If you regularly look at what celebrities are wearing on their wrists, you’ll probably already know that not only is Hollywood’s freshest face, Timothée Chalamet, a Cartier watch ambassador, but that he also makes his watch and jewelry choices for events in surprising and modern ways. Watching his months-long Oscar campaign for Best Actor for his outstanding portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown unfold was like waiting for the Easter Bunny’s eggs: it left us wondering what colors and styles would be next every single time.
His Academy Award outfit unveiled at the 97th Oscars on March 2, 2025 could in no way have been predicted: showing up in a bold monochromatic yellow Givenchy suit (talk about Easter!), his wrists, fingers, and even neck were draped in Cartier jewels – in place of a tie, he wore a yellow gold curb link-chain Cartier Tradition necklace from 1988 over his buttoned-up yellow silk shirt; the diamond showing from underneath the collar was a 3.84-carat brilliant-cut fancy yellow surrounded by 12 sapphires. But it’s his watch that we’re most interested in, a very small neo-vintage Cartier Baignoire Reference 1960 from 1994 in yellow gold with artistically placed triangular-shaped diamonds, square-cut faceted rubies, and pear-shaped faceted sapphires. This watch didn’t scream “look at me” like so many bejeweled watches do; in fact, it fits in neatly stacked with his gold Cartier Love bracelet. Chalamet is undoubtedly a risk-taker when it comes to fashion, and it practically always pays off for him. Wearing this weirdly understated flex of a timepiece that was most certainly originally made for a female wrist was simply breathtaking in an effortlessly cool way.
Chalamet wasn’t the only red-carpet star and Cartier ambassador wearing vintage examples of the brand. In fact, the entire outfit of his A Complete Unknown co-star Elle Fanning seemed to nod to the 1960s timeframe of the film while looking as fresh as a daisy. Like Chalamet, Fanning also opted for Givenchy fashion, with the style matching her decidedly ’60s updo. Her Cartier platinum and white gold necklace set with oodles of diamonds from 1958 matched the Broderie de Cartier ring and Cartier Zelda Fine Jewellery Watch, all from the Cartier archives, with each piece adding a touch more retro style to the complete ensemble.
Fellow Best Actor nominee Sebastian Stan, nominated for portraying Donald Trump in The Apprentice, wore a Cartier Fauna and Flora brooch in yellow gold set with white and yellow diamonds on his lapel and Cartier Love cufflinks. On his wrist, he sported a Santos de Cartier medium model in two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel with diamonds on the bezel that went swimmingly with his entire ensemble.
A Proliferation of OMEGA
Like Chalamet, Kieran Culkin has been a fixture during awards season for his Supporting Actor role in A Real Pain. And OMEGA has been his constant companion: at the Golden Globes he wore an OMEGA Aqua Terra Shades in a 38 mm stainless steel case with a lacquered “Terra Cotta” red dial. At the Oscars, the watch he chose – a 40 mm De Ville Trésor in 18-karat Sedna Gold with a burgundy dial and burgundy leather strap – was not too dissimilar in style or color (in fact, I’m starting to think Culkin really likes red!), but its case was definitely upgraded from steel to OMEGA’s own Sedna Gold, which shines in a deep red hue. It perfectly matched his elegant Zegna tuxedo accessorized with a custom brooch by Fred Leighton featuring the birthstones of his wife and children.
The award was presented to him by 2024’s Supporting Actor winner, Robert Downey Jr., who took home the little gold man last year for his role in the epic Oppenheimer. Downey is a known watch guy and seems to often prefer the work of independent watchmakers – which is what made his choice of wristwear all the more interesting: a Seamaster Aqua Terra in a 38 mm 18-karat Sedna Gold case with a diamond-paved bezel. The exquisite 18-karat Sedna Gold PVD-coated dial features a cool, light-catching wave pattern made by a process called wire bonding, though it doesn’t catch the light nearly as much as the 12 uniquely cut red rubies posing as hour markers. The watch’s Super-LumiNova-filled hands are also made of Sedna Gold.
Colman Domingo, nominated for Best Actor for his role in Sing Sing, is a friend of the brand for OMEGA. And his choice of wearing a Speedmaster Moonwatch chronograph in 18-karat white Canopus Gold set with baguette-cut diamonds around the bezel was exquisite, befitting of the very cool red Valentino tuxedo accessorized with Boucheron jewelry he wore. Like Chalamet, Domingo challenges standard notions of masculinity with his fashion and jewelry choices to make a compelling, nearly exotic, and definitely refreshing modern look.
Guy Pearce, nominated for Supporting Actor for his role alongside Best Actor winner Adrien Brody in The Brutalist, is usually rather low-key on the red carpet, and both his attire and watch choice reflected this part of his personality. Clothed in a traditional tuxedo by Bruno Cucinelli, Pearce wore a 41 mm OMEGA De Ville Prestige in stainless steel on his wrist, a great accessory for a classic tux.
Performing with Audemars Piguet
About halfway through the Academy Awards broadcast, a trio of famous pop singers performed a tribute to James Bond, including British singer-songwriter Raye, who sang Adele’s “Skyfall” from the Bond film of the same name. During the performance, and earlier on the red carpet, Raye was spotted wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini in frosted gold. This 23 mm petite watch powered by a quartz movement came out in 2024, its hand-hammered frosted gold look eminently jewelry-like, making it a great choice for such a prestigious and elegant event.
As Rolex has been the main sponsor of the Oscars since 2017, occasionally the Geneva brand’s famous ambassadors make an appearance. And so it was here: professional tennis player Coco Gauff joined the elegantly dressed audience wearing the same color as Chalamet – yellow – fashioned into an exquisite Miu Miu gown. On her wrist? A Rolex Lady-Datejust, of course.
