What’s in a film? Arguably it’s the story, the acting skills, or perhaps the actors themselves who take precedence. But at SolitaireLuxe, we look out for the details — iconic watches. We round up who was wearing what and where, and how to get the same look.
OMEGA
Seamaster Professional & Seamaster Planet Ocean in Casino Royale (2006)
“Rolex?” Bond replies, “Omega.”
Cool, calm, and cocky, this was perhaps the perfect one-liner to establish the brand’s presence. From the Rolex-filled days of Sean Connery, Daniel Craig well embodied his version of James Bond with a series of Omega watches throghout his movies.
In Casino Royale, he wore not one, but two Seamaster watches — a Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size, black on black with a steel case on a rubber strap. Later, he switches to a Seamaster Diver just shy of a couple of millimetres yet, a tad more dressy. The muted blue dial is designed with a wavy pattern, paying homage to the brand’s maritime heritage.
TISSOT
Tissot T-Touch in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
We like this because its tactile technology is undeniably spy-esque. It is a leather watch with more than a time-telling function, and its look carries over from daytime to the weekend. Worn by Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs Smith, the Tissot T-Touch was well-suited for the female assassin. Customised specialised to suit the film, the bezel was fitted with a few extra functions that’s designed to kill. Now with a more streamlined design, we suggest the Tissot T-Touch Lady Solar for a similar replica. Jolie also donned the black dial version of the T-Touch on her role in Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
TAG HEUER
The Monaco in Le Mans (1971)
Manufactured under Swiss Heuer, the legacy of the Heuer Monaco screams Steve McQueen. At a glance, the square-faced dial resembles a race car’s dashboard — fitted with minute and hour sub-dials, and red hash marks. A blue-faced watch for a blue-eyed man, McQueen carried the Monaco with him into a timeless association.
Today, what watch aficionados will call a “true re-edition”, the 2015 Monaco Calibre 11 closely echoes what the actor donned in Le Mans. From the placement of push buttons and winding crown to the return of the black sub-dial hands, this edition will finish first.
BREITLING
Breitling Chrono Avenger in Blood Diamond (2006)
Dubbed by the brand as ‘the embodiment of power in action’, the Breitling Chrono Avenger takes on a role of vengeance and redemption alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond.
Ready for action in a titanium 44mm case, the watch comes with a brown calf leather strap with uniform white stitching. The raised bezel frames a busy chapter ring, with second, minute, and hour sub dials at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. There is a debate as to whether the dial colour in the movie is black or blue, but watch fans have determined this to anti-reflective coating of the sapphire crystal. The Avenger II chronograph comes available in blue, black or grey dials, with the option of a steel bracelet, and rubber, canvas or leather strap.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE
Reverso Grande Taille in Batman Begins (2005)
Bruce Wayne and the Reverso Grande Taille — an absolute pair for the Swiss watch and a billionaire, is it not? First worn by Val Kilmer, the Reverso returned to the wrist of Christian Bale’s Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy.
The concept for an angular watch face that would behave as a hidden facet was patented in the ’30s and seen as an ingenious horological mechanism. It was a watch that allowed you to admire both the front and the back, the latter decorated with engraving, both artistic and personalised. The seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock is fitted with the same rectangular shape with blued steel baton hands, and finished with a brown alligator leather strap.
Image opener courtesy of OMEGA; CASINO ROYALE
