Top 30 Most Popular Celebrity Rolex (and other) watches of all time as of 2024

January 10, 2021

Sleek, elegant, and sophisticated, the Rolex watches are synonymous with luxury and expense, and a popular choice for a myriad of celebrities. On film and television, Rolex has been popularised to convey the great wealth and suavity of the characters who wear it. The timepiece has become a part of modern culture.

Because of its desirability and connections with prosperity and success, the most expensive Rolex watches will forever be linked to a celebrity. The world’s biggest names have sported the watch worn a Rolex, helping the Swiss giants become the most popular branded watches in the world.

Today we will be speaking about the most popular celebrity Rolex watches worn in famous movies, up to the time of this writing (2024), but also about a variety of other popular watches worn in blockbuster movies.

We will start by introducing ten celebs who wear Rolexs and the top 11 most popular celebrity Rolex watches, followed by the top 10 most popular watches ever worn on screen by celebrities in movies, as of 2024.

 

TOP 10 CELEBRITIES WHO WEAR ROLEX WATCHES

 

Before we get into our list of iconic watches that have shined on the silver screen over the years, we should look at some of the notable Rolex celebrity watches. The brand, a byword for luxury and glamour since the 1950s, has become inextricably linked to Hollywood stars, many of whom have watch collections to rival the most ostentatious Saudi princes. 

If you keep up on show business news, you’ll see countless pictures of male and female celebrities wearing Rolex watches. 

Of course, it’s not just Hollywood actors who love Rolex watches. Our list of celebrities also includes a couple of athletes and a TV chef who likes to wear the most famous branded watches on his wrist.

 

So, let’s take a look at the top 10 celebrities that own Rolex watches.

 

1. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a lot of things: an athlete, a wrestler, an actor, and an all-around nice guy. He’s also a huge watch collector. While he seems to prefer Audemars Piguet — he’s been spotted wearing a limited edition of The Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26331BC.GG.1224BC.01 — he’s got a few Rolex watches in his collection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGT1XYsE5yM

The Rock has been seen around town in a Rolex Yacht-Master Ref. 16628 with a gorgeous champagne dial. A prestigious 2000s-produced timepiece like this can go on the secondary market for around $30,000.

Another modern celeb watch that Johnson has worn in the past is the two-tone Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer.” While two-tone won’t be to everybody’s taste, this steel and ever-rose gold combo is first class. Tough times in the secondary market mean you can pick this watch up for around $20,000 these days.

 

2. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is another Hollywood A-lister with a penchant for a nice watch. He has a mammoth collection of the most famous branded watches, including Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Breitling, and Patek Phillipe.

Some of the best Brad Pitt wrist watches are Rolexs. Indeed, in Ocean’s Thirteen, one of the follow-ups to the classic heist movie Ocean’s Eleven, Brad Pitt’s character, Rusty Ryan, is seen wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II 116718. 

What’s interesting about that fact is that the GMT-Master was from his own personal collection. With prices going up to $75,000 for these beautiful watches, pulling off an elaborate heist is the only way most of us will ever get our hands on one. 

The Rolex Daytona Zenith 16520 is another one of the most eye-catching Brad Pitt wrist watches on record. Available on the market for around $40,000, Pitt’s version has a stunning white dial, which is befitting of a man of great taste.

 

3. Charlize Theron

While Rolex watches were once considered the timepiece for the adventuring man, the brand has modernized in recent years. Now, it’s common to see the most fashionable female celebrities wearing Rolex watches in Hollywood and beyond.

These days, Charlize Theron has a strong association with Breitling. In 2022, she starred in Breitling’s new Chronomat campaign. However, she wasn’t always a fan of that particular Swiss luxury watchmaker.

In fact, in 2010, Theron was pictured at an L.A. Lakers game wearing a man’s Rolex watch. Despite the availability of slighter watches, the 2000s saw a trend of women wearing bulkier timepieces, so the only surprise about the actress wearing the 44mm-wide Rolex Seadweller Deepsea was how cool it looked.

Widely considered as Rolex’s premier diving watch, you could pick one up on the secondary market for around $15,000. After that, all you need to do is find courtside Lakers tickets. Good luck!

 

4. Mark Wahlberg

Hollywood all-star Mark Wahlberg has an enviable watch collection with some of the most popular branded watches. His collection consists of over 20 watches, which experts say are worth more than $10 million. 

