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Luxury Watch Spotting At The 2023 Oscars

As the curtain comes down on the 95th Oscars, Chrono Hunter checks out what horological beauties made the headlines on and off the champagne toned carpet.

Brendan Fraser – OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope

First up is former Mummy and Bedazzled star Brendan Fraser. That’s right watch peeps, Fraser actually starred in this offbeat chick flick alongside Elizabeth Hurley. Unlike shy Eliot Richardson in the movie, Fraser dazzled at The Oscars by picking up the Best Actor Award for The Whale. Oh and his OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope wasn’t too shabby either. Contemporary with a vintage style twist via the instrument design, The Oscars is the place to deliver on all fronts. And boy did Fraser pull this Omega watch off.

Source: Omega

Beating at 4Hz, it is as sleek as the black tux he was wearing on the night. This underrated Speedmaster is brimming with heritage thanks to its tachymeter scale, pulsometer and telemeter scale in a distinctive snail like dial design. Made from 316L stainless steel, it gives a nod to Omega’s 1940’s chronograph wristwatches giving you the perfect daily driver.

Renowned for corrosion-resistance and a high sheen, it will stand up to all manner of high pressure situations…just like The Oscars. Measuring 43mm, Fraser opted for a blue leather strap rather than the standard stainless steel bracelet. Driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9908, this men’s watch enjoys many Oscar winning features like shock resistance to 5,000G, Master Chronometer Certification and first-rate anti-magnetic properties, key for anyone looking to buy a watch.

Other highlights include silver tone subdials, striking leaf-shaped hands, Arabic numerals, 60 hour power reserve as well as a 60-minute and 12-hour counter located at 3 o’clock. If you want to buy an Omega like this and feel suave on the beach, by the pool or in the boardroom, the RRP is £8,700 at the time of writing.

Dwayne “The Rock Johnson” - TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional

The Oscars are all about glitz and a touch of luxury right? Wrong watch fans as there’s a sprinkling of the unexpected as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would vouch for with his watch choice at the The 95th Oscars. Enter stage left the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Date. Although the Black Adam actor and former WWE star missed out on Oscar gold, it didn’t mean he wasn’t dressed to impress.

Source: Getty Images/Joe’s Daily

Throwing a horological curveball (for us anyway), Johnson paired a pale pink satin tux, white pocket square, black bow tie and rose floral boutonnière alongside his timepiece of choice. Presenting an award at the Oscars for Best Animated Feature Film with Emily Blunt, his Jungle Book compadre, they were seen off camera guffawing. This was caught behind the scenes where Dwayne Johnson sits on Emily Blunt’s lap. No mean feat, I hear you ask nor was it wearing a TAG Heuer to the Oscars. Yet it seemed to compliment his attire. This might not be in our 5 of the best TAG Heuer watches to buy now.

Nevertheless, it did raise our timekeeping eyebrow at Chrono Hunter HQ. I mean, it’s not as if the former Miami Hurricanes football player can’t afford it. A hardcore Panerai follower his collection is overflowing with timepieces from all major luxury watches. He wore a 44m Panerai Submersible Goldtech at Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and has worn the brand in many movies such as Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw from 2019. Meanwhile he is also fond of aviation inspired watches and has been spotted with a Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph not to mention the limited edition IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Spitfire, launched in 2019.

The Rock sporting the Panerai Submersible Goldtech at Super Bowl LVI - Source: The List/Getty Images

So what exactly is so special about this men’s watch? Multi-purpose and yes a little underwhelming for us, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional comes with a smoky brown sunray dial that is built for anything. Pushed to the limit like one of the Rock’s workouts, the Calibre 5 automatic has a 38 hour power reserve with hours, minutes, seconds and date functions.

We’re surprised it fitted as this slim dive watch looks out of sorts even on a 20cm plus wrist. Hiding under his crisp white shirt cuff, it offers 200m of water resistance, a folding clasp steel push button buckle and pulsates at 4Hz. Is this enough for you to buy a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional? We’re not so sure, but the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Professional Limited Edition would be our pick.

What we are confident about is Johnson’s penchant for TAG Heuer watches. He has previously sported a TAG Heuer Monaco and Carrera Chronograph featuring a brushed green dial, in-house Heuer 02 automatic movement and tachymeter bezel. Although steel sport dive watches and the Oscars don’t quite fit the bill we thought it was an unexpected Oscars spoiler.

Like Johnson’s catchphrase, if you want to smell (feel or wear) what the Rock is cooking, you can buy a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Date for the RRP of £2,400 - at the time of writing.

