Ben’s Top FOUR Space Movie Watches From The Last Decade

In this article, I select the extra-terrestrial movies from the 2010s that feature great watches. As you’ll see from the list, I’m not just showcasing the space-faring Omega Speedmaster here (although it does feature). What’s obvious in the last decade is the investment from Hamilton in cinematic product placement. But in no way do the watches feel shoe-horned into the narrative. Some of the watches even play an integral role in the storylines.

I miss going to the cinema. I went from attending at least one showing a week in 2019, to about four in the entirety of 2020. The lack of blockbuster releases has been a shock to my regular downtime routine. And nothing beats a big-screen sci-fi romp or space thriller. I differentiate between the genres of sci-fi and space thriller, though. For example, a space thriller such as Apollo 13 (1995) is based on a real-life historic event. Whereas Blade Runner (1982) is pure science fiction. Both genres have a fair deal of box-office clout, which has been on full display during the last decade particularly.

Since 2010, we’ve seen some out-of-this-world gems. Better still, plenty of top-quality wristwatches have made their way onto the silver screen! As such, I thought it would be fun to explore some of the wrist-bound stars of the show. The list is compiled in chronological order by the movie’s theatrical release date.

Gravity (2013) — Omega Speedmaster Professional

Gravity is one of my favorite movies of all time. For those who haven’t experienced it, the plot revolves (geddit?) around astronauts in low Earth orbit that get caught in a deadly situation. An explosion from another satellite sends space debris hurtling around the Earth in an unstoppable rotation. The two surviving American astronauts have to battle with strong gravitational pulls with limited air resistance to avoid spiraling off into outer space. The movie taps into some spiritual elements and certainly has some parallels with true survival stories, albeit in a substantially more desolate environment.

Many scientific inaccuracies have been pointed out in Gravity.

I remember seeing this in the cinema back in 2013 in IMAX 3D. It made for very immersive viewing allowing me to enjoy the insanely gorgeous special effects and realistic motions of low gravity. While many have pointed out the inaccuracies in some of the scenes, such as the unlikelihood of coming into proximity with another satellite orbiting at the same altitude. There’s plenty more examples, but as a cinephile first, and amateur astronomer second, I appreciate the story it tells and spectacle it provides.

George Clooney in space and the Omega Speedmaster

Suitably, the wristwatches on show pay respect to the history of NASA-qualified equipment. While Sandra Bullock’s Dr. Stone only wears a nondescript digital wrist computer. George Clooney’s character, Matt Kowalski, rocks an Omega Speedmaster Professional. Of course, as an Omega ambassador, there was only one watch of choice for Clooney. The Speedy is sewn into his spacesuit with only the watch head visible. Curiously, the watch in the film is also missing the tachymeter bezel. Whether this was a stylistic choice for the character or a decision made during production, it’s noticeably absent and actually looks pretty cool.

Only Clooney’s character wears a Speedy.

I find it interesting that only Kowalski wears an Omega Speedmaster. In a way, it relates to their characters. Bullock plays a doctor who’s less interested in the privilege of space exploration and more focused on the job she’s contracted to do. It suits her persona to only wear the purposeful wrist computer and not the NASA-issued Speedmaster. Kowalski, however, is a more seasoned astronaut who shuttles specialists like Dr. Stone for highly-skilled operations. Wearing the Speedmaster highlights his dedication to the space program and NASA’s long-standing traditions. Actually, Kowalski is better off with the Moonwatch as the analog display maintains legibility in Extra-Vehicular Activities. Whereas LCD screens are typically rendered non-functional in extreme temperatures.

Interstellar (2014) — Hamilton Khaki Field Auto “Murph”

Interstellar was a slow-burner for me. During my first viewing, I was bombarded by the sound mix, which made it difficult to make out what the actors were saying. This negatively impacted my experience the first time round. On subsequent viewings, and with a home theatre system to adjust the audio equalizer, Interstellar was far more enjoyable. However, the huge logic jump from Matthew McConaughey’s character Coop managing a fledgling farm to being launched into space still confuses me. But from then on, Interstellar is an unrelenting journey to save humanity.

The black hole scene was a genuine contribution to science.

The scene that depicts travelling through a black hole is not only visually arresting, but is an important contribution to science. Acting as a portal, the black hole special effect was driven by the best minds in astrophysics and computer-generated based on actual theories. The end result was a reference for scientists on the potential behaviors of black holes. At the end of the movie, Coop attempts communication with his daughter, Murph, via another dimension.

Practical space props

It’s in this scene that the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto that Coop gives to Murph at the beginning of the movie gets a staring role. Coop manipulates the seconds hand of the Hamilton to communicate via Morse code with long “dah” movements and short “dit” jolts. Eventually, the theory for how Earth can survive is passed on to his daughter through a space time dimension. The ending is superb and it may be too clever for its own good, but on repeat viewings, the subtle nuances bring all the plot points together.

The Hamilton “Murph” got a staring role in Interstellar.