Typically, you’ll see Wahlberg wearing either a Patek Phillip or a Rolex. So, what are the best Mark Wahlberg wrist watches lurking in his collection?

There are three main Mark Wahlberg wrist watches that we love. The first is the 2016 ​​Rolex Daytona Ceramic ref. 116500 with the black dial. Wahlberg was pictured wearing it on the cover of Men’s Health magazine shortly after the watch was released. 

However, Wahlberg also owns a Rolex Submariner ref. 116618. This watch is the holy grail for many collectors thanks to its big, solid 18kt gold frame. Wahlberg chose the model with the black dial, which gives the watch a super elegant touch.

Finally, as if that wasn’t enough, the Ted actor also has the chunky 44mm Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116688. It’s a spectacular piece with 18kt gold and an unforgettable bright blue Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Pieces like this are why Rolex retains its place among the most popular branded watches.

 

5. Gordon Ramsey

Gordan Ramsey, TV chef and world-class restauranteur, is the proud owner of seven Michelin stars. He’s also the proud owner of some of the most famous branded watches on the market. 

Before we share his classic Rolex watches, there is a famous Gordon Ramsey yellow watch that you may have seen on his shows. However, it’s the Breitling Chrono Avenger M1 E73360, a beautiful watch in its own right, but not a Rolex.

However, there is another Gordan Ramsey yellow watch you may have noticed on the celebrity chef’s wrist. That one is the Rolex 16808 Submariner Yellow Gold: The Legendary “Nipple” Dial. This timepiece is so beloved that it can fetch over $70,000 on the secondary market. Ramsey also wears a vintage 1608 Submariner from time to time.

Other amazing Rolex watches that Ramsey owns include the Rolex Submariner ‘Smurf’ 116619LB, the Yacht-Master 116655 in Rose Gold, and the rare Rolex Explorer II “Cream.” All classics that any collector would swoon over.

 

6. Jennifer Anniston

Jennifer Anniston was married to Brad Pitt for many years. However, her love of Rolex watches predates their time together. Indeed, she once said that her first vintage Rolex “cost me the best part of my savings. I was terrified of losing it, but never regretted buying it.”

The Friends star has sported many iconic watches over the years. She’s regularly among the most famous female celebrities wearing Rolex watches while out on the town. Some of the watches she’s been seen with include the Gold men’s Rolex Presidential Day-Date 118238 and the Datejust 36 Salmon 16220.

However, our favorite watch from her amazing collection is her custom PVD-coated ​​40mm Rolex Milgauss in stainless steel. This black and orange gem is strikingly classy and shows how customized builds can sometimes improve the aesthetic.

Of course, Anniston’s superb collection is not just limited to Rolex watches. She also has an amazing Cartier Tank and an Omega Speedmaster, to name but a few.

 

7. Tom Brady

Tom Brady is widely considered the best quarterback to play in the NFL. At his peak, he had one of the most valuable and accurate arms in the world. So, it’s only right that his appendage is adorned with the most famous branded watches. 

Brady’s watch collection is so good that is been called “outrageous” by GQ magazine. And rightly so. It features some of the most interesting and rarest timepieces the Swiss artisans have ever produced. 

The seven-time Super Bowl winner is now retired. But instead of wowing fans with his long throws and game intelligence, he’s blowing their minds with his watch collection. Just last year, he was seen with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6241 “John Player Special”, which is easily one of the rarest and most expensive watches in the world. For context, one was sold at auction for around $2.5 million in May 2023.

If you’re already feeling pang of jealousy, it’s about to get worse. Brady has also been seen wearing a Rolex Day-Date 40 – 228206 Platinum Arabic Dial and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Celebration Dial’. He’s also worn the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36, which is one of the snazziest Rolex watches around because of its fun, colorful dial that features a jigsaw.

 

8. Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling has got it all: money, power, fame, good looks, and a watch collection that would make a king blush. The Canadian-born Barbie star and style icon is now a Tag Heuer ambassador. 

His collaboration with Tag Heuer hasn’t led to the production of dedicated Ryan Gosling watches. For now, he’s collaborated with the brand to make a short called The Chase for Carrera, directed by David Leitch of John Wick fame. 

Of course, these aren’t the only luxury watches that Gosling has been seen wearing. So, what are the best Ryan Gosling watches in his collection? Well, aside from the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196G he wore in Drive and the  Omega Y6277 he donned in La La Land, Gosling has some fantastic Rolex watches.

