daylight has been the source of adrenaline for the Millennial generation. Who knows, it may just catch onto Gen-Z too!

Source - Multitude of Movies

Following a group of armed robbers who are fleeing the police, they head into The New Jersey Tunnel, just to end up crashing into toxic waste trucks that subsequently blow up. Both ends of the tunnel collapse, leaving the surviving criminals in a terrible predicament. It rests on the head of Kit Latura to figure out a way out of the tunnel before it collapses and kills them too.

Featuring a star studded cast of Sylvester Stallone as Kit Latura, Sage Stallone as Vincent, Viggo Mortensen as Roy Nord and Amy Brenneman as Madelyne Thompson, there’s love, loss and a healthy dose of thrills. Of course, our eyes were instantly caught by Sly’s delightful timepiece, The Panerai Luminor Pre Vendome

Panerai Luminor Pre Vendome

Worn by Sylvester Stallone throughout the duration of the film, the timepiece has caught cultural fame.

Source - Panerai

Precisely, it's the Panerai Luminor 5218-201/A that was made in 1993. Crafted out of stainless steel, the watch is a beast at 44mm. What else did we expect the big man, Sylvester Stallone to rock.

The dial follows the same style as the Luminor collection. Featuring baton and Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, the face is kept minimal to promote legibility. Dosed with lume, the hour markers and hands stand out extremely well against the black dial.

With a little over 700 pieces released of this specific reference, this is a holy grail piece due to its links with the film. It makes sense why Stallone’s version which was worn during Daylight sold for around £170,000 at a Philipps auction in 2020.

Stating that it “went through hell in every scene”, the highly unique brown sharkskin leather strap brings together the entire piece as a durable yet minimalist novelty.

Dr. No - Rolex Submariner 6538

We know. We said James Bond was linked with Omega, but that was only since 1995. What else was the devilish spy wearing? Why, none other than Rolex of course! Oh yes Miss Moneypenny…you don’t want to miss this tasty little horological number.

Source - James Bond 007

Dr. No is a great example of luxury watches being used for creative effect in films. The 1962 film finds 007 battling it out with a devious Dr. No, a scientific genius whose purpose lies in destroying the U.S Space Program. Bond ventures to Jamaica where he gains the help of Honey Ryder and finally faces the evil villain in his island HQ.

Featuring Sean Connery as James Bond, Ursula Andress as Honey Riyder, Joseph Wiseman as Julius No and Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny, the film is cemented as iconic in James Bond legend.

Of course, the real fun for you oh so hungry horophiles comes in the form of the Rolex Submariner 6538.

Rolex Submariner 6538

The Rolex Submariner 6538 has been critically acclaimed, just like the James Bond series.

Source - Sotheby’s

Released in 1955, the watches brought along the brand new Caliber 1030 movement that resided within a thinner case and bevelled lugs, not to mention a more bulbous crown. The crown was a significant adaptation to the piece as it lended the nickname “Big Crown” Submariner.

Its other nickname? Well that is The “James Bond Submariner”. Famed for being on the wrist of Sean Connery in the 1962 Dr. No film, the watch is highly desired by all manner of collectors, including horophiles and film lovers.

Given a rare tropical dial that all collectors adore and the four lines of text, indicating the watch is COSC certified, the 6538 was actually the first Submariner reference to feature Chronometer Certification on the dial. Suffice to say, the four line variants are immensely popular in the community.

Ceasing production in 1959, you can no longer buy a Rolex Submariner 6538 at retail. You can buy it on the secondary market for upwards of £150,000 at the time of writing.

Bourne Trilogy - TAG Heuer Link Chronograph

That’s right, we are referencing the first three films in this list. That’s how much amnesia riddled Jason Bourne was obsessed with the TAG Heuer Link Chronograph!

Source - TBS

Following on from Robert Ludlum’s novel that was written in 1980, the first Bourne movie came out in 2002. Following Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), he is suffering from amnesia and is on a quest to find out what he really is.

The preceding films, The Bourne Supremacy in 2004 and The Bourne Ultimatum in 2007, follow the same timepiece, all while he continues to run and jump with fantastic athleticism, reserved only for a man with such excellent talents in fighting and self-defence.

The TAG Heuer Link Chronograph is therefore noted in Bourne cultural history. But how good is it?

TAG Heuer Link Chronograph

Unfortunately, the next two films saw two different models and a new protagonist in the form of Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross. Wearing an IWC Pilot’s Rattrapante TOP Gun in the 2012 Bourne Legacy, Matt Damon was re-introduced in 2016 for “Jason Bourne” but with a new TAG Heuer Formula One Chronograph.

