To celebrate International Star Wars Day, we take a look at some of the watches iconic Star Wars actors have worn over the years. May the Fourth be with you!
Before I became a watch nerd, I was a regular nerd. I loved all sorts of nerdy things – video games, comic books, and especially movies. While I’m too young to comment on the spectacle of the original Star Wars trilogy’s premiere, it would be remiss to say that the Star Wars universe didn’t profoundly impact my life.
Lightsaber duels with my friends, incessantly quoting iconic lines, and burning CDs with (allegedly) pirated Star Wars movies made up the bulk of my childhood and teenage years. At one point, a friend and I memorised the entirety of Revenge of the Sith’s final fight, down to the vocal intonation. I was seventeen. A bit sad, I know, but it made for an entertaining party trick.
Still, when I remembered that May 4 was coming up, I jumped at the chance to merge my two obsessions into one. In this case, I’ve decided to look at two actors from each Star Wars era and the watches they have chosen to wear. Join me as I dive into the best wristwatches worn by the heroes, villains, and scoundrels of a galaxy far, far away!
The Original Trilogy
Two actors from the Original Trilogy are starting the list where it all began – Episodes IV, V, and VI. If you’re unfamiliar with the Star Wars universe, I’m sure you’re also very confused that the fourth, fifth, and sixth movies were all made before the first, second, and third. Just go with it, it’ll make sense later.
In any case, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) are legendary figures beyond their work in Star Wars, so I’m sure you would have familiarised yourself with their immense screen presence at some stage in your life.
Mark Hamill: IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar
As pictured above in fellow House of Usher star Rahul Kohli’s Instagram, Mark Hamill’s timepiece of choice is the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar, ref. IW503401. Made in 2015, this 18kt white gold piece features the Cal. 52615 automatic movement providing a mind-boggling 168-hour (1 week) power reserve, alongside day, date, month, year, and moon phase complications on top of small seconds and power reserve indicator sub dials! The upgraded version of this perpetual calendar movement, the Cal. 52616, was also featured in IWC’s new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar timepieces, which you can learn more about here.
Price: Approx. AUD$67,600 – IWC.com
Harrison Ford: Breitling Aerospace Evo
Harrison Ford, who played the roguish pilot of the Millennium Falcon, takes a more occupation-oriented approach to his collection. You see, Ford not only played the pilot of a spaceship but also privately pilots in his spare time! So it would make sense for the Hollywood icon to wear a watch as suited to the job as he is: the Breitling Aerospace Evo. With a storied and epic history about all things aviation, this ana-digi titanium watch may not be the most refined haute horlogerie piece out there, but it’s designed to get the job done quickly and accurately. It’s like comparing the effectiveness of a finely crafted sword to a gun – something that Ford knows about all too well.
Price: AUD$5,990 – Breitling.com
The Prequel Trilogy
This is where the fun begins! As globally panned as the prequel trilogy was upon release, it has undoubtedly become a classic in its own right, cementing its legacy as part of the Star Wars universe. What’s crazier still is how they managed to get these two amazing actors on board! Not to say that Star Wars is career suicide, mind you, but both Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala) and Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) were already established as heavy hitters on the silver screen. To risk that reputation on a sci-fi movie is nothing short of admirable – although, if you know McGregor’s family history, perhaps it was fate. Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles) is his uncle!
Ewan McGregor: Rolex Submariner 14060M
Ewan McGregor has been spotted with a considerable watch collection including Bremonts and IWCs. However, recently he has been seen wearing one of his Rolex Submariners – the no-date, ref. 14060M, in appearances at the Anaheim 2022 Star Wars Celebration as well as on The Tonight Show (below)
The Rolex Submariner, though somewhat basic, is a legend for a reason, so I don’t fault him for wanting to own a few himself.
