It’s one of global entertainment’s most photographed nights — so it stands to reason that if you’re on the 3,000-odd guest list for the Academy Awards, you dress as exclusively as you can. And given that there’s some silverware to be won, you can bet that entertainers, stylists and watch-brands alike will be paying a lot of attention to the event’s horological choices.
From loud and obvious picks to some genuinely impressive watch-world deep cuts, here’s our list of the top watches spotted at the famous Dolby Theatre last weekend:
Ryan Gosling’s TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma
The TAG Heuer ambassador, who made headlines for a ton of epic Carrera renditions all through 2023, is wearing exactly the brand you’d expect, though the fare on offer here has definitely turned heads. Launched just this January, the Carrera Plasma brings a ton of glam to the classic sports watch formula, cased in 18k white gold with 4.9-carat diamonds on the dial. It even includes a pink lab-grown diamond in the shape of TAG Heuer’s crest, a subtle nod to Barbie.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph
Continuing his long tradition of wearing JLCs, the Best Supporting Actor-winner suited up in all-black and gold, choosing a subtle, stylish Reverso in pink gold to compliment his outfit and his first-ever Academy Award.
Matthew McConaughey’s Jacob & Co. Jean Bugatti
Possibly one of the rarest watches to be worn at the Oscars this year, this one-off Calibre watch, limited to 57 examples, features unique peripheral RPM-styled hands, a fascinating double-retrograde chronograph, and one of Jacob & Co.’s greatest set of complications.
Simu Liu’s Jacob & Co. The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone
Liu’s collection usually leans towards IWC pieces — having worn the timeless Portuguese in several iterations across many red-carpet appearances. He’s also been known to wear an IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph on days off, but chose a beautiful J&C piece for the Oscars ceremony this year. Featuring lacquered oceans in deep blue beneath a striking set of continents set in textured rose gold, Liu’s eye-catching timepiece rides the fine line between understated and over-the-top.
Michelle Yeoh’s Richard Mille RM 07-02
Having been associated with the watchmaker for quite a while now, Yeoh has been spotted wearing some of the most bespoke, creatively luxurious RMs for quite some time. Previously spotted with incredible examples such as the RM 19-02 ‘Tourbillion Fleur’ and RM 51-02 ‘Tourbillion Diamond Twister’, the legendary Malaysian actress chose the ‘Automatic Sapphire’ this time around, opting for a clear sapphire case set with diamonds on the dial — it’s a piece that’s as jewellery as it is a wristwatch.
Cord Jefferson’s White-Dial Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
The white Speedy has just rolled off shelves early last week — and the Best Adapted Screenplay winner seems to have been waiting in line at Omega stores, with watchmaking’s freshest standard-issue release of 2024 making an appearance on his wrist. Having only featured white dials in special editions in the past, this all-new take on the Moonwatch offers a fan-favourite finish in stainless steel, making it one of the most desirable new watch buys of the year.
Rodger Federer’s 2023 Rolex ‘Le Mans’ Daytona Ref. 126529LN
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Le Mans last year, Rolex (somewhat uncharacteristically) broke with tradition and released this unabashedly ‘extra’ version of the Daytona — watch release calendar be damned. In response, tennis legend Federer seems to have picked up one of these reverse-panda watches, which comes with clever design callbacks to the original.
Bad Bunny’s 2018 Cartier Tank Cintrée Skeleton
Cartier’s rectangular wristwatch obsession peaked pre-pandemic at the crest of the famous Tank wristwatch’s 100th anniversary. Bad Bunny seems to have picked up a platinum version (limited to 100 pieces) in the meantime — with this skeletonised variant offering one of the rarest, most-unique spins on one of France’s all-time favourite watch designs.