One of the best watches in his collection is the Rolex Air King reference 5500. He’s also been seen with a Rolex Submariner ref. 16610 and a 1940s Rolex Datejust. 

 

9. David Beckham

David Beckham has been a fashion iconic since the mid-90s. The ex-England international footballer had a decorated career at the top of the game, thanks to his dedication to his craft. He brings that same uncompromising attitude to his watch collection, which consists of some of the most popular branded watches that money can buy.

The David Beckham Tudor partnership has seen the Manchester United legend wear the sharp Black Bay Chrono in recent years. While it’s not as well known as a Rolex, the David Beckham Tudor Black Bay 58 Ref. m79018v-0001 will cost you $18,000.

In the late 90s, the yellow-gold Rolex Yachtmaster became a classic David Beckham wrist watch. In later years, he was spotted with a root-beer GMT Master II, a vintage vintage Submariner, and Datejust.

However, if there are two ultimate David Beckham wrist watches from the Rolex brand, they have to be the 18kt rose gold Sky-Dweller and the Rolex Day-Date 40 in Everose gold with an olive dial.

 

10. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood. The Terminator actor has an enviable watch collection that includes the $600,000 Jacob and Co. Napoleon Quadra Tourbillon and a Panerai Radiomir PAM00341 Special Edition “Egiziano.”

He even has a limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore named after him called the  “Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy.” However, in January 2024, Arnie was stopped by Austrian customs over an undeclared Audemars Piguet that he planned to sell at a charity auction.

However, aside from the special Audemars Piguet and Arnold Schwarzenegger watch, the one-time professional bodybuilder has a strong association with Rolex. 

Perhaps the most iconic 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger watch is his Rolex GMT-Master 16758, which he was pictured with just after he shot to fame in “Conan the Barbarian.” Aside from the beauty, he also owns a rare 18kt gold “Concorde” GMT-Master 1675. 

Notable exceptions

While the Rolex brand is associated with some of the world’s most famous names, there are some notable exceptions.

George Clooney, one of Hollywood’s suavest leading men, seems like a perfect fit for a Rolex watch. However, as a brand ambassador for Omega, he sticks faithfully to celebrity watches made by Rolex’s perennial Swiss rival.

Bear Grylls, the famous TV survivalist and outdoorsman, knows what it’s like to survive in the elements. Indeed, any Bear Grylls watch needs to be able to weather the storm of hardy use. So, as well as collecting damp wood for a fire under the stars, you would think he would be a Rolex man. 

However, while he did wear a 1984 Rolex Submariner ref. 16800 for a magazine shoot, he has his own range of watches made with Luminox. A Bear Grylls watch will come in at well under $1,000, and they’re a good choice for survivalists.

Bill Gates is the richest man in the world. He could probably buy the Rolex company if it were for sale. In 2023, he was spotted wearing a $50 Casio Duro Analog. 

Top 11 most popular, recognizable

celebrity Rolex watches worn in movies:

 

 

1. Paul Newman’s Daytona

 

On October 26 2017, one of the popular Rolexes belonging to the late, great Hollywood celebrity and actor was sold at auction.

The winning bid came in at $17.75 million, making this Rolex wristwatch the most expensive ever sold.

Ironically when the original Daytona models were released they were the most undesirable, less popular Rolex watches on the market. It took 20 years for Rolex Daytona watches to become popular, thanks to a small group of savvy vintage collectors and celebrities.

Paul Newman was gifted a Daytona by his wife in 1969. The man and watch soon became inseparable and there are a plethora of photographs of the two complementing each other. The Hollywood legend and celebrity famously wore his iconic Rolex Daytona every day from 1972 until his death in 2008.

That’s some excellent value for money. Paul Newman’s association with the watch was so successful that it encouraged Rolex to produce a second series so that they could meet the demand.

With the Daytona, Newman is forever remembered as a style icon. The air of cool the watch gave Newman clearly influenced the massive rise in popularity, and the value that this Rolex model received after his passing.

 

 

 

2. 007’s Submariner

 

Named for its ability to stay waterproof for up to 330 feet, Rolex Submariner’s durability raised in popularity when being worn by celebrity spy James Bond himself.

Bond wears Rolexes in Ian Fleming’s spy novels, but it wasn’t until 1962’s Dr No that we got to see it on the big screen. Celebrity actor Sean Connery straps on a black and silver Rolex Submariner watch while hunting down the eponymous villain.

The Rolex Submariner watch is continued to be made popular when worn by Connery’s Bond in From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball.