Lenny Kravitz – Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

The Oscars brings out all the kings of bling and none can compete with the rock and roll icon that is Lenny Kravitz. And it’s time we went his way, timelords. The legendary guitarist strolled down this year’s champagne coloured carpet in a black chiffon type robe with chest exposed unlike his wrist. Nestled on it was the Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso Duo-Face which only the US star could pull off. Blending ultra luxury with a casual swagger, Kravitz clearly knows his horological beans.

Source: Getty Images/Kayla Oaddams/Mr.Porter

Buy a Jaeger-Le Coultre like this and you’ll benefit from two dials for the price of one. The Duo Face can flip and integrate with consummate ease to suit any smart affair. Although his outfit and bare naked chest, chains and sunnies look a bit out of sorts with The Oscars, the timepiece accompaniment didn’t. Why tell the time with one dial when you can have two? Bearing a silvery guilloché pattern with Arabic numerals on one side with baton hour markers and tiny second sub-dial at 6 o’clock, this is complimented by a sublime Clous de Paris guilloché in black on the other. We aren’t surprised he chose to display the all black side accentuating his black Oscars attire.

To give it its full Hollywood name, The Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso Classic Duo-Face Small Seconds is for those who want to show off with a unique men’s watch. Sure, it might be a scratch magnet, there’s no hacking and the movement isn’t anything to write home about…literally. But nothing comes close in terms of aesthetics and hasn’t done since it was launched at the end of the 1960s. Glamorous, chic, cool, understated, distinctive and pioneering. Exactly in line with The Oscars.

In 1930, when businessman César de Trey was given the unenviable task of ensuring maximum protection on a watches glass during polo matches, he never could have imagined what would happen next. His flip case concept would alter the horological sphere after approaching his ami, Jacques-David Le Coultre, the Reverso changed time in an instant. With its nod to the vintage Reverso models of the 1930’s, a second time zone is what’s going on here. Travellers will love this terrific timepiece for its simple looks, reversible case and timeless sophistication. Change time to suit your needs. Plus, we should really mention its classic three-lined gadroons, Arabic numerals, signature sword hands, 42 hour power reserve, circular graining and in-house Calibre 845A.

If that’s not enough, you can buy a Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso Classic Duo-Face Small Seconds for the RRP of £11,400 - at the time of writing.

Paul Mescal – Cartier Tank Chinoise

Where do we start with the Cartier Tank?

Symbolic among watch circles for over a century, The Oscars brought us a few Cartier iterations of note including Creed III nominee Michael B. Jordan who was spotted wearing the smaller Cartier Tank Must before slipping on a Tiffany & Co. Square 2 Hand at the time he presented the Best Cinematography Award.

Source: Footwear News

This oh so popular dress watch delivers a rather more irregular shape that is more at home on the rose gold versions. This has been causing a furore on social media platforms as much as Will Smith’s slap on Chris Rock. But that was last year watch nerds and we like to bring you the hottest watch news. What we see here is the under the radar Platinum version that again demonstrates all the characteristics of class, elegance and timelessness. And might we add it goes incredibly well with his subtle white tux jacket from Gucci.

The debonair Irishman and Aftersun actor didn’t quite pick up the gong for Best Actor at The Oscars. Nevertheless, this doesn’t detract from his devilishly good looks on and off the wrist. Introduced in 1922, the Cartier Tank Chinoise resembled Tom Cruise in Top Gun:Maverick and made a long awaited comeback last year at Watches and Wonders. Take a sneak peek here at our bold predictions before this year’s hotly anticipated event.

But let’s face it, watch fans buy a Cartier for many reasons. This might be a potentially great men’s watch for investment as it's limited to just 150 pieces giving it plenty of exclusivity. Chinese influences dominate this timepiece particularly around the brancards which epitomises the unique design based on Renault’s F-17 Tanks from WWI. Combined with European interest in chinoiserie and East Asian motifs, the Tank Chinoise emerged.

Cartier Tank Chinoise CPCP collection - Source: Oracle Time

A rare model in the Tank collection, the Tank Chinoise has not had many interations over time with the previous update coming in 2004 via the Privé Cartier Paris (CPCP) series, with limited editions of emblematic Cartier models spanning two decades between 1998-2008. With its ruby-tipped crown, the 2022 models have replaced the traditional Breguet hands with the iconic blue sword hands. And the square case has been revamped to appear more rectangular making it stand out more. Available in yellow gold, platinum and diamond-set platinum with open worked dials decorated with lacquer. The RRP of the Cartier Tank Chinoise is £27,100 - at the time of writing.

It just goes to show that when you buy a Cartier, it truly is box office!

Ryan Seacrest - Rolex Daytona Ref. 116508

It’s about time we showed you the big horological guns at The Oscars.

