Fratello Talks: Watches In Cinema

The ones that work, those that don't, and some memorable sightings

November 09, 2023

comments 21

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. You join RJ, Timo, and your host Nacho, who are going to be covering a rather broad topic. This week, it’s all about watches in cinema. In this episode, we’ll cover anything from memorable sightings to examples of marketing gone too far. How much can brands get away with when it comes to blatant product placement? And does it actually have its desired effect? We also cover movie-themed watches and touch upon some of our favorites featured on film. But first, let’s see what we can spot on the guys’ wrists today.

Wrist check

We kick things off this week with Timo, Fratello’s CEO, who makes his first appearance on the Fratello Talks video podcast. His watch of choice this week could not have been more on point for the topic of discussion. It’s the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M No Time To Die special edition (reference 210.90.42.20.01.001). This watch is not only featured in a movie but was also made specifically for one. If you want to read all about the most recent screen-used Bond watch, you can find RJ’s hands-on review from 2019 here.

Next, we have RJ, who is wearing one of his many Omega Speedmasters. Today, he has opted for the wonderful Calibre 321 “Ed White” (reference 311.30.40.30.01.001). At 39.7mm, it’s slightly smaller than the beloved Moonwatch, but with its straight lugs and lack of crown (and pusher) guards, it’s a whole beast. Visible through the exhibition case back, Omega’s recreation of the venerable 321 chronograph caliber makes this a very special Speedy indeed.

Rounding off the Omega trifecta featured in today’s podcast, we have your host Nacho, who is wearing his Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. Clearly, he couldn’t remember the right reference, but RJ quickly confirmed that it was indeed a 3570.50.00. This was his first luxury watch, and can you blame him? You really can’t go wrong with this timeless classic. It’s also a watch that has appeared in several memorable films. But if you want to know more, you’ll have to tune in and listen to the episode!

Mike Stockton’s Seiko 6105-8110 “Captain Willard,” the model that Martin Sheen wore in Apocalypse Now

Watches in cinema

The watch you saw at the top of this article sold at auction (again) last weekend for just under €5,000,000. Marlon Brando’s Rolex GMT-Master from Apocalypse Now is a prime example of a watch made remarkable by its appearance in the film. With your three podcast participants being European and/or from a generation that was a bit late to the Apocalypse Now party, this one was not mentioned. However, as you’ll hear, they were able to come up with many examples.

Daniel Craig wearing an Omega Seamaster 1948 in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery — Image: Netflix

From the obvious to the obscure, from the protagonist’s hero prop/plot device (see below) to the punchline of a Pulp Fiction joke, there are plenty of watches that spring to mind when thinking of cinematic appearances. But how do we feel about it when it becomes a full-on marketing exercise? Are the best uses of watches those that remain subtle and that can be attributed to the work of a savvy prop master? All that and more in today’s episode!

The recent 38mm version of the Hamilton “Murph watch” from Interstellar

As you’ve already seen, we’re far from perfect at covering the many appearances of significant watches in cinema (and TV), so we’d love to hear from you. Let us know your favorite watch features on the silver screen in the comments section below.

And, as always, tune in next week for another episode of Fratello Talks!

Featured image: Phillips

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Fratello Talks: Watches In Cinema

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EB
EDDI2142 says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 07:45

Great topic, thanks for bringing it up!
I’m biased, but I think Omega gets some really “fitting” screen time (not sure how much the brand intends this).
Ok Bond is a clear product placement, but in even there the “gadget” theme fits really well.
In La La Land Ryan Gosling wears an Omega (not sure what model) that goes well his character, the theme and the style of the movie. Similarly I think that the Seamaster 1948 in Glass Onion was a great choice for the detective.
Naturally most Apollo related appearances (Apollo 13, First Man) are easy wins.
However, I think the Omega “RAF” 1940, ref CK2129 from Dunkirk takes the cake. Nolan did a great job sourcing that watch for the role of Tom Hardy (Spitfire pilot in the Royal Air Force).

Reply
1. DG
  GoldenYears says:
  
  Nov 09, 2023 at 09:29
  
  Rudolf Valentino in his 1926 box-office hit, “The Son of the Sheik” wearing his Cartier Tank has to be one of the most memorable appearances of a watch on the big screen.
  
  Reply
2. Timo says:
  
  Nov 09, 2023 at 09:30
  
  It’s very much orchestrated marketing by Omega. Most likely not all appearances of course, but the standout ones are quite likely to be paid product placements.
  
