The increasingly popular pastime of “watch spotting” has firmly established itself on the red carpet at major global events, including the Oscars. Each year, competition among luxury brands to place their timepieces on top talent—and ideally, Oscar winners—continues to intensify.
At the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, stars arrived wearing timepieces from some of the world’s most prestigious watchmakers. These watches underscore the industry’s ability to balance technical precision with high design suitable for black-tie occasions.
Michael B. Jordan, who won the Oscar for an Actor in a Leading Role for Sinners, wore his personal vintage Piaget Ref. 9297 on the red carpet (top photo). Actress Kerry Condon paired Piaget’s Limelight Gala watch with the brand’s Treasure high jewelry earrings.
Shaboozey selected a diamond-set Chopard watch in 18k white gold from the L’Heure du Diamant collection for the red carpet, completing the look with Mikimoto pearls worn as both an earring and tuxedo accents. During his performance of “I Lied to You” with the Sinners cast, he switched to an H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Tourbillon Vantablack Red Gold.
In the same performance, Raphael Saadiq wore the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked (Ref. 26601NR.OO.D002KB.01), powered by the caliber 2980.
On the red carpet, Aaron Piper opted for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding (Ref. 77450BA.GG.1361BA.01) in a 34mm case.
Omega, as usual, was well represented. Among its wearers, Amy Madigan, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, chose a 30mm Seamaster Aqua Terra in stainless steel and 18k Moonshine Gold with a diamond-set bezel (Ref. 220.25.30.20.55.001).
Delroy Lindo, nominated for Best Supporting Actor, wore an unreleased Omega model in 18k Moonshine Gold, while Best Actor nominee Wagner Moura selected a 41mm De Ville Prestige in stainless steel on a black leather strap (Ref. 434.13.41.20.02.001).
Nicole Kidman wore a vintage 1966 Omega Sapphette in 14k white gold. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
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Nicole Kidman, a longtime Omega ambassador and an Oscars presenter this year, wore a vintage 1966 Omega Sapphette in 14k white gold, featuring a silver sunburst dial with diamond-set wings. Presenter Lewis Pullman opted for a 40mm De Ville Trésor on a gray leather strap (Ref. 435.53.40.21.06.00).
Bulgari dressed several attendees, including actor Hudson Williams, who wore the Serpenti Seduttori Ref. 103145 in 18k rose gold, paired with B.zero1 rings.
Cartier outfitted several ambassadors. Jacob Elordi wore the Cartier Tank à Guichets in platinum with leather, along with a suite of Cartier jewelry, including C de Cartier diamond stud earrings, Héritage onyx cufflinks, and multiple rings from the Broderie and Panthère collections.
Paul Mescal selected the Tank Louis Cartier, mini model in 18k yellow gold on leather, paired with a Juste un Clou single hoop earring.
Vacheron Constantin also made an appearance on the red carpet. Nominee Felix Kammerer wore a 36.5mm Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin in white gold, while presenter Kumail Nanjiani opted for a 41.5mm Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton in pink gold.
Blancpain was also on display, with Robert Downey Jr. wearing the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune and Sterling K. Brown in the Villeret Quantième Complet.
Timothée Chalamet, nominated for Actor in a Leading Role, chose the UJ-2 from Danish watchmaker Urban Jürgensen, featuring a platinum case and white dial.
This article was originally published on forbes.com.
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