When it came time for a new 007, ill-fated George Lazenby stepped up to the plate wearing an elegant all-silver Submariner.

Another popular celebrity playing Bond, Roger Moore, wore a 5513 model Rolex  watch in 1973’s Live and Let Die. In the film “Q” modified the timepiece by turning it into a handy buzzsaw useful in escape attempts.

The Rolex Submariner was the perfect style choice for Bond and is still popular and sought after by collectors and celebrities alike. It remains perhaps cinema’s most iconic timepiece.

 

 

3. Tom Cruise’s Day-Date

 

The hugely popular actor sports an all-gold Rolex Day-Date in the 1988 road movie Rain Man.

In the film, Cruise plays the long-suffering wheeler-dealer brother of autistic Dustin Hoffman. Cruise is forced to travel across the country with Hoffman and the contrast between the two can be seen clearly in the way they dress.

The filmmakers use this extravagant and hugely popular Rolex model to convey Cruise’s character’s success as a Lamborghini car salesman.

 

 

4. Dustin Hoffman’s GMT-Master

 

Onto another Rain Man star now.

For several decades, veteran actor and celebrity Dustin Hoffman wore his red and blue Rolex wristwatch both in front of the camera and in public.

He was wearing it when he won his Oscar for Best Actor.

The Rolex was gifted to him by none other than the company’s own executive during the latter half of the 60’s. He clearly treasured it. Just like celebrity actor Paul Newman, both man and the Rolex watch became inseparable.

Next time you’re watching Straw Dogs or Marathon Man look out for it.

 

 

 

5. James Cameron’s Submariner

 

One of the greatest filmmakers of all time, James Cameron’s works include Titanic, Avatar, Terminator and Aliens.

He wore the watch for 20 years throughout his film career. It was with him on 33 dives to the real Titanic.

He eventually gifted his popular Rolex Submariner to the chief of an Amazonian tribe because it was the most valuable object in his possession. He missed it greatly and soon bought a replacement Submariner.

As Cameron says: “It’s the one constant companion. People come and go — the watch is always there.”

 

 

 

6. Michael Caine’s Datejust

 

Michael Caine is the classic British actor in one of the all-time great gangster flicks.

However, in this Cockney – Geordie revenge-flick he wears a Swiss watch. The Rolex Datejust is probably the most popular of all the celebrity Rolex watches.

In Get Carter, Caine plays a violent London gangster out for vengeance when his brother is killed. The film is one of Michael Cane’s most memorable roles.

Featuring all the classic design features that made this Rolex watch so iconic, it’s no surprise that Jack Carter wears it.

Throughout his bloody quest for revenge, Jack Carter wears the stylish and popular Rolex Datejust with a gold face and brown strap. It features prominently in the iconic poster of Caine pointing a shotgun toward the viewer. It is one of the ultimate modern images of power.

 

 

 

7. Surprisingly, American Psycho (2000) made Rolex Datejust

even more popular than before!

 

Cool film face – certain labels didn’t want to be associated with the film. For instance, Cerrutti said the film’s main character Patrick Bateman could wear their suits but not while he was killing anyone.

The line ‘Hey! Don’t touch the Rolex’ had to be dropped for similar reasons.

 

 

8. Marlon Brando’s deranged officer wears the popular GMT-Master Rolex in the hot jungle in Apocalypse Now.

 

 

9. Dennis Hopper uses one to time his ticking bombs in Speed.

 

 

10. Danny Devito tries to bribe an alien with his Rolex before being zapped by a laser.

 

 

11. David Oyelowo sports a golden Datejust as Martin Luther King, Jr in Selma.

 

image credit: https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2017/02/rolex-celebrating-cinema-89-academy.html

 

Let us now turn our attention to the top 10 most popular watches worn by celebrities in movies, beyond Rolex

1. Batman Begins (2005)

Watch worn: Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931

Celebrity director Christopher Nolan, the mastermind behind the Dark Knight Rises sought out specialist watchmakers Jaeger-LeCoultre as the designers of Bruce Wayne’s popular timepiece.

The Swiss watchmakers made a special edition of the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931, complete with a Batman symbol. The most significant feature about this Jaeger-LeCoultre is that it has two sides – its steel back can be flipped to protect the face of the watch.

2. Collateral (2004)

Watch worn: IWC Vintage Ingeniuer Automatic IW3233

Tom Cruise’s silver haired hitman is Hollywood’s vision of a slick mercenary.