  And you are absolutely right, that Omega in Lalaland was an amazing fit and shown prominently.
  
  And when it comes to James Bond – imo, it has one of the very best marketing lines woven into dialogue ever: the attractive lady asks “nice watch, Rolex?” – “No, Omega”. Brilliant piece of marketing right there. (Paraphrasing from memory, the exact wording in Casino Royale might be different)
  
  Reply
  1. DG
    GoldenYears says:
    
    Nov 09, 2023 at 10:05
    
    The 34mm Omega watch worn by Ryan Gosling in Lalaland is very cool. Would make a great boring, grandfather watch. Wish Omega will bring these back as new reissues. This watch on leather would be a nice daily watch to wear if it was new with 50-100m WR and an updated movement. Maybe a non-coaxial movement. ??
    
    Reply
  2. Moonwatcher says:
    
    Nov 09, 2023 at 10:59
    
    Let me quote from an old article published in the Guardian online on 13th June 2007 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/jun/13/untimelyrippedoff :
    
    “* if you want to have James Bond’s shaken-not-stirred allure, you wear an Omega, like Daniel Craig (surely the clumsiest piece of product placement of all time has Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale say to Craig’s Bond, “Nice watch. Rolex?” He replies: “No, Omega.” Clunkier even than the watch)”
    
    As much as I love my sea and speedmaster, I stand with the Guardian here ;-)))
    
    Reply
    1. DG
      GoldenYears says:
      
      Nov 09, 2023 at 12:23
      
      ?
      
      Reply
    2. Timo says:
      
      Nov 09, 2023 at 15:27
      
      Looking at sales vs. the quote from the linked article, it’s once more clear that these kinds of columnists are giving a personal and biased opinion that doesn’t take objective data into account (or behavioural economy, like the halo effect).
      
      Reply
      1. Moonwatcher says:
        
        Nov 09, 2023 at 15:41
        
        Come on,, it’s about having fun, isn’t it ? ;-). Of course it’s biased and all but objective, just see the ironic style of the article! Sales have nothing to do with a watch being clunky or not, do they ? Otherwise exit all Black Bay 41’s, Omega Speedmaster 2 counters, PO’s, even 300m’s, many Longines, e.a.
        As a sidenote, I might be totally ignorant of the hidden processes my brain goes through when exposed to product placement, however my SMP 300m sure didn’t land on my wrist thanks to or because of Bond, James Bond.
        
        Reply
        
        Timo says:
        
        Nov 10, 2023 at 11:08
        
        You are right – it IS about having fun! Didn’t mean to partypoop. Regarding the marketing and when to consider it clumsy:
        
        There is a very easy and objective criteria: Was there a return on investment?
        
        Of course, “easy” is a little bit deceiving. If you are creating PPC advertising, it’s very easy: I paid 100.000€ and made 140.000€. Profit. Success. However, in the case of a luxury brand, you have to keep longterm impact in mind – e.g. what did it do to brand perception? Maybe there was a short-term influx of new customers and looking at the quarterly earnings while the campaign aired, there was a big profit; but it disgruntled existing affluent customers that are turning away from the brand. It’s very easy to say that the MoonSwatch was a success short term. Long term the question might be what it does to Omega as a brand? Currently, it looks like the overall impact is positive.
        
        To bring it back to the James Bond product placement: The effects, according to what we know, is very positive. You have to look at the whole audience, of course. Even the best marketing campaign will only ever please some people, some of the time. Both you and I didn’t pick our Seamasters because of the Bond tie-in (that’s why I mention it in the podcast. I got the NTTD Seamster because I love light watches, no date, and the broad arrow: A close friend of mine who was in the SAS died a while ago and this watch keeps him “close” in my memory). And some might even be deterred to buy one because of the tie-in marketing. But that is fine – you win some, you lose some. For the marketing to be successful you just need to win more than you lose. Everything else is optimization.
        
        That was again a very un-fun answer – but hopefully adds some interesting context 🙂
        
        Reply
MB
MarkBu says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 11:02

It get’s fun when a watch is integral to the plot. The Murph plays a strong role in ‘Interstellar’, but nothing beats Butch’s watch in ‘Pulp Fiction’.

Reply
DL
puredcl says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 11:20

Great topic indeed, on marketing / placement / prop etc. On this, interesting approach from actor & horologist Aldis Hodge – choosing pieces for characters, and generally championing the independent. There is logic and thought behind the watches he chooses for character to wear on screen. And in talking about [interview on Quill & Pad] choosing to wear a kurono classic in the 2020 The Invisible Man: ‘I can straddle the worlds of both entertainment and horology, when I have the opportunity to support other brands, primarily independents who I respect and really admire, through my entertainment efforts, those are the opportunities I take’ …

Reply
Enuona says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 12:32

George Clooney in Syriana. Sensible.

