The curtain closed on awards season at the 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and while cinema celebrated its finest performances, watch collectors were busy studying something else entirely: wrists.
The Oscars have become one of the most important nights for horological spotting. Tuxedos sharpen, diamonds multiply, and the world’s biggest maisons compete for a sliver of wrist real estate on the industry’s most photographed carpet. From vintage cocktail watches to modern haute-horlogerie statements, the 2026 ceremony delivered a surprisingly eclectic lineup of timepieces.
Here are the watches we can't stop talking about.
Hudson Williams — Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas
There are watches that tell time, and then there are watches that tell stories. Hudson Williams arrived wearing the unmistakable Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas, the Roman jeweler’s sculptural icon. The coiling bracelet and sinuous case remain one of the most recognizable designs in modern watchmaking. On the Oscars carpet, the Serpenti felt perfectly cinematic—part jewellery, part mechanical artistry.
Amy Madigan — Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M
Veteran actress Amy Madigan took home Best Supporting Actress for Weapons, but watch enthusiasts were equally captivated by her wrist. She chose a diamond-set Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M in two-tone steel and Moonshine gold from Omega. The Aqua Terra is typically praised for its versatility, but this gem-set interpretation turned the everyday sports watch into full red-carpet jewellery.
Nicole Kidman — Vintage Omega Cocktail Watch
If awards season has a quiet watch hero, it might be Nicole Kidman. The actress has developed a habit of reaching into the archives of Omega rather than wearing contemporary releases.
At this year’s ceremony she appeared in a delicate vintage cocktail watch reminiscent of the 1960s Saphette pieces—tiny, diamond-set, and unapologetically elegant. In a world of oversized sports watches, Kidman’s choice proved that restraint remains the ultimate luxury.
Chris Evans — Chopard L.U.C XPS
Chris Evans reunited with Robert Downey Jr. on the Oscars stage, and his watch choice matched the nostalgia. Evans wore the ultra-refined Chopard L.U.C XPS from Chopard in 18-carat rose gold.
For collectors, the XPS is a flex: a slim dress watch powered by Chopard’s in-house L.U.C movement, widely respected for its finishing and chronometer-level precision. Evans’ look was classic Hollywood—nothing flashy, just impeccable watchmaking.
Shaboozey — Chopard L’Heure du Diamant
Singer Shaboozey delivered one of the boldest wrist moments of the night with the diamond-drenched Chopard L'Heure du Diamant.
Technically positioned within Chopard’s women’s collections, the fully pavé white-gold watch reflects a growing red-carpet trend: watches transcending gender categories. On the Oscars carpet, diamonds don’t ask questions—they just sparkle.
Wagner Moura — Omega De Ville Prestige
Fresh off a landmark awards season, Wagner Moura opted for the Omega De Ville Prestige. Classic Roman numerals and a slim profile made it a fitting choice—proof that on a night of spectacle, simplicity still commands attention.
Michael Cimino — Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
Michael Cimino leaned into one of watchmaking’s most storied icons, the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional. With its direct lineage to the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the piece remains a symbol of precision and exploration—bringing a sense of legacy to the red carpet.
Chase Stokes — Omega Speedmaster 38 Sedna Gold
Chase Stokes brought a warmer tone to the Speedmaster family with the Sedna Gold 38mm. Omega’s proprietary rose gold alloy adds richness without excess, offering a more refined, red-carpet-ready interpretation of the legendary chronograph.
Kieran Culkin — Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph King Gold
Last year’s Supporting Actor winner Kieran Culkin returned to the Oscars carpet wearing the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph King Gold 42 from Hublot.
Hublot’s proprietary King Gold alloy gives the case a warmer tone than traditional rose gold, while the Classic Fusion line keeps the brand’s signature boldness elegantly streamlined. It’s exactly the kind of watch that bridges contemporary watchmaking with red-carpet polish.
Rita Ora — Hublot Big Bang One Click Steel Full Pavé 33mm
Diamonds took centre stage as Rita Ora arrived in the Hublot Big Bang One Click Steel Full Pavé. Fully set and bold, it reflected Hublot’s philosophy of maximalism—where watchmaking meets high jewellery without compromise.
Barry Keoghan — Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Steel Pavé 32mm
Barry Keoghan continued the diamond-forward narrative with the Spirit of Big Bang Steel Pavé. Its tonneau-shaped case adds architectural interest, while the pavé setting ensured it held its own under the relentless glare of flash photography.
Joe Alwyn — Hublot Classic Fusion Essential Grey 42mm
Minimalism found its place on the carpet through Joe Alwyn, who wore the Classic Fusion Essential Grey. The monochromatic palette and satin finishes gave the piece a distinctly modern sensibility — executed with precision.
Miles Caton — Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium King Gold 45mm
Miles Caton opted for scale and presence with the Classic Fusion Chronograph in Titanium and King Gold. The fusion of lightweight titanium and Hublot’s proprietary gold alloy delivered both visual impact and technical intrigue—very much in line with the brand’s DNA.
Gabriel Leone — Bulgari Octo Roma
Brazilian actor Gabriel Leone made one of the sharpest picks of the evening with the Bulgari Octo Roma from Bulgari.
The Octo family has become a modern icon thanks to its architectural geometry and ultra-thin engineering. On Leone’s wrist, the black-dial stainless-steel version struck the perfect balance between sporty and formal—exactly what a contemporary red-carpet watch should do.
Robert Downey Jr. — Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe
A perennial collector’s favourite, Robert Downey Jr. brought serious dive-watch credibility to the carpet with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. Known as one of the original modern dive watches, the Bathyscaphe’s clean ceramic aesthetic and technical pedigree offered a sharp counterpoint to the evening’s formalwear—understated, but deeply respected within collector circles.
The Big Takeaway From the 2026 Oscars
What ultimately stood out this year was how deliberately watch-focused the red carpet felt. From archival Omega cocktail pieces to contemporary haute-horlogerie from Bulgari, Chopard, and Hublot, the wrists on display reflected a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and brand heritage. The Oscars may celebrate cinema, but for collectors and enthusiasts watching closely, it also delivered a masterclass in modern watch taste—where design pedigree, mechanical credibility, and personal style shared the spotlight.
