Spotted: IWC Watches In Your Favourite Movies

08 Feb, 2024

Spotted: IWC Watches In Your Favourite Movies

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A Collector’s Delight — Arnold & Son Time Pyramid

In cinema, every detail contributes to the creation of a character and the immersive storytelling experience. From the costumes they wear to the accessories, filmmakers meticulously choose elements that enhance the narrative and define the characters’ personalities. One such accessory that often takes centre stage in iconic scenes is the wristwatch. And one brand that has unfailingly made itself synonymous with excellent cinema is IWC. So, here are seven exquisite IWC watches that have made their mark in some of the most excellent productions in the history of Hollywood, from action thrillers to spy movies and even light-hearted comedies.

IWC Spitfire Chronograph in Mr & Mrs Smith

In the adrenaline-charged world of Mr & Mrs Smith, where action takes centre stage, Brad Pitt’s wrist is adorned with the IWC Spitfire Chronograph 3706. Encased in resilient stainless steel, this 39mm watch strikes a balance between rugged durability and timeless elegance, ensuring that as Pitt’s Mr Smith navigates the intricate plot twists, the watch remains a steadfast partner.

Fueled by the legendary Valjoux 7750 movement, this IWC timepiece embodies precision—a quality essential for Pitt’s action-packed role. The matte black dial, punctuated by Arabic numerals and lume-filled markers, ensures quick and clear reading, even in the heat of cinematic combat. The squared-off hour hand, a distinctive feature of the Spitfire Chronograph, adds a touch of vintage charm, harking back to a different era of IWC pilot’s watches.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XV in Shrinking

In a shift from the action franchises on this list, the Harrison Ford-starrer Shrinking is one of the recent cinematic pieces to feature an IWC watch. The award-winning series is a take on a modern-day therapist who decides to be more involved in counselling his patients. Jason Segel was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award, and the series was awarded “Best Comedy” at the Venice TV Awards in 2023.

Harrison Ford captured our attention with his IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XV reference 3253, a variation of the classic that first took flight in 1999. Proving that IWC-quality watches are not exclusive to action movies, the watch exudes elegance in its simplicity, featuring a 38mm case, a black dial adorned with Arabic numerals, and a white date indicator for practicality. While it may seem a little out of place in the scenic city of Pasadena, the watch seamlessly complimented Harrison throughout the series as he attempted one of his most hilarious roles to date.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN in The Bourne Legacy

In the heart-pounding narrative of The Bourne Legacy, where every second counts, Jeremy Renner’s character Aaron Cross relies on the formidable IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN IW379901 to match the intensity of the on-screen action. Powered by the 79230-calibre chronograph movement, this IWC Pilot’s Watch flaunts a 46mm black high-tech ceramic case and a plethora of features, including a running seconds hand for intermediate timing, day and date display, and a stopwatch function with minutes and seconds. The flyback chronograph mechanism enhances functionality, allowing for seamless measurement of elapsed time in fast-paced scenarios. On top of it, the all-black look, complemented by a black fabric strap, adds a touch of stealth to Renner’s appearance. It also aligns perfectly with the technical and action-packed nature of his role.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Le Petit Prince” in Johnny English Strikes Again

Rowan Atkinson brings a touch of sophistication to his character in Johnny English Strikes Again with the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Le Petit Prince” IW327016. This special edition timepiece, dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince, is a testament to IWC’s artistry. It boasts a 40mm case and a blue dial adorned with white Arabic numerals, featuring a date window at three o’clock. The automatic 35111-calibre that powers the watch promises a 42-hour power reserve, ensuring it keeps pace with the comedic timing of Atkinson’s character.

Jason Statham’s La Cumbre Volcano and “50 Years Aquatimer” in The Meg

IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre Volcano IW3795-05

Any cinema and horlogerie enthusiast would have known that The Meg would be on this list—after all, it has Jason Statham sporting not one but two IWC watches. In the underwater thrill ride of The Meg, the first IWC piece gracing Jason Statham’s wrist is the formidable IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre Volcano IW3795-05. This limited edition diver’s watch pays homage to the forces of nature responsible for the eruption of the La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina Island in 2009.

Inspired by the blackness of hardened volcanic rock, the watch comes encased in a steel case covered with rubber. It boasts a dark grey dial with two sub-dials and a date window at the three. The outer and inner bezels move counterclockwise and are equipped with SafeDive technology for worry-free diving. This timepiece, limited to 500 pieces, features a flyback chronograph function.

IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer” IW379403

The second timepiece we spotted was the IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer” IW379403. With a ceratanium case, this self-winding automatic watch features a black dial and is secured by a black rubber strap with a ceratanium tang buckle, making a bold and resounding statement. Measuring 49mm in diameter and 19.4mm in height, the watch has an imposing presence on the wrist.

Limited to just 50 pieces, this timepiece is a rare blend of technical prowess and aesthetic finesse with the flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar, small hacking seconds, and an external/internal rotating bezel with the SafeDive system.

IWC Pilot’s Watches in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun Maverick

Before Mission Impossible, Top Gun was the series that introduced the world to the high-octane action performance that Tom Cruise was capable of. While the original movie graced the silver screens in 1986, 2022 brought that magic again to the silver screen and how. The second movie in the franchise, Top Gun: Maverick, earned an astonishing 183 nominations and won 65. But throughout the 130-minute runtime, our eyes were fixated on something else – the numerous IWC watches.

This association is not something forged only for the movie – the long-standing partnership between IWC and TOP GUN, the US Navy’s Fighter Weapons School that inspired the name of the movie franchise, adds an authentic touch to the film. Also, the watches worn by the pilots in the movie are indeed the very watches that graduates of the TOP GUN institutes are given – watches that are not available for sale otherwise.

The IWC Pilot’s Watches SFTI models, exclusively reserved for instructors and students, feature in the movie. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor’ (ref. IW389004) stands out with the iconic patch of the Navy Fighter Weapons School. Boasting exclusivity along the same lines is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII TOP GUN Edition (ref. IW324705), featuring a caseback made from automotive titanium 5N. These watches found their way to the wrists of the star-studded cast of the movie, including Miles Teller, Monica Barbaro, and Glen Powell, who also learned to fly fighter jets for the movie to make the action scenes seem as legitimate as possible.

Vintage IWC ref. 436 Pilot’s Watch in Devotion

Not only did Glen Powell grace the skies with an IWC watch in Top Gun: Maverick, but in Devotion, he adds another chapter to his wrist’s IWC legacy with the Vintage IWC ref. 436 Pilot’s Watch. This timepiece, first manufactured in 1936 and famously known as the ‘Mark IX,’ pays homage to IWC’s rich history in aviator’s watches.

The watch captures the quintessential pilot look with its round case, black dial, and oversized Arabic numerals. The small seconds sub-dial, featuring a heart or ‘spades’ shaped hand, adds a unique charm. The watch’s durability and practicality stem from its shatterproof crystal, high-contrast hands and numerals, and antimagnetic escapement—a testament to its resilience in various conditions, ranging from –40 degrees Celsius to +40 degrees Celsius. Lastly, the rotating bezel, equipped with an index for measuring short periods of elapsed time, serves as a functional yet stylish element.