The red carpet is not just a runway for haute couture; it is the most exclusive stage for haute horlogerie. As of late 2024, the trend of A-list celebrities pairing their bespoke suits and gowns with million-dollar timepieces has reached a fever pitch, transforming awards season into a premier watch-spotting event. This year’s major events—the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Met Gala, and the Cannes Film Festival—delivered an unprecedented parade of wrist candy, showcasing everything from diamond-set Richard Milles to unexpected, classic dress watches and even coveted sports models. The watches worn by the world's biggest stars are a powerful statement of personal style, brand ambassadorship, and pure horological passion.
The 2024 awards circuit proved that for men, and increasingly for women, the watch is the final, most significant accessory. Forget simple cufflinks; the true measure of sartorial excellence now rests on the wrist. From the minimalist elegance of a Cartier Tank to the technical complexity of an Audemars Piguet tourbillon, the timepieces of the year reveal a fascinating shift in celebrity horological taste, moving towards both understated classics and hyper-exclusive, avant-garde complications.
The A-List Wrist: Celebrity Watch Spotting at the 2024 Oscars and Golden Globes
The 2024 Academy Awards and Golden Globes set the benchmark for luxury watch spotting this year, with brand ambassadors and independent collectors alike showcasing some truly remarkable pieces. The trend leaned heavily into classic elegance and models that perfectly complemented the formal wear, yet still offered a glimpse of the wearer's unique personality.
- Jeremy Strong (Richard Mille RM 72-01): The Succession star continued his reign as the red carpet's most dedicated Richard Mille enthusiast. At the Golden Globes, Strong sported a diamond-set Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle Flyback Chronograph in white gold. This choice perfectly encapsulated the actor's reputation for wearing hyper-exclusive, technically complex haute horlogerie pieces that defy traditional dress codes.
- Colman Domingo (OMEGA De Ville Prestige): A standout moment at the Oscars was Colman Domingo's choice. As an OMEGA ambassador, he wore the elegant OMEGA De Ville Prestige (Ref. 434.13.40.20.01.001). This 40mm stainless steel model with a black dial and Roman numerals offered a sophisticated, understated contrast to the bolder choices of his peers, proving that classic dress watches are back in a major way.
- Cillian Murphy (OMEGA): The Best Actor winner was spotted wearing an OMEGA, a fitting choice for the brand's association with precision and history. While specific models vary in reports, OMEGA's presence was strong at the Oscars.
- Dwyane Wade (Cartier Tank Must): Embracing timeless simplicity, Dwyane Wade attended the Oscars wearing the iconic Cartier Tank Must (large model, Ref. WSTA0059). The Tank's clean lines and storied history made it one of the most accessible yet sophisticated choices of the night, highlighting a trend for sensible, enduring timepieces.
- Mario Lopez (Rolex GMT-Master II): Mario Lopez brought a touch of robust utility to the formal event, wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II (Ref. 116710LN). This choice of a classic Rolex sports watch on the red carpet is a perennial favorite, blending luxury status with everyday practicality.
- Cord Jefferson (OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch): Oscar-winner Cord Jefferson wore the highly sought-after OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional White Dial (Ref. 310.30.42.50.04.001), affectionately known as the "White Snoopy." This unexpected choice of a chronograph on a formal carpet was a nod to serious watch collectors.
The Garden of Time: Exclusive Timepieces at the Met Gala 2024
The Met Gala, with its "Garden of Time" dress code, provided the perfect thematic backdrop for extravagant and unique timepieces. Celebrities leaned into the theme, choosing watches that were either highly ornate, incredibly rare, or featured complex, almost sculptural movements.
The event transformed into a showcase for high-jewelry watches and time-themed complications, demonstrating that the line between a luxury timepiece and a piece of high jewelry is increasingly blurred. This focus on intricate, artistic watches cemented the Met Gala as a crucial event for luxury watch spotting outside of traditional awards shows.