Source - Pinterest

Our hearts were broken, but we can still revel in the past.

The TAG Heuer Link Chronograph CT1111 has garnered the nickname of “Bourne'' due to its close association with the film. Powered by a highly accurate quartz movement, the bracelet is highly unorthodox in its two link robust build.

Looking like something out of Transformers, the bracelet is extremely sporty, perfect for the action man. Crafted out of steel on the bracelet and casing, the timepiece is tough and scratch resistant just like the sapphire crystal. Given a brushed finish, this is certainly an everyday piece!

The dial prides itself on legibility, featuring a blend of batons and Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock. 6 o’clock is replaced with a sub dial, as well as at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock. Made up of a chronograph that reads an elapsed and split time 12 hour to 1/10th second functions, they reside clearly and distinctly against the black dial face.

To confirm the sportiness of the piece, a tachymetric scale wraps around the edge of the dial on the flange. With a water resistance of 200 metres, we believe this piece has the ability to go into cult status as it’s a cheaper alternative to popular models in films.

While you can no longer buy a TAG Heuer Link Chronograph CT1111 as it’s been discontinued, you can buy it on the secondary market for around £1,200 at the time of writing.

Argo - Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller

Argo is all about threats and hostages. Sounds like there’s no better timepiece than the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller for this.

Source - Sky News

Released in 2012, the film follows the story of militants storming the U.S embassy in Iran. 66 American hostages are held captive but six manage to flee to a Canadian ambassador. Time’s against them as there’s a high chance they will be found and executed, so The U.S Government brings out Tony Mendez to save the day.

With a cast of Ben Affleck as protagonist Tony Mendez, Bryan Cransto as Jack O’Donnell and John Goodman as John Chambers, expect hearts to be pounding and lungs to be heaving in this epic thriller.

On the wrist of Ben Affleck is the very hefty yet expertly designed Rolex Sea-Dweller.

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller

Admittedly, the combination of the model with the film is a little off.

Source - Brand’s Site

After all, the film is set in 1979, yet the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller was released in 2008. Oh well, we won’t lose too much sleep nor time over such a blunder.

Crafted out of 904L Oyster Steel, the timepiece is given a Cerachrom bezel within a black ceramic insert, boasting legibility and effortless style. Graduated and running to 60-minutes, the bezel is unidirectional and allows for divers to monitor their dives accordingly.

Given a chromalight display for max legibility, the model delivers an Oyster bracelet for added comfort and style. As a Superlative-Chronometer, this timepiece is COSC certified and given Rolex certification for The Sea-Dweller, guaranteeing the precision and efficiency of the 3235 calibre. At 44mm, this is a bulky model, but is more than capable of dealing with the scrapes Tony Mendez finds himself in!

You can buy a Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller at retail for £11,950 at the time of writing.

Top Gun: Maverick - IWC Pilot’s Mark XVIII

Top Gun has been running since 1986 but today, we are focusing on Top Gun: Maverick which was released in 2022.

Source - Alfresco Film Company

Following 30 years of service, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is living his best life as a test pilot, while making every effort to avoid a promotion that would send him back to HQ on the ground

Following his role as a training instructor for a group of promising graduates in a special assignment, Maverick has to face a few of his own demons, including his deepest fears. This all comes to a head when he has to commit to a mission that demands a sacrifice from those who fly it

With Top Gun regular Tom Cruise as Pete Mitchell, Miles Teller as Bradley Bradshaw, Val Kilmer as Tom Kazansky and Glen Powell as Lt Jake Hangman Seresin, Cruise may be getting on in years, but he still showcases an immense demonstration of stunt magic!

He chose to wear a gorgeous IWC Pilot’s Mark XVIII

IWC Pilot’s Mark XVIII

The IWC Pilot’s Mark XVIII is a great addition to any budding collection.

Source - Brand’s Site

Crafted out of stainless steel and coming in at 40mm, the model follows the classic construction of its Mark predecessors. The dial promotes high grade legibility and minimalism, keeping things low-key with a matt black dial face and high contrast Arabic numerals.

The classic Mark influenced 12 o’clock symbol is there in the form of two dots atop the hour indice. The contrast with the sporty brushed steel case and the smooth dial is fantastic and really hammers home the slicked back nature of the piece.

The date aperture situated at 3 o’clock is a welcome addition to the uncluttered dial which is what they are renowned for. Given a black background, it fits in perfectly. The sapphire glass is given a convex structure, allowing for a magnification effect on the dial, while the healthy anti-reflective coating allows for an instant glance at the time…even if you're kissing the sun aboard your private jet!