The Rolex Daytona is what Paul Newman represents not just to the silver screen but to this iconic watch. It’s no surprise however that we saw this timepiece turn up shimmering from the wrist of Ryan Seacrest. The former American Idol presenter and TV host is a red carpet veteran and fashion conscious chap as seen by his many appearances at The Oscars. But we ain’t interested in his look per se but his horological weapon of choice. In fact, Seacrest sported an attractive Rolex Daytona ref. 6263 in yellow gold at the 76th Golden Globe Awards in 2017 in Beverly Hills.

Ryan Seacrest ready to party at the 2017 Oscars with the Rolex Daytona “Big Red” Source: Pinterest

Complimenting the yellow gold case and bracelet, the black sub-dials make a fine comparison against the ultra luxurious gold dial. The perfect addition to any blingy outfit from The Oscars to securing that important business contract with a golden handshake. But Seacrest is as serious about Rolex as any A-lister.

When The Oscars took place in 2016, the American presenter hit us with another 6263 reference, namely the Rolex Daytona “Big Red”. As vintage a watch as you’ll ever see, this was launched onto the market at the beginning of the 1970’s in stainless steel, 18k gold and 14k gold. Complete with the “Oyster” chronograph buttons and white printed tachymeter scale, Mr. Newman himself was the proud owner of one, auctioned off by Phillips just a few years ago.

We get it, we know you have good taste in men’s watches and vintage watches but what about The Oscars in 2023? Seacrest remains on point and at the top of his watch game with his latest throwdown at The Oscars this year - The Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 in solid gold. Be it an heirloom or something to add to your collection, you can never go wrong when you buy a Rolex Daytona. Holding its value over time, this racing inspired timepiece is the jewel in any watch aficionados wardrobe.

Flashy when paired with a black tux and white pocket square like Ryan Seacrest at The Oscars or enjoying water sports in the Bahamas, buy a Rolex Daytona and benefit from its status symbol and incredible heritage as of the most high profile men’s watches of all time.

Ke Huy Quan - Omega Globemaster

Like Steven Spielberg, It’s nearly time to wrap this up. Unlike the Vanity Fair after party, this has to come to an end…eventually. Though don’t shed as many tears as Ke Hun Quan. Chrono Hunter will return with all the latest happenings from the watch world quicker than OMEGA's Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8900 inside our next hot watch from The Oscars - The Omega Globemaster.

Source: Omega

Having won Best Supporting Actor for Everything Everywhere, All At Once, it seems OMEGA watches were precisely that at The Oscars. We caught a tiny glimpse of Quan’s Globemaster during his acceptance speech where the film swept the board with 7 Oscars. With around 20 versions of the popular Globemaster series, there appears to be a Globemaster for everyone.

The first of its kind to benefit from the highly prestigious Master Chronometer Certification, the Globemaster is in a cosmic world of its own. Reputation tick, precision, double tick. Scratch resistance, fluted bezel and effortless quality. You bet. There’s much to like if you decide to buy an Omega Globemaster.

Measuring 39mm, the stainless steel case is as tough as they come while the Constellation star sits beautifully above the perfectly formed date window at 6 o’clock. Both hands and indexes have Super-Luminova for maximum visibility. Originating from 1952 and released in 2015, the eye-catching pie-pan dial design will no doubt catch a few paparazzi cameras and timekeeping admirers. With a 60 hour power reserve and Central Observatory symbol etched on the caseback, it’s all in the quality should you choose to buy an Omega. Completed with either a premium brown, blue or grey leather strap, it’s METAS approved and has first-rate anti-magnetic properties up to 15,000 Gauss.

Time to look at what’s going to find its way onto the red carpet at The Oscars 2024!

Conclusion

There were many standouts to admire from The Oscars with all the major luxury brands in attendance. The looks of the main protagonists were more exciting than the main event as the red carpet is always a horological hotbed of anticipation and interest for watch lovers.

And it did not disappoint with Cartier, Omega and Rolex fighting for every inch of the floor. But where were the AP’s? With a few plot twists thicker than The Usual Suspects, men’s watches really did sparkle making us want more next year. And we didn’t have time to mention Peter Parker actor Andrew Garfield’s Omega De Ville Trésor with retro “Clou de Paris” pattern in Sedna Gold.

Want to be ready for next year’s Oscars with a red carpet ready timepiece? Looking to buy a Rolex Daytona? Or, perhaps you want to go vintage and buy a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo Face? Whatever your decision, contact Chrono Hunter here to experience Oscar winning customer service. If you want to buy a watch or sell a watch, receive multiple offers from our trusted luxury retailers within hours and save money the smart way.

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