Cool Watches

Who: Steve McQueen

Film: Le Mans

Quote:”"Racing is life… everything before and after is just waiting.”

Watch: Tag Heuer Monaco

The Tag Monaco worn by Steve Mcqueen established itself as arguably the coolest and most iconic of images of both actor and watch.

The 1971 film Le Mans was the film that really introduced Hollywood to the exciting world of motor racing. Steve McQueen was not only an actor, but also a race car driver and passionate motorsport enthusiast.

For the film he chose to wear the Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph originally released in 1969, the equivalent model today is the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Automatic Chronograph. Price about $3000

McQueen also wore a Rolex Submariner (though not in Le Mans) which leads us nicely to the next on the list.

Who: James Bond

Film: Goldfinger

Quote:”Do you expect me to talk? No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.”

Watch: Rolex Submariner

The ultimate gentleman spy, suave and sophisticated, Bond keeps his cool under pressure. Whether disarming a ticking bomb or seeing off another would-be assasin he does it all with style and panache without breaking a sweat and rounds it off nicely with a witty remark.

In later James Bond movies he switched to wearing the Omega Seamaster also a cool watch. In between Q-Branch issued him with various digital watches mostly by Seiko. But of the bunch its felt that the Rolex Submariner with the RAF strap featured in the early Connery films just beats the Seamaster in terms of coolness. It is also the watch that Ian Fleming specifies in his Bond books.

The result of some watch sleuthing this is an article on a selection of actors ranging from the silent screen era to recent times.
From Charlie Chaplin to Robert Redford, from “The Tramp” to to the “Sundance Kid”. Information on their watch and a few interesting facts about the person.

Find out what these 10 cool actors chose to use for their timepieces.

Arranged alphabetically.

Who: Blade

Film: Blade

Quote:”…you’re nothing to me but another dead vampire.”

Watch: Oakley Blade II

Apparently Wesley Snipes loves Oakley Sunglasses and wore them throughout the Blade trilogy, perhaps that’s partly how the design of this watch came about..

With a case design similar to the styling of some of the throwing weapons he uses in the Blade movies, the Oakley Blade is one of those cool watches that has looks that kill.

The case is beautifully sculpted out of Steel and Oakley’s ‘Unobtanium’ and the way the hands subtly curve suggestively of a Samurai sword is a nice stylistic touch. Price about $500

Who: Agent Smith

Film: The Matrix

Quote:”You hear that Mr. Anderson?… That is the sound of inevitability…”

Watch: Tokyoflash Kisai Keisan

The most individualistic agent in the Matrix, Agent Smith was also the main antagonist of Neo in the trilogy. Cool, calm and collected he was the ultimate bad guy in the series.

As to the watch, well it had to be green and futuristic didn’t it! So after some digging around there were a few choices in this area.

In the end we discovered the ideal watch in the Tokyoflash Kisai Keisan. As with most Tokyoflash watches, a little explanation is usually helpful. In this case, when you press the button four rows of LED’s appear, you add the numbers shown to determine the time. For more in depth explanation click the link above.

Who: Max Rockatansky aka ‘Road Warrior’

Film: Mad Max II

Quote:”You want to get out of here? You talk to me.”

Watch: Japanese Steampunk watch by Haruo Suekichi

Mad Max 2 the Australian post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller launched the career of Mel Gibson.

In it Gibson plays the embittered Max Rockatansky a scavenger trying to survive in a world over run by marauding gangs of mohawked, leather-bondage-clad punk bikers.

The Mad Max trilogy is notable for its outlandishly creative fashion sense, neo-primitive punk designs accessorized with bits of scrap-metal and chicken wire.

In fitting with this post-apocalyptic vision we chose one of the cool watches by Japanese steam punk watch creator Haruo Suekichi.
It was hard to decide which one, because in fact almost any of Haruo Suekichi’s cool watches would suit we think.

Who: Tyler Durden

Film: Fight Club

Quote:”It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.”

Watch: Diesel SBA DZ4160

We’ve chosen the Diesel “Freak of Nature” for Tyler Durden since we think that its a design that suits his (split) personality.

Not only that but we think its cool unconventional design would fit his quirky fashion sense.

But since Tyler Durden is such an anti-materialistic character: “The things you own end up owning you”, he would probably shun possession of a wristwatch anyway.

“Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken.”-TD