The black calfskin strap is the perfect addition to the minimalist piece. Powered by the calibre 35111, the timepiece has a modest 42 hours of power reserve with a solid beat of 28,800VpH. Unfortunately, as it's a past collection from 2018, you can no longer buy an IWC Pilots Mark XVIII at retail at the time of writing.

You can buy it on the secondary market for around £3,500 at the time of writing.

Thunderball - Breitling Top Time

James Bond has featured a number of times in this list, but how can we possibly even try and forget about the beautiful Breitling Top Time.

Thunderball is no such exception. Following the criminal mastermind, Emilio Largo, he and the SPECTRE terrorist organisation hijack two warheads from a NATO plane. Threatening nuclear destruction worldwide if they didn’t receive 100 million pounds, 007 is called in to recover the warheads from the lair of Bahamas.

Fighting against sharks and enemy foe, James Bond and his seductive charm is put to the test with the enchanting Domino figure who is necessary to swoon over in order to glean important information.

Featuring a cast of Sean Connery as Bond, Claudine Auger as Domino Vitall, Luciana Paluzzi as Fiona Volpe and Adolfo Celi as Emilio Largo, the cast list is strong. But Sean Connery’s Breitling Top Time watch is better!

Breitling Top Time

The Breitling Top Time in The James Bond Franchise is notable for a variety of reasons.

Source - Christie’s

As the first ever modified timepiece that was issued by Q to James Bond, the piece came with a brilliant innovation, the Geiger Counter. Used to detect radiation, the Top Time was perfect for Bond in Nassau who had to locate not one but two nuclear warheads.

Seen at many moments in the film such as at the time looking for atomic warheads or diving underwater beneath Largo’s boat and using it at Palmyra when checking the radioactive count. Yep, certainly one of those famous watches, Timelords.

Made by The Valley Tool Company who were commissioned to create an underwater ‘Geiger counter’, it is a one off piece and a highly collectable item.

It sold at a Christie’s auction in 2013 for £103,875.

Inception - TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic

Inception is centred around a cunning thief with a supernatural ability. No we ain’t referencing Bruce Willis here.

Source - Independent

Dom Cobb is a thief that has the ultimate skill for every budding criminal. The ability to enter people’s dreams that steal their secrets from their subconscious. This talent allowed him to be as sought after a Rolex Sako, but meant he had to sacrifice everything he held dear. When offered redemption, he has to perform the impossible…all while an enemy is hot in pursuit.

This 2010 movie features Leonardo DiCaprio as protagonist Cobb, Joseph Gordon-Leviott as Arthur, Cillian Murphy as Fischer and Tom Hardy as Eames. You might spot a beautiful TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic on DiCaprio’s wrist.

TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic

The TAG Heuer Carrera is easily one of TAG Heuer’s biggest collections and one of their most famous watches.

Source - Product Placement Blog

The Carrera was released in 1963 after the so called Carrera Panamericana road race through Mexican terrain. Measuring 39mm, this stainless steel timepiece is given a beautiful black dial which is protected by a sapphire crystal.

A small date complication located at 3 o’clock is given a white background for high contrast legibility. Powered by the Calibre 5, it has 28,800VpH and offers 42 hours of power reserve which is placed atop of a polished stainless steel case and bracelet.

You can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic on the secondary market for upwards of £1,100 at the time of writing.

Winning - Rolex Daytona 6239

The Winning storyline is all about the struggles of family and the great victories of the racing world.

Source - At The Movies Poster

Following race car driver Frank Capua, he is a man that is as obsessed about winning as Cristiano Ronaldo is dominating football. Fighting for his place in a number of races that results in the great Indianapolis 500, he is driving a gap between him and his wife, Elora and stepson, Charley.

Elora is sleeping with fellow racer Luther “Lou” Erding causing Frank to leave the family. However, staunch Charley refuses to watch his family fall apart in front of him. Featuring a cast of Paul Newman as Frank Capua, Joanna Woodward as Elora, Richard Thomas as Charley and Robert Wagner as Luther Erling, this is a great film for high speed rollers. This in effect was the Fast and Furious of its time.

Featuring romance and racing, things don’t get much better for film and movie watch buffs! Us horophiles can do without the mushy stuff. We are too enchanted with the coveted Rolex Daytona on Paul Newman’s wrist. And for 2023, the Cosmograph has given another facelift thanks to the Rolex Daytona Le Mans Ref. 126529LN. Sported by Mark Wahlberg, this is sure to be another horological hit from their catalogue that is in our view likely to hold its value.

Rolex Daytona 6239

The Rolex Daytona was originally created in 1963 as a blend of sporty heritage through the tachymetric scale and chronograph functions, with a fantastic design.

