The world’s biggest actors, sportsmen, business personalities, and viral sensations guide much of the global watch algorithm—and while there are Pateks and APs aplenty, you’ll find some excellent nuanced choices amongst the who’s-who of the watch-collecting world. Here's who we thought were the finest wrist candy picks of the year, who wore them, and where we spotted them:

Pierce Brosnan’s Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 

 
A classic for a timeless gentleman—and a former 007 at that—Pierce Brosnan’s choice of the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 is an ode to understated elegance. Spotted at this year’s Wimbledon Championships, the watch holds a special place in Brosnan’s heart, as he recalls buying it while filming Laws of Attraction in New York back in the early 2000s. “I came out of the store, my knees were shaking [due to] how much money I just dropped,” he shared in an interview with British GQ. 

The rectangular art deco design paired with a sleek silver dial channels Brosnan’s suave persona, evoking the sophistication of his James Bond days. Though no longer bound to Omega’s Seamaster legacy, Brosnan’s free-agent watch collection reveals his genuine love for timepieces—especially timeless dress watches like this one. 

Shah Rukh Khan’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin 

King Khan and the Royal Oak share a love for breaking records. One of Shah Rukh’s choice at the Locarno Film Festival, the AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, was the world’s automatic perpetual calendar watch during its 2018 reveal; Its iconic octagonal design and titanium finish scream innovation and luxury. Just like Shah Rukh’s films, this watch blends tradition with modernity, proving why it’s fit for Bollywood royalty. 

Rafael Nadal’s Richard Mille RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal 

The King of Clay has been associated with Richard Mille for about fourteen years now; a partnership that’s resulted in eleven different watches, all themed around top-tier performance, lightness, and agility. Though RM released the svelte RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Carbon TPT this year in Nadal’s honour, he chose an older collab model—2020’s RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal—to play one of the most important matches of his life: the last one of his professional career. Waving this impossibly light 30g watch at the Davis Cup finals, Rafa highlighted a piece that’s as much a marvel of engineering as it is a celebration of his legacy. Capable of withstanding shock forces up to an astounding 12,000g, it features a unique steel racquet-inspired cable suspension system, with the movement held in place by a 0.27mm-thick cable that’s woven through 10 polished titanium hooks. 

Jr NTR’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split Second Chronograph GMT Large Date 

Tollywood star Jr NTR showcased impeccable style with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date during the Devara Part 1 trailer launch alongside Saif Ali Khan. This 43mm titanium marvel features a sandblasted case with sleek black ceramic accents, offering a bold yet lightweight design. Its openworked dial reveals the intricate (638 parts) Calibre 4407 movement, a testament to Audemars Piguet’s mastery of horological innovation. Combining a flyback chronograph with split-seconds precision, a GMT function, and a large date display, it offers both versatility and sophistication. Boasting a remarkable 70-hour power reserve, it’s a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and refined aesthetics, ensuring it stands out in any setting. 

Mark Zuckerberg’s F.P. Journe Aluminium Centigraphe Sport 

Mark Zuckerberg’s horological journey kicked off in style after a viral interaction with Anant Ambani at the latter’s wedding sparked what seems to be a watch-buying frenzy for the world’s fourth-richest man. Enter the F.P. Journe Centigraphe Sport Aluminium—a standout choice for Zuck. Spotted during a Meta event, the watch is a technical masterpiece, housed in an ultra-light aluminium alloy case that weighs just 55 grams, including the bracelet. Its striking subdials measure intervals down to a hundredth of a second, a nod to precision engineering. The watch also features a manually wound movement with a power reserve of up to 80 hours. With money no object, Zuckerberg’s choices have been nothing short of fascinating, and apart from some better-known modern classics in his new collection, the Centigraphe proves he’s chosen exceptionally well, showcasing both understated elegance and avant-garde innovation. 

Timothée Chalamet’s Cartier Crash 2013 18k White Gold Diamonds 

The Dune star has been an ambassador for Cartier ever since 2021, and he’s been making full use of the position by sporting some truly iconic pieces at red carpet events. This year’s standout choice at the 2024 Golden Globes was a 1-of-267 edition released in 2013, characterised by a slew of diamonds across its famously mercurial bezel and a beautiful 18K white gold ‘droplet’ bracelet—perfect for Hollywood’s favourite pretty boy. The Cartier Crash, with its surreal, Dali-esque design, has been enjoying a celebrity renaissance, spotted on the wrists of style icons everywhere from the Met Gala to the Olympics. A watch synonymous with rebellion and unconventional elegance, it’s fast becoming a favourite among a new generation of tastemakers.  

Chris Hemsworth’s Iced-Out Chopard Alpine Eagle ‘Frozen’ 

At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Chris Hemsworth turned heads not just with his attire but with a frozen Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 on his wrist. Worn just a week after its sober grey-dial-on-gold sibling at the Met Gala, this tricked-out watch features an 18-carat white gold case and integrated bracelet, both entirely set with diamonds. Powered by the Chopard 01.03-C movement with automatic winding and a 60-hour power reserve, the watch is brought together by a bezel adorned with deep blue trapeze-cut sapphires, adding a vibrant touch to its icy brilliance that Chopard likens to the glistening of snowflakes on alpine peaks. While some purists may consider it a shame to lose out on the Alpine Eagle’s classic ‘eagle-eye’ themed dial finish, there’s also a time for opulence, atleast for Hemsworth. Why not at Cannes? 

Robert Downey Jr.’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph   

At the prestigious EE British Academy Film Awards, Robert Downey Jr. showcased his signature sophistication with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph in stainless steel. This modern iteration of the iconic Reverso pairs a refined blue-grey sunray dial with a sleek stainless-steel case, embodying contemporary elegance. True to the Reverso’s duality, the watch flips from a clean face to an intricate chronograph on the reverse, blending style, technical brilliance, and a touch of eccentricity—qualities that perfectly mirror the actors’ unending reserves of charisma. 

Ranbir Kapoor’s A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone 

Possibly the most understated yet outstanding choice among Indian celebrities this year, Ranbir Kapoor’s pick of what appears to be a mid-2000s rose gold Lange 1 during the portrait session of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival speaks volumes about his refined taste and serious appreciation for haute horology. The Lange 1 is a masterpiece of asymmetry, with its off-centre time display, signature oversized date, and power reserve indicator arranged in a perfectly balanced layout. Crafted in warm rose gold, the mid-2000s model showcases an elegant, brushed finish on the case paired with a pristine dial that subtly reflects light. This October, A. Lange & Söhne, the German dress watch maestros, introduced exciting dial and metal updates for the Lange 1—a ‘holy grail’ model for collectors. True to Lange’s style, these updates were incremental yet exquisitely refined, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to perfection.