As a watch lover, it’s hard to watch a movie or TV show without tracking every actor’s wrist. Spotting a beloved timepiece on the big screen is such a rush! There were plenty of highlights in 2021, including the beautiful Oystersteel Rolex Datejust 31 in Hawkeye, but let’s look at what popped up in 2022 and see whether any of the timepieces are as suited to everyday life as they are to Hollywood.
Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar
Any observant watch enthusiast who watched the first installment of Dr. Strange definitely got a buzz. From the Rolex Daytona to the TAG Heuer Monaco, the title character had a drool-worthy watch collection full of beautiful classics. We then went on to learn that his Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar was particularly close to his heart. It was a gift from a past love – I’d guess it was a custom edition with an engraved stainless steel case back. While the watch ended up badly damaged by the end of the film, it served as a trusty companion throughout. The JLC stayed by his side, linking Dr. Strange to the real world as he learned how to control time and later became the keeper of the time stone.
In the second installment, Dr. Strange is still in possession of the time stone, but new worlds, timelines, and realities are opened up to him: hello multiverse. In this world of parallel realities, a repaired Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar remains his constant companion. Again, the JLC takes on significant meaning; not only does it connect Dr. Strange to reality on Earth, but it also displays the various timelines he is dealing with.
Thanks to its highly sophisticated technology, the perpetual calendar is able to display the correct date no matter the timeline, as well as the moon phase and more. If any watch can handle the complexity of the multiverse, it’s this one. Even if you’re existing in a single reality like the rest of us, few timepieces can match the level of watchmaking art and sheer volume of information that this watch manages to convey in such a well-organized and beautiful way.
No Time to Die: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
The latest Bond film not only is the last of the Daniel Craig era, but also marks 25 years of the franchise partnering with Omega. Watch fans had high expectations, and they weren’t disappointed. Three characters in the film don Omega watches. While Miss Moneypenny sports a 27.4-mm Omega De Ville Prestige, Nomi wears a Seamaster Aqua Terra with a black dial and NATO strap. Of course, we can’t forget the man himself, James Bond, who sports a Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition – the official Bond watch of this installment. One of the things that makes this watch so special is that Daniel Craig was actually involved in its design. He wanted an extremely lightweight and comfortable timepiece that was also very robust. Thus, the watch is made of titanium, the best material to withstand the diverse challenges faced by a secret agent.
Omega further reduced the weight by opting for a brown aluminum bezel and dial. The tropical brown tone perfectly complements the watch’s overall vintage character. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition comes on your choice of a titanium mesh bracelet or NATO strap. Fans of Her Majesty’s Secret Service will appreciate the numbers engraved on the watch’s case back, all of which correspond to those used on real military watches, i.e., “0552” stands for the Royal Navy, “923 6597” for a diver’s watch, and “A” for a watch with a screw-down crown. Of course, “007” stands for the world-famous secret agent, and “62” is a nod to the year the first Bond film made its debut.
In terms of technology, the watch is certainly well-equipped for life with a spy and solider. The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition performs to some of the highest standards in the industry; in addition to being highly precise and water-resistant to 300 m (984 ft), it is also resistant to magnetic fields. This is a vital characteristic in cockpits and top-secret laboratories, but also when you’re working at home on your laptop. Thus, you’re getting a timepiece that is more than ready for the challenges of everyday life, not to mention one that stylishly shows your appreciation for the legendary secret agent.
The Gray Man: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic Three Hands
In this spy thriller, two former CIA agents and hitmen, played by Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, are after each other. Gosling has been an off-screen TAG Heuer ambassador since last year, so it’s not wholly surprising that the watch manufacturer is very present in this movie. In fact, the brand’s motto, “Do not crack under pressure” is very apt for this genre of film. The watch with the biggest presence is the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic Three Hands, which is available on your choice of a stainless steel bracelet or leather strap.
At first glance, this model is pretty inconspicuous and doesn’t really suggest any of the special features we are used to seeing on watches belonging to secret agents, but therein lies its strength. This timepiece is extremely versatile, adapting seamlessly to any situation. From chases on foot and serious discussions to formal dinner occasions leading to fistfights on the roof, this watch is comfortable, highly legible, and fits the bill. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic Three Hands isn’t exactly a statement piece; it doesn’t attract attention like some of its bolder counterparts. But again, this is part of what makes the model the perfect choice for life on the wrist of an undercover agent. That, or any watch enthusiast who wants to pique the interest of true connoisseurs with a discrete choice.
Luckiest Girl Alive: Cartier Panthère
Wow, Cartier has certainly made an impressive climb in recent years. The Netflix film Luckiest Girl Alive is only further proof of this fact. In short, this film follows the plot line of a perfect life that turns out to be a perfect lie. It’s not exactly a groundbreaking tale, but the film does show our current reality with all its blemishes and deals with some very relevant topics. It also suggests that being a successful journalist and aspiring member of high society requires one to have a Cartier on their wrist, namely a Cartier Panthère. Not only is this timepiece on full display several times in the film, it is also explicitly mentioned and presented as a women’s watch that says, “I’ve achieved something in life.”
Let’s take a closer look at the famous model from Cartier. The Panthère first debuted in 1983, and was soon spotted on the wrists of icons like Grace Jones and Cher. The watch’s success story continued when it was relaunched in 2017. The Cartier Panthère represents the perfect blend of high-end jewelry and timepiece like no other watch. The bracelet pays homage to the panther, Cartier’s signature animal. Powerful and supple, but above all elegant, it suits just about any wrist. Even if your life feels far from perfect, the Cartier Panthère is the ideal choice for women who posses that masterful combination of strength and elegance.
Top Gun: Maverick: IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic TOP GUN and Porsche Design Chronograph 1
It doesn’t really matter whether you like sequels of classic films or not, as watch lovers, we were entitled to have high expectations of Top Gun: Maverick. After all, IWC is the official partner of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, i.e., Top Gun, and has numerous Top Gun watches in its portfolio. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic TOP GUN, for example, is a simple three-hand watch on a NATO strap. It is visually striking thanks to its black ceramic case and contrasting stainless steel crown. You can spot the timepiece on the wrists of recruits Monica Barbaro and Lewis Pullman in the film.
But what does Tom Cruise sport as Maverick, now in his role as flight instructor (despite still being ready for crazy in-flight maneuvers)? Similar to part one, he dons a Porsche Design Chronograph 1, the first all-black watch. The timepiece’s 50th anniversary, which coincided with the launch of the film, was celebrated with a new edition for fans. The updated timepiece is very like the original except for its movement, which is now automatic and COSC-certified. The design has maintained its same sports car-inspired aesthetics. Similar to the dashboard instruments on a car, the dial is highly legible thanks to the sevenfold anti-reflective sapphire glass, red chronograph seconds hand, and matte black dial. Of course, the watch is still mounted on a black-coated titanium bracelet. No matter what you think of Tom Cruise in this movie, the new Porsche Design Chronograph 1 does not disappoint.
