With the final season of The Boys looming, it just felt right! Check out these five timepieces worn by Karl Urban, the man behind the brutal Billy Butcher.
One of my favourite TV shows, Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys, is finally coming to an end. After five seasons, a sidequel, and several spinoffs, the iconic series looks to close off with a bombastic finale.
To commemorate this occasion, I’ve elected to put out a Celebrity Watch Spotting double feature for the show’s two leading stars. Funnily enough, it’s a lot closer to home than you think; For a show that’s all about superheroes, gratuitous violence, and Onion-esque satire about Americana, the two ‘big dogs’ of The Boys are both from our next-door-neighbour, New Zealand!
Today, the Kiwi in question is the legendary Karl Urban. Wellington-born Urban had a start similar to The Boys co-lead Antony Starr, where both men would star in minor roles in Xena: Warrior Princess.
About a decade into his acting career, however, Urban would already find himself propelled into Hollywood. This started with 2002’s Ghost Ship, but eventually led into his role as Éomer in Peter Jackson’s legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy.
From there, Urban would find himself in a myriad of popular culture series. He found starring roles in the Riddick, Jason Bourne, Doom, Star Trek, Judge Dredd, and Marvel franchises. This year, he adds another to his list as he plays cocky movie star Johnny Cage in the upcoming Mortal Kombat II.
His contributions to the pop culture zeitgeist made him an apt selection as Billy Butcher in The Boys. Merciless yet deeply conflicted, Urban’s Billy Butcher adds a layer of unpredictability to a show where just about anything – good, bad, and worse – can happen at any time.
So: comparative to the man’s star power and the character’s conviction, how does the watch collection of Karl Urban hold up? That’s what we’re about to find out – hopefully, with less colourful language than what is usually heard from Billy Butcher. In any case, read along to discover five terrific timepieces worn by the Kiwi standout!
Luminox Navy SEAL CARBONOX™
Since this Celebrity Watch Spotting double feature revolves around The Boys, it’s only fitting to begin with two timepieces seen on the show. In 2020, Karl Urban posted the image below on his Instagram. Here, he’s memorising lines while listening intently to feedback from Eric Kripke, creator and showrunner of The Boys. While in costume as Billy Butcher, Urban dons the Luminox Navy SEAL CARBONOX on his wrist.
The Navy SEAL series is a defining line of watches for the American brand Luminox. Introduced in 1992, it was developed in collaboration with the United States Navy SEALs. At the request of Nick North, a procurement officer for the famed group, Luminox designed a rugged, lightweight, and precise watch that allowed for timekeeping in low-light conditions. Using tritium tubes, the watch’s essential elements glow continuously yet inconspicuously, ensuring legibility in the most extreme environments and scenarios.
Given that part of Billy Butcher and his associates’ jobs is being hunted by the most powerful beings on Earth, it makes sense that he would turn to a brand as durable as Luminox. Karl Urban’s reference, measuring 45mm in case diameter, takes things up a notch with CARBONOX™ case construction.
Hypoallergenic, six times lighter than steel, and highly resistant to scratches and shocks, it’s the go-to watch for a man hell-bent on ridding the world of Supes. Whether it would stand up to a Homelander laser beam is another question entirely, but the Navy SEAL CARBONOX™ is also built to handle extreme temperatures. We’ll call that a ‘maybe.’
Reference: XS.3501.BO.F
Australian Retail Pricing: AU$949
Availability: Available now, at Luminox authorised dealers or online at Luminox.com.au
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire
But just because Billy Butcher is a sucker for a practical military watch doesn’t mean he can’t show off a killer timepiece every now and then. This is exactly the case in the opening episode of The Boys Season 4, as we watch fans are treated to a rare close-up of Karl Urban’s wrist. As he comforts Hughie Campbell, played by Jack Quaid, Butcher can be seen wearing a chronograph of some kind.
Now, I recognise the scene is brief and quite dark. Hours of squinting at my TV didn’t do my eyes any good either, but some internet digging suggests it’s an IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire. It makes sense even without speculation; Karl Urban’s character isn’t exactly known for being flashy, beyond his tropical shirts, and Billy Butcher’s tenure in the Special Air Service would make him partial to pragmatic design principles.
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire is both plain and practical, which are hardly bad things for a pilot’s watch. Measuring 41mm in case diameter, it uses a two-piece textile strap that makes it easy to grab and go. The clear white Arabic numerals contrast sharply against the black dial, and the day-date complication alongside the chronograph gives the wearer all the information they need.
Reference: IW387901
Australian Retail Pricing: AU$12,100
Availability: Available now, at IWC boutiques, authorised dealers, or online at IWC.com
Rolex Datejust 41
While Billy Butcher is a sadistic avenger (no pun intended), the man behind the character is far more laid-back and fun-loving. Outside of The Boys set pieces, Karl Urban mostly enjoys his life, both overseas and back home in New Zealand. Here, he appears to be attempting to start a fire inside a restaurant — for reasons that elude me — while wearing his personal Rolex Datejust.