Price: Approx. AUD$15,000 (Ch24 pricing)
Natalie Portman: Richard Mille RM 007
Natalie Portman, on the other hand, is a massive proponent of Richard Mille. She has been spotted on numerous occasions wearing an assortment of RM wristwatches, including the Roman numerals RM 033 and RM 19-01. Her most common association, however, is with the RM 007. Initially created in 2005, the Queen/Senator of Naboo has been spotted giving the high-tech, diamond-clad titanium timepiece a lot of wrist time, and for good reason! Aside from being the first female Richard Mille model, RM 007 also introduced the movement calibre of the same name, utilising 18k gold micro-balls in a patented rotor system for its automatic movement.
Price: Approx. AUD$130,000 – AU$160,000 – RichardMille.com
The Sequel Trilogy
If you’re a true Star Wars fan, you would know that supporting the actors, crew, and everyone else involved with the making of the films is incredibly important. They’re just movies, after all! That being said though, there’s no denying that the sequel trilogy fell over its face.
Regardless, both Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) gave their all to make their characters great, even amid production bureaucracy. They were so talented that, despite these career hiccups, they’re both still going as strong as ever. I suppose their talent must have also come over into their taste in watches! Both Isaacs and Driver wear some non-traditional timepieces that may catch you a little by surprise.
Oscar Isaacs: Bulgari Octo Finissimo
On the premiere of Marvel’s Moon Knight series, Isaacs wore an 18k rose gold Bulgari Octo Finissimo. So not only does he get to play my favourite Marvel superhero, but he also wears what is, in my opinion, the best wristwatch from a brand not traditionally focused on watches. An astonishing 5.15mm thin with a gorgeously brutal design, this timepiece is powered by the Cal. BVL 138, which still manages to pack a micro-rotor for automatic winding!
Price: AUD$76,900 – Bulgari.com
Adam Driver: Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44
Adam Driver’s no slouch, either – as one of Breitling’s chief brand ambassadors, it’s his job to champion the elite watchmaking of the independent brand. He does so with a model that most people don’t often consider in the lineup. That doesn’t make the Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44 any less special, though! The one he wears in the above Instagram post packs the B01 Chronometer-certified chronograph movement as well as a second watch face in the Rouleaux bracelet, displaying UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). It’s a practical compilation that doesn’t get in the way of pulling off the stylish Breitling look and is one to consider if you want to look like the leader of the Knights of Ren.
Price: AUD$16,390 – Breitling.com
The Mandalorian
Finishing off the list is, in my opinion, the best thing to happen to the Star Wars universe since The Clone Wars. Even my dad, who abhors anything Star Wars-related, binge-watched two seasons’ worth of The Mandalorian in a matter of weeks. It was likely due to the neo-western vibes that other entries in the universe lacked, bolstered only by actors who almost felt destined to play their respective roles: Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and the late icon Carl Weathers (Greef Karga).
Pedro Pascal: Santos de Cartier
Pedro Pascal, who has garnered a reputation as the Internet’s Father of the Year, also has a considerably strong collection. However, the Santos de Cartier is likely the only watch that is as versatile and as good-looking as the actor himself. Initially created for Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1907, the aesthetic of the timepiece has hardly changed. The classic white dial, Roman numerals, exposed screws and square silhouette all make for a timeless design that’s ready to take on any role it plays.
Price: AUD$12,600 – Cartier.com.au
Carl Weathers: Hamilton Ventura
While his role in The Mandalorian was not as major as Pascal’s, Carl Weathers’ presence was felt through his contributions to the series, directing episodes and assisting his fellow actors in turn. Like Hamill and Ford, Carl Weathers’ legacy lives on forever, not just in Star Wars but in other iconic films, such as the immortal Rocky series or sci-fi horror and action icon Predator. He was also a staunch advocate for an unusual watch in the Hamilton Ventura, a triangular, battery-powered electric watch that he can be seen wearing above in 1986. Though the piece is rather bizarre-looking, don’t let appearances fool you: the Ventura was a needle mover in its own right, predating any quartz watch by about 12 years, and has been a darling of the silver screen for its lifetime from Elvis Presley to Men in Black.
Price: AUD$1,500 – Hamilton.com
So there you have some iconic watches on iconic Star Wars star’s wrists. May the Fourth be with you!
