Putting to one side all the futile hand-wringing about how overwhelmingly mercenary product placement at The Academy Awards has become, I still get a little dopamine kick out of seeing what everybody is sporting (below the cuff, as it were) at Hollywood’s preeminent primetime awards show. The 2023 Oscars (a.k.a. the 95th Academy Awards) is no exception.
While Cartier and Omega – the Swiss watch industry’s 2nd and 3rd largest brands by market share respectively – dominated the red carpet style stakes, I was even more intrigued by the relative absence of steel sports watches – which were showed up in a big way by slim leather-strapped dress watches and beguiling jewellery designs that might even give the Met Gala a run for its money.
A relatively inconsequential part of what has felt like a big year at The Academy – the AVClub is running a pretty tight recap at the moment about all the ‘firsts’ to spring from this year’s awards – it was nevertheless gratifying to see a return to elegant Oscars style across the board.
RELATED: ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Wins Best Picture At The 2023 Oscars
Check out all of our favourite watches spotted at the 2023 Oscars below.
Brendan Fraser – OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope
A beautiful two-register Speedmaster Chronoscope, worn by one of the most iconic actors of the 90s who, this year, returns to the cinematic mainstream with a thunderous Best Actor win for his performance in The Whale.
Dwayne Johnson – TAG Heuer Aquaracer
Taking time out of his post-Black Adam promotional schedule, The Rock gave eagle-eyed watch spotters one of their biggest curveballs of the evening – courtesy of this handsome 40mm Aquaracer (that looks like a 36mm dress watch on the actor and Teramana Tequila frontman).
Hong Chau – Panerai Luminor Due Luna
Fraser’s The Whale co-star and fellow Oscar nominee opted for a classic bit of colour coordination – matching the dusty pink strap of her Luminor Due moonphase (a fan-favourite of among Paneristi) with her sleeveless Prada gown (custom-made, of course).
Idris Elba – Gucci G-Timeless Planetarium
One of the most ‘WTF?!’ wristchecks at this year’s Oscars – in a good way – Idris Elba (Luther: Fallen Sun) tackled the red carpet in the G-Timeless Planetarium. A six-figure middle finger to the traditional solemnity of Swiss watchmaking, its centrepiece complications include a tourbillon and ‘dancing hours’ display.
Michelle Yeoh – Richard Mille 37-02 (Piece Unique)
The Grande Dame of Asian cinema – who most punters will know from her icy supporting turn in Crazy Rich Asians – brought the horological heat to the 2023 Oscars: celebrating her Best Actress win in the most stupendous of style – with a one-off RM 07-02 in clear sapphire made by Richard Mille. “Not for sale,” indeed…
Riz Ahmed – Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Self-Winding
A refined, below-the-line choice for one of the industry’s most talented young actors – go see Sound Of Metal – Ahmed rocked Vacheron Constantin’s classic Patrimony three-hander, with only the smallest of embellishments in the guise of a date window. Now, if only he were to wear this white gold heater back to front…
Lenny Kravitz – JLC Reverso Classic Duoface Small Seconds
On-stage to perform Calling All Angels for the ‘In Memoriam’ segment of the 2023 Oscars, Kravitz’s choice in wristwear offered a neat riposte to his legendary rocker status. Interestingly, the award-winning musician opted to wear the watch ‘Verso dial out for the duration of the awards – a great choice given this Reverso’s velvety, hobnailed-decorated secondary bezel.
Ke Huy Quan – OMEGA Globemaster
Like the film for which he just clinched the Best Supporting Actor award, Ke Huy Quan has been seemingly winning everything, everywhere all at once this awards season.
Criminally underutilised for decades, the Academy Award winner celebrated his return to the big screen with a suitably understated option – an OMEGA Chronomaster, inspired by the elegant Constellation dress watches of the 1960s. Undoubtedly: a watch you’d be happy to wear while doing laundry and taxes with your loved ones.
Paul Mescal – Tank Chinoise
Best Actor nominee Paul Mescal in flares, wearing a $50,000+ Tank Chinoise in platinum. Need I say more?