He wears an IWC Vintage Ingeniuer Automatic IW3233. This fits perfectly with Cruise’s characters smart, understated style.

3. Drive (2011)

Watch worn: Patek Phillipe

Ryan Gosling had girls falling at his feet in 2011 with his role as the scorpion jacketed ‘Driver’.

The enigmatic character resonated with male and female fans as the films sense of style captured the hearts and minds of movie goers.

In this movie, the driver wore a Patek Phillipe with a brown strap.

4. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Watch worn: Vintage Lancet

Some things you just have to do, in the popular cult film Pulp Fiction, a young Butch (Bruce Willis) meets his father’s friend who has something to tell him and it isn’t that the watch is a Langedorf….

5. Back to the Future (1985)

Watch worn: Casio CA53W Twincept Databank

In this popular movie, Marty McFly takes us back in time with this iconic Casio calculator watch.

At the time it was a regular rather than a celebrity watch, but a combination of the films popularity and our love for all things 80’s nostalgia has made it a relatively niche product.

 

6. Aliens (1986)

Watch worn: Seiko Speedtimer 7A28-7000

This watch is a brilliant example of 80’s fashion.

The watch is stylish enough for our heroine but also sturdy enough to do battle with a spaceship infested by human-hating xenomorphs.

7. Ghostbusters (1984)

Watch worn: Seiko M516 ‘Voice Note’ Watch

Seiko watches were really popular in the 80’s. This “celebrity” watch was specifically created for the Ghosbusters film. It really has all the gadgets required for ‘busting’ Ghosts.

 

8. 2001: A Space Oddysey (1968)

Watch worn: Hamilton Custom

Celebrity director Stanley Kubrick personally approached the Swiss-American manufacturing company, Hamilton to create the watches for the cosmonauts in his science-fiction classic film.

The watches symbolise the way that children of the late 60’s saw the future. Note the sharp angles and functional design. It’s a totally different style to the white, clear, curved science fiction films of today.

 

9. Real Madrid’s success rewarded with fine watches in 2014…

 

 

Real Madrid’s players were all awarded not just one, but two watches for winning a historic 10^th European cup against cross-town rivals Atlético Madrid in May 2014.

One of the watches was the popular €30,000 (at the time) Panerai Radiomir GMT Oro Rosso (pictured above), with a polished 18K red gold bezel, clasp, and case. The luxury pieces had an alligator skin strap, and each player’s name was engraved into the back.

But that wasn’t all, Christmas had well and truly come early for the Spanish club’s players when their celebrity player Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured here in a luxury yacht) decided to gift each of them an €8,200 watch made by Bulgari. Each timepiece was engraved with Ronaldo’s trademark abbreviation ‘CR7’, the player’s name and the words ‘La Decima.’

Defender Alvaro Arbeloa was so happy with his watch that he took to Twitter to post a picture of it, which can be seen below:

 

Sports and fine watches – intrinsically linked

This is proof – if any were needed – that celebrity watches are highly popular and sought-after assets both by collectors and celebrities; Ronaldo himself is known to be a watch enthusiast.

And, with his spot at the top of football’s rich list, he certainly has the capital to pursue that enthusiasm. In fact, Ronaldo has been an ambassador of watch manufacturing giants TAG Heuer, and Jacob & Co, to name only a few.

The passion for luxury watches among young, successful, and popular sportspeople is evident. As an asset of style and status, they’re remarkable and, for fashionable and rich young athletes, extremely alluring.

Indeed, the aforementioned TAG Heuer has long-standing connections with the Formula 1 scene. Celebrity drivers Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Fernando Alonso – among many more – have all held an ambassadorship for the watch manufacturer.

Other popular ambassadors for the German/Swiss company included tennis player Maria Sharapova, golfer Tiger Woods, and cross-country skier Therese Johaug. Additionally, the company has connections with the silver screen; a clutch of Hollywood and Bollywood stars have previously endorsed them. Former ambassador Leonardo DiCaprio especially is known to be a luxury watch connoisseur.

 

As a quick sum up of the most popular celebrity watches you can also watch our short video below:

 

 

New Bond Street Pawnbrokers is a multi-award-winning luxury pawn shop in central London. Some of the many watch brands we loan against include: A. Lange & Sohne, Breguet, Breitling, Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Omega, Panerai, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Tiffany, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Audemars Piguet, Graff, Patek Philippe, Franck Muller, and of course Rolex.

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