For an accomplished actor, it’s a surprisingly demure pick. Most celebrities of a similar calibre tend to opt for statement pieces, yet Urban’s Datejust is one of the simplest Rolex models you can get. Coming in a 41mm case size, complete with a smooth bezel and three-link Oyster bracelet, this reference is also surprisingly in line with Billy Butcher’s tastes — if he were willing to wait forever and a day for one. Rest assured, though: When that wait is over, it’s deadly accurate while on the wrist. Thanks to Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer Certification, Urban’s Datejust is bound to remain a lifelong companion, and with it he’s guaranteed to never run late to a casting call.
Reference: M126300-0011
Australian Retail Pricing: AU$14,900
Availability: By inquiry only at Rolex authorised dealers. See Rolex.com for more information.
TAG Heuer Monaco Steve McQueen
All the way back in 2018, Karl Urban’s watch taste was already reflective of both his lifestyle and the kinds of characters he plays. Though he’s an accomplished character actor, a common thread across his roles is that they tend to be a little rough around the edges. Billy Butcher, Éomer, and Johnny Cage are all roles that Urban inhabits with ease, leveraging his rugged, rebellious charm.
And what better watch to wear than that of cinema’s original rebel? Taking a page out of the Steve McQueen playbook (not pictured here), Urban’s watch of choice is the TAG Heuer Monaco. Sporting the same colour configuration as the original worn by McQueen, this version of the Monaco is purpose-built for horological rebellion. Its imposing square construction emboldens the wearer, while the crown is positioned on the left side of the watch rather than the right.
An avid car collector, it stands to reason that Urban’s choice may also be influenced by TAG Heuer’s omnipresence in the world of motorsport. Combining the Monaco’s silver screen pedigree with the brand’s deep automotive heritage, it’s a fitting choice for a ‘diamond in the rough’ such as Karl Urban.
Reference: CAW11P.FC6356
Australian Retail Pricing: AU$12,800
Availability: Available now, at TAG Heuer boutiques and authorised dealers. See TAGHeuer.com for more information.
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’
Finally, what top-tier collection is truly complete without one of the most sought-after watches of all time? Pictured here adopting his dog Max, Karl Urban’s celebratory timepiece is none other than the Rolex GMT-Master II. At a universally wearable 40mm case size, complemented by the five-link Jubilee bracelet, this piece delivers one of the biggest horological and cultural punches available.
Lovingly nicknamed the ‘Pepsi’, this version of the GMT-Master II is among the hardest to get on the Rolex roster, alongside the Rolex Daytona and other special pieces. Funnily enough, the nickname is somewhat inaccurate; unlike the Pepsi logo, which is red on top and blue on the bottom, the Rolex ‘Pepsi’ flips the colours, with blue on top and red on the bottom. Rendered in coloured ceramic, it’s not much of an issue, as the bezel is bidirectional and can be inverted easily.
I don’t speak from experience, though, as rumours have been circulating that Rolex may have discontinued the fabled watch. While there’s no concrete evidence to confirm this, perhaps Urban should hold onto it if he’s ever considered moving it along…
Reference: M126710BLRO-0001
Australian Retail Pricing: AU$20,100
Availability: By inquiry only at Rolex authorised dealers. See Rolex.com for more information.
Watch Advice Suggests:
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium®
Oh, you thought it was over? Maybe for a traditional Celebrity Watch Spotting article, but allow me to try something a bit new. You see, we go into plenty of detail about the watch collections of celebrities like Karl Urban, yet we at Watch Advice have yet to, well, advise the celebrity on what they should get next. So, with that in mind — and for you, Mr Urban, should you be reading this — allow us to offer some Watch Advice!
Looking over the five watches we’ve spotted on his wrist, Urban’s collection leans towards the practical, tactical, and masculine. Of course, there are hints of flair, particularly with the Rolex GMT-Master II and the TAG Heuer Monaco, but much of his collection remains understated. As a suggestion to Mr Urban, I’d recommend looking into the all-black IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium.
Released relatively recently and limited to 1,500 pieces, the Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium seems like a perfect fit for both the actor and the roles he plays. As the name suggests, IWC Schaffhausen presents the Portugieser in its proprietary Ceratanium case material. Merging the properties of titanium with ceramic, the watch is as shock-resistant as it is strikingly lightweight.
Combined with the all-black dial, numerals, hands, and chronograph registers, the Portugieser becomes an elegant yet stealthy accompaniment, perfect for Urban in any situation. Whether he’s beating down Supes with a crowbar as Billy Butcher or landing nut shots as Johnny Cage, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium would be an ideal pick for Karl Urban, whose heart of gold still has a bit of darkness to spare. If he wants one, though, he’d better be quick: Ed Sheeran’s scooped one up, and the remaining 1,499 are sure to scramble soon enough!