This is an edition of Box + Papers newsletter, Cam Wolf's weekly deep dive into the world of watches. Login here.
Last week I was pleased to discover that celebrities are just as keen to show off a watch appropriately as I am. This has long been indicated by the posture of many visitors on the red carpet: the arm is bent at the elbow and the hand lovingly frames her famous, reserved wrist, which inevitably has a beautiful watch on it. Or, less subtle, like Will Ferrell proudly holding up his watch for the eager flock of photographers.
While it's long been clear that celebrities love their watches – and are just as keen on taking great photos of them as the rest of us idiots – this was finally made clear earlier this month. In the aftermath of a super-watchful Golden Globes, playwright and red carpet star Jeremy O. Harris spoke about the importance of getting his watch on record. “A little-talked about, anxiety-inducing part of the men's fashion red carpet is making sure the watch is running correctly,” he wrote on X in response to a snarky comment about actor Jonathan Bailey's watch-conscious attitude. “There aren't many poses that are forward-facing, and if you're not careful, most poses will obstruct your view of the clock.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: Will Ferrell attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/WireImage)Jon Kopaloff
When famous people think about showing off their watches, the stylists who dress them naturally think about it too. And of course, they're spending more time than ever making sure they find the right watch for a specific event. “Yes, we definitely discuss what's best based on the look they're wearing,” said Jamie Mizrahi, who styles Jeremy Allen White and posted a close-up of his watch ahead of Monday's Emmy Awards. “We typically go for a more casual watch with a larger dial for daytime events and a slimmer, smaller watch for dressier occasions.”
But it's not just about choosing the watch – stylists also make sure the pieces have their place in the spotlight. Ilaria Urbinati — who styles Barry Keoghan, James Marsden, Donald Glover and John Krasinski — notices that her clients intentionally pose to show off their wrist favours. “They tend to do the hand-in-front-of-body exercises basically at their waist,” she said. “James Marsden is really good at it, Barry Keoghan too. Personally, I love the hand-in-pocket pose, which is not ideal for the watch, so we try to pick our battles.”
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