Reply
Brian-Waller says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 16:13

Two for two (known/mystery). Russell Crowe wears a Speedy on a stretchy bracelet in The Nice Guys. Still haven’t sorted Ryan Gosling’s watch in the same movie. For in your face there’s a whole screen’s worth of Peter Gibbons’ Belair in Office Space. Not sure what Lumbergh has on his wrist in OS though I suspect it’s a two tone DJ.

Reply
TickinTimeBaum says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 16:43

For me some notable movie watches which are pretty “mainstream” yet “obscure”, and also the watches themselves are “mainstream” yet “niche”:
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate 00.10908.08.13.01 and Tissot Heritage 1973 T124.427.16.031.01

For sure the “stock” of John Wick’s: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate 00.10908.08.13.01 will rise due to three factors:

1. Rolex bought the company -> people will take notice
2. John Wick’s legendary status means fans will pore through the details ever more closely and will find the watch…especially if CFB starts using it more in marketing
3. The watch itself is an incredibly solid, classical, high-quality piece which is very ageless. I personally would choose another watch from CFB’s lineup but who am I to judge John Wick?

——

A very different one is yet another secret agent watch. Not nearly as known as James Bond, Ethan Hunt or Austin Powers but to anyone who has seen the (actually high-quality) trilogy no less cool: OSS 117 himself, the character Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath created by Jean Bruce and recently played in the resurrected modern film trilogy by Oscar winner Jean Dujardin!

(Even many fans of the movies don’t know that he’s an American, not French. His family is of French descent but he was born in Louisiana.)

Fittingly for a lighter, more comical character who probably won’t be followed by fans willing to splurge as much on a less serious ‘infatuation’ or ‘role model’, the watch he wears is very affordable. I’d say a bit too affordable as several details are a bit sub-par in his Tissot Heritage 1973 T124.427.16.031.01. But still a fun watch, ‘daily beater’ capable, and an especially easy way to show your appreciation for OSS 117.

Reply
JW
JWarg says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 18:51

The Big Short there’s some very correctly placed watches:
Steve Carrel:Rolex Submariner
Vinny Daniel:Rolex OysterQuartz
Anthony Bourdain: Rolex OP
Ryan Gosling:IWC Portugieser Chronograph
And others like Cartier Tank ..
Regards

Reply
1. Timo says:
  
  Nov 10, 2023 at 10:56
  
  Nice, they did indeed a good job in that movie. You mentioning the Portugieser made me remember House of Cards. Kevin Spacey is rocking a Portugieser in it.
  
  Reply
MA
Mike76 says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 20:26

George Clooney in the American. His Speedy gets prominent screen time in two scenes when he’s timing the shooting splits of the female assassin and while he is awaiting a chiming bell while assembling a homemade suppressor in his room. Movie was nothing to write home about but remains memorable to me largely because of the Speedy scenes.

Reply
1. Timo says:
  
  Nov 10, 2023 at 10:54
  
  Obviously agree – that’s why I brought it up in the podcast! 😀
  
  BUT… I did think the movie was great. A breath of fresh air to have a slow, character focused movie in a sea of fast-cut over-to-top action flicks.
  
  Reply
meruhl says:

Nov 10, 2023 at 03:05

Anthony Mackie in The Adjustment Bureau.

Reply
GaLaHad says:

Nov 14, 2023 at 21:07

I think the Daytona Paul Newman 6263 in “Crazy Rich Asians” is worth a mention here.
Not a good movie by any mean (the typical movie tailored for long haul flights) but there is a major focus on the watch when it’s offered as a gift

The (authentic) watch was allegedly loaned by a major collector from Singapore and flown to Kuala Lumpur for the shooting. All this arranged in 48h by Eric Wind and Eric Ku. See link below for the full story.

https://www.windvintage.com/blog/2018/8/23/the-story-of-the-rolex-paul-newman-daytona-in-crazy-rich-asians

Reply
MV
Soonervickery says:

Nov 22, 2023 at 21:02

Fun topic.

A couple I think of are ‘ Ford v Ferrari and the Heuer watches worn. I also always remember ‘ Three Days of the Condor’ and Robert Redford’s Doxa on a bund strap.

Reply