When it comes to movie wristwatches, it’s difficult to conjure a more involving plot device than the Hamilton Khaki in Interstellar. The problem is, during the cinematic release in 2014, that is all the watch was. Hamilton took five years to turn the Khaki Field Auto prop watch into a production piece. It didn’t seem to have an impact on enthusiasm as fans clamoured to get dibs on the early examples. We at Fratello even stock this watch in our shop, which you can view and purchase here. The central seconds hand includes the Morse code for “Eureka” in lume, which was exclaimed in the climax of the movie.

The Martian (2015) — Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO

Matt Damon went from a surprise cameo in the previous film on this list, Interstellar, to leading a sci-fi extravaganza the following year in The Martian. The film opens with Damon’s Mark Watney and his team already on the surface of Mars. At this point, it’s safe to assume that The Martian is science fiction, but it’s still grounded in reality. Just set a few decades into the future. A calamitous mishap occurs due to a natural weather event, and Watney is stranded on Mars in solitude.

With few options, Watney can at least lean on his knowledge of botany to grow potato crops. This buys him some additional months of survival along with the rations left in the Mars station. This is essential as any rescue attempt with such vast distances is destined to take significant time to carry out. I make it sound as if the movie is a depressing fight for survival. But in reality, Damon’s performance keeps things quite light-hearted and humorous. Especially in the scenes when his character joyously discovers a solution to a problem, such as communication to NASA on Earth.

Keeping the plot moving

Generally, the scientific explanations are kept quite thin in order for all audiences to engage with the plot. I do find a repeated line that explains away mathematical equations fairly irksome, however. Whenever the rescue team is assessing a theory, they tend to say, “I’ve run the numbers, and they check out.” I wish I could use that line in my life as frequently as they do in the movie to explain progress on a task. That said, The Martian is celebrated for its more realistic depiction of scientific solutions than we’re perhaps used to seeing (in films such as Gravity, for example).

Among my choice of movies here, this is the film I have re-watched the most by far. That is simply because both my wife and I enjoy watching Matt Damon’s performance — for different reasons, mind.

The Hamilton in The Martian closely resembles the main watch worn in Tenet.

Throughout the duration, Damon’s character wears a Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO. You may recognize the watch from last year’s Tenet. The pieces worn in Tenet had either a red or blue tip to the central seconds hand, but were otherwise the same.

The version in The Martian is matte grey and black with a brutish design. The aesthetic of the watch is quite apt for a neo-futuristic setting, but I would have loved to have seen a Speedmaster worn by Watney. I would not have minded had it been the more advanced X-33 that tracks mission, home, and local times. It does make me yearn for the day Omega release a Speedmaster capable of conquering Mars. Still, it does not detract from The Martian and I highly endorse seeking the film out.

First Man (2018) — Omega Speedmaster Professional 105.012 “Replica”

At the time of release, First Man received a substantial backlash — rather unfairly in my view. American audiences took offence to comments by Ryan Gosling, playing Neil Armstrong. Gosling’s statements about Apollo XI being a human achievement instead of an American achievement didn’t sit well. It’s true that the world owes credit to the efforts of American citizens that form the majority of NASA. But in my view, Gosling’s statements reflect what the program meant to humankind.

One small step for man.

In First Man, there was also less emphasis made on the placement of the American flag, which many considered an unpatriotic move. I couldn’t say I took notice of that the first time around. But having watched it again, I believe it would have been good to dedicate a bit of screen time to the momentous occasion of planting the flag on the moon. It’s a shame, as these initial controversies over-shadowed what is an absolutely beautiful tale of an American hero. The director of First Man utilizes a steady-cam and extreme close-ups to showcase the brutality of space flight.

Up close and personal

In the opening sequence, Armstrong pilots an X-15 to sub-orbital altitudes. Instead of a long-shot showing the aircraft gracefully arching above the atmosphere, the scene takes place exclusively in the cockpit. This highlights how rickety these vehicles are when placed under incredible stress. And, importantly, it shows the physical strain endured by the pilots themselves. This replicates across several scenes for the various missions. In the Gemini VIII module docking test, the violent spinning of the craft is almost nauseating but manages to make a powerful impact.

Omega Speedmasters made for the movie

In the Gemini VIII mission, Janet Armstrong listens intently with her “squawk box” radio back on Earth. Of course, First Man is also the story about Armstrong and his home life. And it’s more in these scenes that we get the best shots of Armstrong wearing his watch. In the earlier scenes, he is wearing Omega Seamaster CK2605 sourced from the Omega museum for the film. But as the space program ramps up, Armstrong sports an Omega Speedmaster Professional. As do fellow portrayals of astronauts, including Ed White who is wearing a replica of the reference 105.003 on a Forstner JB Komfit bracelet.

The Speedmasters in First Man look like older references but are brand new.

I say “replica” most kindly as Omega recreated the older style of the watch specifically for the movie. This way, the Speedmasters don’t look vintage as you would expect them to appear brand new in the era portrayed. Armstrong rocks the reference 105.012 also on a JB Komfit. It was sad we didn’t get to see them strapping the Speedy on the outside of the spacesuit as we did in Apollo 13. However, I am grateful that Omega agreed to recreate the Speedmaster for the production. No doubt the brand did this by basing the design of Armstrong’s prop watch on his actual mission Speedmaster that is on display at the Smithsonian.

What are your favorite space movie watches? Any films you suggest I check out? Let me know in the comments.