- Chris Hemsworth (Chopard Alpine Eagle 41): Co-hosting the event, Chris Hemsworth wore a Chopard, a brand known for its strong presence in both film and jewelry. He opted for the sporty-elegant Chopard Alpine Eagle 41, showcasing the rise of integrated bracelet sports watches in black tie settings.
- Serena Williams (Audemars Piguet Royal Oak): Serena Williams was spotted with an Audemars Piguet, specifically a model from the iconic Royal Oak line. The Audemars Piguet Sandgold Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon was a highlight, demonstrating how female celebrities are increasingly choosing mechanical masterpieces over simple diamond bracelets.
- Taika Waititi & Usher (Jacob & Co.): Both Taika Waititi and Usher chose timepieces from Jacob & Co., a brand synonymous with bold, high-concept luxury. This choice aligns with the Met Gala's spirit of maximalism and theatricality, with Jacob & Co. pieces often featuring complex, three-dimensional complications. Matthew McConaughey also wore a Jacob & Co. Jean Bugatti at the Oscars, reinforcing the brand's red carpet visibility.
- Barry Keoghan (OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra): Another OMEGA sighting, Barry Keoghan wore an elegant yet less-expected OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 34mm. The smaller size and versatile design of the Aqua Terra line make it a popular choice for a refined, modern look.
Cannes and Beyond: The Global Stage for Haute Horlogerie
The Cannes Film Festival, held on the French Riviera, offers a different flavor of celebrity timepiece spotting. The atmosphere is often more relaxed yet equally luxurious, allowing for a broader spectrum of styles, from classic dress watches to bold, colorful statements. The 2024 festival continued this tradition, with a strong showing from major Swiss watchmakers.
The red carpet watch trends observed at Cannes and other major international festivals like Venice and the BAFTAs confirm a few key shifts in haute horlogerie on the red carpet. There is a clear appreciation for technical mastery (tourbillons, chronographs) and a growing willingness to wear steel sports watches with formal attire, a trend that was once considered a horological faux pas.
The rise of the jewellery watch for women also deserves a special mention. The latest trend sees stars swapping out simple diamond bracelets for sophisticated, diamond-encrusted timepieces that are both functional and dazzling, offering a new height of sophistication.
Key Horological Entities and Trends from the 2024 Season
The collective wristwear of 2024's awards season highlights several key entities and emerging trends that are shaping the luxury watch market:
- The Richard Mille Phenomenon: Jeremy Strong’s continuous, high-profile wearing of Richard Mille—often gem-set and always technically advanced—solidifies the brand's status as the ultimate "if you know, you know" luxury timepiece on the red carpet.
- OMEGA's Versatility: OMEGA proved its dominance by dressing a diverse range of stars, from the elegant De Ville Prestige worn by Colman Domingo to the collector-favorite Speedmaster on Cord Jefferson, demonstrating the brand's mastery across classic and sports watch categories.
- The Integrated Bracelet Watch: Models like the Chopard Alpine Eagle and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak are now firmly established as red carpet staples. Their blend of rugged, sporty design with luxurious finishing makes them the perfect modern compromise for formal wear.
- The Enduring Classic: The presence of the Cartier Tank and IWC Portugieser reinforces the timeless appeal of true classic dress watches. These pieces, with their minimalist dials and clean lines, offer a powerful contrast to the more flamboyant choices, appealing to a purist sensibility.
- Independent and Avant-Garde Brands: The appearance of smaller, highly respected brands like H. Moser & Cie and the bold designs of Hublot and Jacob & Co. at events like Cannes and the Met Gala signals a growing appetite for unique, non-mainstream wrist candy.
In conclusion, the red carpet in 2024 was a vibrant battleground for the world's finest watchmakers. The choices made by celebrities were not random; they were calculated style statements that spoke volumes about their personal taste and their relationship with the world of haute horlogerie. As the awards season watches continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: the watch on the wrist is as important a fashion declaration as the designer gown or tuxedo, solidifying its place as the ultimate piece of celebrity timepiece art.
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