I’ve always had a soft spot for watches in movies and TV shows – not because I’m hunting reference numbers, but because a watch brand can tell you who a character is before they say a word.
Most viewers remember the signal: Rolex = power, Omega = capable, G-Shock = built for impact, Patek = money with manners. Once you start noticing those signals, you can’t unsee them.
This isn’t a collector’s guide or a deep technical breakdown. It’s a personal screenshot diary of watch moments that hit me while watching – some obvious, some surprising, and a few that made me hit pause just to look them up. Scroll on to see them in action.
Competence & Professional
These brands show up when a character needs to read as capable, steady, and put-together – without shouting.
Omega in Tracker S01E01 (“Klamath Falls”) – clean, confident, and perfectly aligned with Colter Shaw’s no-nonsense vibe.
Timex in Tracker S01E05 (“St. Louis”) – the “real road, real life” swap that makes the character feel even more believable.
Tissot PRS 516 in Chicago Fire S09E04 (“Funny What Things Remind Us”) – sturdy, sporty, and still sharp enough for an on-the-job leader.
Vacheron Constantin in Tokyo Vice S02E07 (“The War at Home”) – luxury that doesn’t need to announce itself.
Patek Philippe in The Lincoln Lawyer S02E02 (“Obligations”) – a refined flex: expensive, controlled, and quietly confident.
Cartier in Presumed Innocent S01E03 (“Discovery”) – a subtle brand choice that adds quiet tension and class.
Patek Philippe again in The Lincoln Lawyer S01E07 (“Lemming Number Seven”) – consistent “high-end, measured” character signaling.
Patek Philippe in Evil S01E12 (“Justice x 2”) – polished and composed, even when the story isn’t.
Oris in Knox Goes Away (2023) – clean, quiet, and easy to miss (which is exactly why it works).
Omega Seamaster in Harrow S03E08 (“Alea Iacta Est”) – sharp and confident, with a little edge.
Power & Status
These are the “you know what this means” brands – the audience reads them instantly.
Rolex in Mr. & Mrs. Smith S01E08 (“A Breakup”) – a polished edge that feels intentional and seen.
Omega + Rolex in Speak No Evil (2024) – the kind of “too polished” detail that makes a scene feel even creepier.
Rolex in Sex and the City S03E11 (“Running With Scissors”) – pure Mr. Big energy: clean, classic, expensive without trying.
Rolex in Sex and the City 2 (2010) – luxury continuity: the vibe stays rich.
Rolex in The Morning Show S03E09 (“Update Your Priors”) – boardroom-approved wrist confidence.
Patek Philippe in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) – a flash of high-end attitude in an undercover world.
Patek Philippe in Billions S07E02 (“Original Sin”) – “money and control” without a word.
Audemars Piguet in Lift (2024) – a luxury punch that fits the slick energy of the film.
Audemars Piguet in Obliterated S01E06 (“From Vegas with Love”) – bold and flashy, exactly like Vegas.
Richard Mille in Bookie S01E01 (“Always Smell the Money”) – a brand that can’t help but steal focus.
Tactical & Built-for-Impact
When the watch needs to read as gear – durable, mission-ready, not precious.
Luminox in Special Ops: Lioness S01E07 (“Wish the Fight Away”) – rugged black, tactical, and totally at home in the action.
Luminox Navy SEAL in Special Ops: Lioness S01E08 (“Gone is the Illusion of Order”) – looks right at home in the chaos.
Casio G-Shock in Special Ops: Lioness S02E03 (“Along Came a Spider”) – the universal TV shorthand for “this is field gear.”
Casio G-Shock again in Special Ops: Lioness S02E02 (“I Love My Country”) – built for the kind of missions the show lives on.
Casio G-Shock in Land of Bad (2024) – gritty, tough, and perfectly matched to the stakes.
Casio G-Shock in Chicago Fire S09E08 (“Escape Route”) – a commanding, practical pick for Battalion Chief Boden.
Casio G-Shock in Agatha All Along S01E05 (“Darkest Hour, Wake Thy Power”) – the tough-watch signal, dropped into a flashier universe.
Casio G-Shock again in Agatha All Along S01E07 (“Death’s Hand in Mine”) – ready for action even when the genre isn’t “tactical.”
Action, Aviation & “Job Watches”
These show up when the job is dangerous, the pacing is fast, or the character needs “equipment energy.”
Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman in Supercell (2023) – a stormy, intense movie match made in heaven.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer in Slow Horses S03E02 (“Hard Lessons”) – a solid “serious job” watch that fits the tone.
Hamilton X-Wind GMT Chrono in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) – built for high-stakes action (and it looks the part).
Hamilton Khaki Aviation in American Assassin (2017) – a practical, cinematic pilot vibe that fits the role.
Hamilton Jazzmaster in American Assassin (2017) – sleek enough for the pace, understated enough to feel real.
IWC Pilot’s Mark XVI in Red (2010) – “retired spy still in the game” energy, nailed.
Breitling in Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) – rugged enough for McClane’s action-heavy day.
Tag Heuer in Armageddon (1998) – prepped for space and screen time.
Hamilton Khaki Field in The Italian Job (2003) – rugged, classic, and totally aligned with the heist energy.
Panerai Luminor in All American S03E09 (“Testify”) – big coach energy: bold and unmistakable.
Everyday & Underdog Energy
Affordable and believable – these picks make characters feel grounded.
Armitron diver in Jingle All the Way (1996) – pure ’90s screen time classic.
Timex digital in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – authentic hustle energy; nothing feels “styled”, and that’s why it works.
Casio in Snowfall S03E10 (“Other Lives”) – simple, era-appropriate, and quietly perfect.
Skmei in S.W.A.T. S04E12 (“U-Turn”) – dependable, low-key, tough (just like Deacon).
Skmei again in S.W.A.T. S04E02 (“Stakeout”) – the kind of watch choice that keeps the character grounded.
Modern Tech & Lifestyle
Smartwatches and outdoors picks – when the character’s world is “now”, not “timeless.”
Apple Watch in The Perfect Couple S01E01 (2024) – blends into the modern setting like it belongs there.
Apple Watch again in The Perfect Couple S01E02 (2024) – practical, consistent, and very current.
Garmin in Virgin River S05E03 (“Calculated Risk”) – outdoorsy setting, outdoorsy choice; totally natural.
Wildcards & Scene-Stealers
The ones that made me pause – unusual, extra stylish, or just unexpectedly perfect.
Bvlgari in Siberia (2018) – sleek luxury against an icy backdrop is a strong contrast.
Bvlgari in Mission: Impossible (1996) – Jon Voight brings elegance into a world that’s usually all tension.
Bvlgari in Rocky IV (1985) – a graceful counterbalance to all the grit.
Omega De Ville in Enemy of the State (1998) – a polished detail that adds to the mystery.
TAG Heuer in Baywatch (2017) – bright, beach-ready, and exactly right for the sunny, high-energy chaos.
RESERVOIR in Canary Black (2024) – sleek, tactical, and a little unexpected (in a good way).
Movado in Manifest S04E18 (“Lift/Drag”) – sleek and understated, a clean modern look.
Seiko gold-tone solar in Inheritance (2020) – delicate, simple, stylish (and very wearable).
Baume & Mercier women’s watches in The Sopranos (Season 6 Episode 19) – subtle, lived-in, character-real.
That’s the full list for now.
What’s the most memorable watch you’ve ever spotted in a movie or TV show? If you remember the brand, the character, or even just the scene, let me know in the comments.
