The Watches At The BAFTAs Red Carpet Go Incredibly Hard
In a sea of black tuxedos, the real flex sat under the cuff
The 2026 BAFTA Awards 2026 did not disappoint on either cinema or style. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was the night’s big winner, topping the field with six major awards including Best Film and Best Director. Sinners also made history with three wins and record nominations for a Black director, while Hamnet took home Outstanding British Film and Best Actress for Jessie Buckley. In an exciting twist, Robert Aramayo scored Best Actor for I Swear, beating out some heavy Hollywood favourites, like Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another and Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme. On the global stage, Farhan Akhtar’s Manipuri-backed Boong claimed Best Children’s & Family Film, marking a notable moment for Indian cinema.
On the red carpet, headline moments ranged from classic Hollywood glam to first-time appearances. Indian star Alia Bhatt made her BAFTA debut in a shimmering silver Gucci gown as a presenter, while Farhan Akhtar and his wife Shibani Dandekar turned heads with coordinated black-tie looks as they celebrated Boong’s success. Timothée Chalamet brought his usual cool with Kylie Jenner in tow, while others delivered memorable men’s fashion moments within the evening’s strict formal dress code.
With the black tux nearly a universal dress code for men at the event, the wristwatch became the real field for personal expression. Here are the standout pieces that helped each man tell his own story.
Leonardo DiCaprio's Rolex Daytona "Le Mans"
The most prestigious watch of the night, full stop. DiCaprio once again wore the white-gold “Le Mans” Daytona, released in 2023 to mark 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and now discontinued. It runs on Rolex’s calibre 4132 with a 72-hour power reserve and features a red “100” on the black Cerachrom bezel, plus a rare exhibition caseback. In collector circles, this reference has already become a modern heavyweight.
Stormzy's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
Stormzy’s Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked sits high within Audemars Piguet’s catalogue. The 41mm watch is powered by calibre 3132 and features AP’s patented double balance wheel system, visible through the skeletonised dial. It is technically serious and visually bold, with the signature octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet that define the Royal Oak line. Among contemporary statement pieces, this is near the top tier.
Michael B. Jordan's Vacheron Constantin Prestige de la France
Jordan’s vintage Prestige de la France represents a very specific era of Vacheron Constantin design. Produced in the 1970s, these asymmetric yellow-gold models often featured diamond-set bezels and slim manual-wind movements. They were never mainstream icons, which is exactly why collectors value them today. It signals knowledge of high-end vintage beyond the usual round dress watch formula.
Timothée Chalamet's Urban Jürgensen UJ-2
Chalamet continues his run with Urban Jürgensen, wearing the UJ-2 again after earlier appearances this season. The 39mm piece features a hand-guilloché dial and traditional finishing, powered by the in-house calibre UJ-2 with twin barrels and a free-sprung balance. Urban Jürgensen operates in the independent space, producing watches in very small numbers, which gives the UJ-2 strong credibility among serious collectors.
Paul Mescal's Vintage Cartier Basculante
Mescal opted for a vintage Basculante from Cartier, a reversible design first introduced in the 1930s. Often compared to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, the Basculante features a case that flips vertically to protect the dial. Most vintage examples house manual-wind movements and lean heavily into Cartier’s rectangular design codes. It is a refined choice that favours heritage over size or flash.
You may also like
Ethan Hawke's Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
There’s a certain confidence required to wear a smaller Aqua Terra officially positioned in Omega’s women’s catalogue, and Ethan Hawke clearly has it. The Seamaster Aqua Terra line is known for its clean teak-pattern dial, robust Co-Axial automatic movement, and everyday versatility, but in this more compact size it reads refined rather than rugged. Paired with a Tiger’s Eye bolo tie and a subtly embellished suit, the choice feels deliberate: a technically serious Swiss watch worn without ego, proving that good taste beats arbitrary sizing rules every time.
Patrick Dempsey's TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon
Dempsey wore the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon from TAG Heuer, powered by the in-house TH20-09 movement with an 80-hour power reserve. Limited to 200 pieces, it places a tourbillon at 6 o’clock and pairs it with a gradient dial for added impact. Within TAG Heuer’s modern lineup, this is one of the brand’s more technically ambitious offerings.
Stellan Skarsgård's Omega Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026
Skarsgård’s Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 was created in anticipation of this year's Winter Olympic Games. Inspired by Omega’s 1956 Olympic Seamaster, it features vintage-leaning proportions and a Master Chronometer-certified automatic movement with Co-Axial escapement. At 37mm, it stays true to mid-century sizing while meeting modern technical standards.