The 78th Cannes Film Festival was more than just a parade of cinematic brilliance—it was a masterclass in style. From the fluttering hems of couture gowns to the razor-sharp tailoring of bespoke tuxedos, the Croisette shimmered with fashion’s finest moments. But beneath the flashbulbs and fanfare, an unspoken language of luxury was ticking away quietly on the wrists of the world's most photographed figures. This year, timepieces weren’t simply accessories—they were extensions of identity, markers of heritage, and emblems of exquisite taste. With every glimpse of a cuff or sweep of a sleeve, Cannes became a stage for horological storytelling. Here, the watches that stopped time—and turned heads—on the Riviera.
Patrick Schwarzenegger – Chopard L.U.C
Heritage Grand Cru
Patrick Schwarzenegger made his Cannes debut in a masterful display of elegance. On his wrist he wore Chopard’s L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru in 18k white gold – a sculpture of a watch whose tonneau-shaped case is set with 40 baguette-cut diamonds around a sleek black dial. This high-jewelry timepiece added a dose of red-carpet bravado to Schwarzenegger’s classic tuxedo look. Traditionally known for timeless basics, the White Lotus actor embraced an unexpectedly opulent statement piece, one whose sheer refinement and precision perfectly echoed his polished, confident presence on the Croisette.
Tom Cruise – Rolex Day-Date 40 (Meteorite Dial)
Tom Cruise, in promotion of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, chose a cosmic twist on Rolex’s signature presidential watch. He donned a white-gold Rolex Day-Date 40 with a rare meteorite dial – a dial literally “cut from another world,” as one writer notes. The meteorite (from Namibia’s Gibeon strewn field) gives the dial its unique silvery-grey Widmanstätten pattern, so that no two are alike. This refined variant of the Day-Date is powered by Rolex’s advanced Calibre 3255 movement and framed by the brand’s famous fluted bezel and President bracelet – all hallmarks of prestige. In Cruise’s hands, the watch’s timeless, almost other-worldly quality becomes a fitting metaphor for his enduring stardom and the epic scale of the franchise he is spearheading.
Pierfrancesco Favino – Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Italian screen legend Pierfrancesco Favino brought haute horology to the opening of Partir Un Jour. He appeared wearing Audemars Piguet’s latest Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in 18k “sand” gold (Ref. 26674SG). This special gold alloy shifts hues depending on the light – sometimes warm yellow, sometimes pinkish or near-white – giving the watch an almost magical chameleon glow on the wrist. The watch’s ultra-thin Calibre 7138 perpetual-calendar movement (an evolution of AP’s famously difficult RD2/RD4) powers its month, date, day, moonphase, and week functions without the need for case-band correctors. The refined complexity of this perpetual calendar, along with its luxurious shifting tone and iconic Royal Oak octagonal bezel, mirrors Favino’s own blend of classic sophistication and artistic innovation as he graced the Cannes red carpet.
Jennifer Lawrence – Longines DolceVita
Jennifer Lawrence epitomized understated glamour at the premiere of Die, My Love. On her wrist was a Longines DolceVita ref. L5.255.4.71.0 – a petite rectangular watch with a silver “flinqué” dial and elegant black leather strap. Its classic Art Deco-inspired lines, Roman numeral indices, and steel case are the very definition of ladylike refinement, perfectly complementing Lawrence’s poised red-carpet style. The DolceVita collection is meant to recall the ease and romanticism of Mediterranean luxury, and the watch’s slender profile and clean dial echoed both Lawrence’s graceful femininity and the film’s atmosphere of timeless sophistication.
Tramell Tillman – Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Tribute Series
For the MI7 photocall, Tramell Tillman chose a piece of film history in miniature. He wore Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in 18k pink gold, featuring a fine Milanese mesh bracelet. This Art Deco icon (famous for its reversible case) looks every bit as refined as Tillman’s tailored ensemble, with a crisp black sunray dial, dauphine hands and elegant gadroons that nod to the Reverso’s 1930s heritage. Later, on the evening carpet, Tillman flipped the dial: he added the Reverso Tribute Chronograph (also in pink gold) to his ensemble. This dual-face marvel presents a traditional Tribute front dial on one side and, on the reverse, an open-worked chronograph mechanism powered by JLC’s Calibre 860. The seamless interplay of classic and contemporary on one watch nicely parallels Tillman’s sleek, enigmatic character in the spy thriller – a quiet technical powerhouse hidden beneath a timeless exterior.
A$AP Rocky – Patek Philippe Nautilus
Rapper-turned-actor A$AP Rocky marked his Cannes debut (for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest) with a striking watch duo. First, he sported a Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800/1J in 18k yellow gold – a Gerald Genta-designed classic with a slim 38mm case and a champagne dial set off by luminous markers. This golden Nautilus, with its integrated steel-and-gold bracelet, strikes a balance between sporty and polished, reflecting Rocky’s effortless cool and streetwise elegance. Later on the red carpet he swapped into a high-jewelry secret watch from Bulgari’s Monete collection. This “secret” watch is hidden beneath a chain-link bracelet and accompanied by matching ruby-red jewelry – a dramatic piece studded with deep red rubellites that popped against Rocky’s dark ensemble. In both watches, Rocky fused bold color and heritage design: the Nautilus underscored his refined swagger, while the Bulgari jeweled timepiece asserted his fearless, avant-garde sensibility.
Rupert Friend – Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea
Automatic Date
Rupert Friend’s choice of timepiece evoked cinematic adventure. For the premiere of The Phoenician Scheme, the former Bond actor wore Montblanc’s 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date – a bronze-hued diver’s watch designed for rugged elegance. Its warm bronze-tone stainless case and muted bronze dial (paired with a matte rubber strap) recall sunset light on an Alpine horizon, a nod to Montblanc’s mountain-climbing heritage. Though a tool watch by origin (water-resistant to 300m), the Iced Sea’s clean dial and bold indices also look stylish under his tailored suit. Friend’s selection speaks to the film’s globe-trotting espionage, pairing an outdoorsy robustness with urbane poise. The watch’s mix of durability and design sophistication gave Friend a quietly commanding presence, much like his own steady intensity on screen.
Austin Butler – Breitling Chronomat 32
At the premiere of Eddington, Oscar-nominated Austin Butler kept his look cool and modern. Butler, a Breitling Squad member, finished his midnight-blue ensemble with a Breitling Chronomat 32. The Chronomat 32 is a mid-size, streamlined variant of Breitling’s classic Chronomat family. In polished stainless steel with the signature “Rouleaux” bracelet, it brings a sporty yet elegant flair to Butler’s look. Under the hood beats Breitling’s Calibre 77 – a high-precision COSC-certified SuperQuartz™ movement – ensuring unparalleled accuracy in a sleek package. This versatile, modern-retro watch matched Butler’s youthful charisma and eclectic role choices: it’s refined without flashiness, a quietly confident timepiece for a rising star who let his performance, not his accessories, take center stage.
The Last Word
At Cannes 2025, the red carpet wasn’t just a showcase of film and fashion—it was a living gallery of horological artistry. These weren’t just watches; they were symbols of legacy, innovation, and self-expression. In a world where every detail is scrutinized, and every second counts, these timepieces proved that when it comes to style, timing is everything.