Source - Forbes

Would you believe us if you say that for a brief period, it wasn’t actually a desired timepiece? It would be up to Paul Newman to bring the watch to its rightful glory. He received his edition in 1980 as a gift from his wife Joanne Woodward.

With the words “Drive Carefully Me” engraved on the back, his piece features an off white dial with high contrast seconds tracks on the periphery of the dial, as well three pitch black chronograph on the sub dials face.

It was gifted to his daughter’s boyfriend, James Cox. He then put it up for auction in 2021. Unbelievably, it sold at the Philipps auction for around an incredible $17.8 million (£15 million.) All of the proceeds were donated to The Nell Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation.

Glengarry Glen Ross - Rolex Day-Date “President”

A film about an office block in New York City could be perceived as boring. This is the opposite as it features one of the most famous models of all time!

Source - Rolex Magazine

Based in New York City, a thriving office block is filled with salesmen, battling to keep their employment after the news that two will be fired by the end of the week is released. Competition between Shelley Levene who has a sick daughter is fierce as he fights to keep his job and get better leads from boss, John Williamson. A conversation with colleague Dave Moss ensues in a plan to steal the leads. But that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Featuring actors like Al Pacino as Richard Roma, Alec Baldwin as Blake, Kevin Spacey as John Williamson and Ed Harris as Dave Moss, money and suits are flying more than a Boeing 747. We, of course, enjoy the beautiful Rolex Day-Date “President” flexed on the wrist of Alec Baldwin.

Rolex Day-Date “President”

Playing an executive figure, he rolls up to Ed Harris and in his Alpha male stature, proudly states “You see this watch?

Source - Lady G

You see this watch? … That watch cost more than your car. I made $970,000 last year. How much did you make? You see, pal, that’s who I am. And you’re nothing.” Thanks, Alec!

Boasting an 18K yellow gold case with a beautiful champagne gold dial, the Day-Date features the classic fluted bezel and President bracelet, not to mention the timeless full date aperture which showcases the weekday at 12 o’clock and date aperture at 3 o’clock.

You can buy a Rolex Day-Date President on the secondary market for around £40,000 at the time of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Watch Was Worn In Goodfellas?

For eagle eyed horologists, you will notice that protagonist Henry Hill adorns a Rolex Day-Date in a full blown show of mobster life in the movie, Goodfellas.

In particular, it’s one of the most famous watches of all time, a Rolex Day-Date with champagne dial. As rare and treasured as The Beatles hidden tracks, the Day-Date reference 1803 was released in 1956 as the first watches to feature a date and day which is spelled out in full on the dial.

The 1803 was released a few years later. As one of the last watches to feature a pie pan dial, these timepieces have an acrylic as opposed to the new sapphire crystals. With a 36mm dial, they are very dressy and extremely slender.

While you can no longer buy a Rolex Day-Date 1803 at retail, it sells on the secondary market for upwards of £10,000 at the time of writing.

What Watch Was Worn In The Godfather?

When Micheal Corleone gives his brother the Kiss of Death and says the damning words ‘I knew it was you’, he is actually flexing a spectacular Omega Constellation Pie Pan edition in 14K yellow gold. Arguably one of the most famous watches to grace the silver screen.

The Omega Constellation was originally released in 1948. As the first Constellation released, they feature eight stars on the Constellation medallion which correlates to eight precision records that Omega achieved at Kew-Teddington and The Geneva Observatory during the mid-20th Century.

Designed by Gerald Genta and released in 1952, it was supposed to be a limited series of watches but became so popular that Omega continued it. Featuring elegant lugs and a pie-pan dial style, Genta updated the collection to have a C-style case that brought in integrated lugs, no pie-pan dial and home to baton indices and stick hands.

Micheal Corleone wears a pie-pan edition in 14K yellow gold which you can buy on the secondary market for upwards of £3,000 at the time of writing.

Conclusion

There we are, Timelords! These best movie watches include classics such as the golden Omega La Magique and modern gems like the stylish Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso XGT Grande Date 8 Day 250.15 from Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness.

Each of these famous watches required a decision to be made with great horological knowledge. The use of a blood red dialled Rolex Day-Date with a diamond encrusted bezel and strap showcases the crazy wealth of this top luxury brand.

Other famous novelties like The Omega Seamaster for James Bond is a clever choice due to the durability of the watches, as well as it being clean enough to be considered as a dress timepiece. I think we can all agree that Hollywood and independent film producers know precisely what they are doing when it comes to selecting the perfect movie watches.

On that note, we hope you have enjoyed this article and we’ve inspired you to purchase a novelty of your own. Want to be red carpet ready? The question is, where will you go to buy a watch?

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