Red carpets always deliver unforgettable style moments, but throw in some Formula 1 energy, and suddenly, it's watch heaven. Recently, the London premiere of Joseph Kosinski's highly anticipated F1 movie was exactly that kind of event. Star power, engines roaring in the background, and wrists dripping in serious horological heat.
We admit it, we weren't just there for the stars. We had our eyes firmly locked onto the watches at the F1 premiere, and they didn’t disappoint.
Watches at the F1 Premiere: The Star Picks
When you gather stars like Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Tom Cruise together in one location, you don't just get a photo op, you get an impromptu watch showcase. The watches spotted at the F1 premiere ranged from classic Rolex models to IWC’s latest creations, making the event a dream scenario for any watch enthusiast. Let's dive into exactly who wore what at the event, and why it mattered:
1. Brad Pitt: Vacheron Constantin 222
Brad Pitt usually keeps his watches out of the spotlight, but at the premiere, we caught a rare glimpse of his wristwear. He chose a gold Vacheron Constantin 222, a refined, vintage-inspired pick that we genuinely admire. It whispers class without screaming luxury.
2. Damson Idris: IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35
Damson Idris loves watches, and he’s not shy about it. For this event, he sported the Ingenieur Automatic 35 from IWC in gold, a sleek, mid-size watch that felt sophisticated without trying too hard. It perfectly matched his red-carpet energy.
3. Tom Cruise: Rolex Daytona (Platinum)
Tom Cruise’s choice, because of course he would, was a platinum Rolex Daytona. This watch is legendary, bold yet incredibly refined. It's an easy winner among celebrity red carpet watches, perfectly suited to Cruise's personality.
4. Patrick Schwarzenegger: Tommy Hilfiger TH85
A youthful choice, Schwarzenegger’s Tommy Hilfiger TH85 was a nod to sporty style. Its red and blue bezel added a dash of color, offering something fresh compared to the more traditional luxury watches.
5. Simone Ashley: IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35
Simone Ashley matched Damson Idris in her choice of the Ingenieur Automatic 35. We appreciate seeing women confidently embracing smaller, historically informed pieces on the red carpet.
6. Samson Kayo: Rolex Day-Date (Yellow Gold)
Kayo’s Rolex Day-Date was unapologetically bold. Known as the “President’s Watch,” it's a model synonymous with status. Seeing it worn with such casual confidence made it an easy favorite of ours.
7. Abdul Salis: Rolex Day-Date II (White Gold, Black Dial)
Salis wore a Day-Date II with a striking black dial and white gold body, a quieter, sophisticated take on a Rolex classic. It's exactly the kind of understated luxury that commands respect.
From vintage-inspired classics to bold statement pieces, these celebrity choices perfectly captured the essence of luxury watches at the F1 premiere. We can't help but admire how each selection revealed a glimpse into their personal style.
Top Picks Inspired by New Celebrity Watch Trends
The watches spotted at the F1 premiere point toward a clear shift in red-carpet watch trends. Here’s what we’re noticing:
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Shift Toward Vintage Appeal - Brad Pitt’s Vacheron Constantin 222 is a great example of this trend. Celebrities increasingly choose watches with heritage, pieces that carry a story or historical charm. Vintage-inspired watches offer a connection to the past, and we’re completely on board with this revival.
Try this: Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 7234G (37.5 mm white-gold)
This mid-size, pilot-inspired Calatrava offers vintage charm through its elegant dial design and classic white-gold case. It channels the same timeless appeal as Brad Pitt’s Vacheron Constantin 222—rich in history yet wearable for every day
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Smaller Watches Making a Comeback - Gone are the days when bigger meant better. Damson Idris and Simone Ashley’s IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 exemplifies the resurgence of smaller, elegant watches. It’s refreshing to see celebs choose sophisticated pieces that blend style and subtlety.
Try this: Patek Philippe Calatrava 6007G-001
At around 39 mm, this refined Calatrava exudes that same sense of elegant restraint as Damson Idris and Simone Ashley’s mid-sized IWC selections. It’s perfectly understated with a splash of color, a nod to smartly sized sophistication.
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Rolex Still Rules (But Differently) - Rolex remains king on the red carpet, but the choices are evolving. Tom Cruise’s platinum Daytona and Samson Kayo’s gold Day-Date underscore that celebrities continue to love Rolex’s iconic status while seeking unique dial configurations and metal choices.
Try this: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Platinum 40 mm (Blue Dial)
Mirror Tom Cruise’s platinum Daytona with this stunning platinum model—complete with a striking blue dial. It’s luxurious, statement-making, and clearly positioned at the top of celebrity red-carpet watch selections.
Overall, the watches spotted at the F1 premiere clearly reflect a fresh chapter for celebrity wristwear, more thoughtful, understated, and historically informed. If this trend continues, the future of luxury watches looks even brighter.
How F1 Influences Watch Trends
Formula 1 has always shared deep ties with precision, performance, and luxury, traits that naturally align with fine watchmaking. That connection was on full display at the F1 premiere, where timepieces weren’t just accessories, they were extensions of the F1 spirit.
Take IWC, for instance. The Ingenieur line has roots in motorsport engineering, and it showed. Damson Idris and Simone Ashley both wore Ingenieur models that nodded to that legacy. Their choices weren’t random, they felt like purposeful nods to the high-performance world they were celebrating. The design, the materials, the grid-pattern dials, it all echoed Formula 1 mechanics in a wearable form.
Then you have Rolex, a name nearly synonymous with motorsport thanks to the legendary Daytona. Tom Cruise wearing a platinum Daytona didn’t feel like product placement, it felt like fandom. The Daytona has long been favored by racers and collectors alike, and its presence on Cruise’s wrist at the premiere felt like a subtle reminder that speed and time are forever connected.
Explore These Luxury Watches with Timepiece Trading
As we wrap our reflections on the unforgettable watches spotted at the F1 premiere, one thing is clear: celebrity watch culture is evolving. The shift towards vintage-inspired elegance, smaller case sizes, and refined aesthetics signals exciting times ahead for watch enthusiasts.
These events not only showcase dazzling celebrity red carpet watches but also inspire and influence future trends, shaping how we all view luxury watches in 2025 and beyond.
We can’t wait to see what the next major event brings, but for now, the F1 premiere has set a high bar.
Loved the watches at the F1 premiere? Visit Timepiece Trading today to shop or browse the latest Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille watches. Contact us here to find your next horological treasure.
