Spotlight on Luxury Watches at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival

Welcome to our latest deep dive into the world of luxury timepieces, where we explore the luxury watches that made a splash at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. As one of the most glamorous events on the global calendar, just like the Emmy Awards or the Oscars, Cannes is not just a showcase for the world's most exciting new films but also a hotbed of style, elegance, and luxury – and that includes the watches adorning the wrists of our favorite celebrities.

Scheduled to take place from 16 May to 27 May 2023, the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is an eagerly anticipated event in the cinematic calendar. The jury's helm is held by acclaimed Swedish director, Ruben Östlund. 

The red carpet at Cannes is a runway for stars to showcase their unique style and taste, and the watches they choose are an integral part of their ensemble. These meticulously crafted timepieces represent the pinnacle of watchmaking, combining precision, innovation, and an unmatchable aesthetic that never fails to turn heads.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the standout luxury watches that graced the festival. From the vintage classics to modern marvels, we will delve into the world of haute horlogerie as it was on full display at Cannes 2023. Buckle up for a stylish journey through time and let's discover Luxury Watches at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

All pictures were taken from Getty Images.

First of all, congrats to our Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford, who was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement at the Cannes Film Festival ahead of the premiere of his latest and last Indiana Jones film. 

During the festival, he was spotted wearing the Breitling Aerospace Avantage E7936. This titanium timepiece's distinctive black dial suits Ford's adventurous spirit and rugged charisma. Known for their precise chronographs, Breitling's reputation for reliability and performance matches the actor's own reputation for enduring appeal, making this timepiece an excellent choice for him. 

Current market price (May 2023): between $2,000 - $3,000.

At the festival, the accomplished Michael Douglas was noticed donning the TAG Heuer Carrera WAR201P.FC6485. This esteemed timepiece, known for its blend of classic appeal and verified performance, suits Douglas's refined style. The Carrera, with its captivating blue dial and vibrant red accents, pays homage to the robust persona of this prestigious watch, imbuing it with an air of distinct opulence that resonates well with Douglas's own charismatic allure. 

Retail price: $3,400.

Showcasing its prowess in ultra-thin watchmaking and gemstone mastery, Piaget has seamlessly blended Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie in its latest creation. Achieving a new record in thinness, this exceptional watch emerges as the world's slimmest hand-wound Haute Joaillerie timepiece, boasting a mere 5.60mm thickness. It features a dazzling display of 733 diamonds in an exquisite blend of baguette-cut stones adorning the dial's rim and bezel, while brilliant-cut diamonds grace the movement, case, lugs, and middle.

The Altiplano model, a paragon of luxury, is powered by the revolutionary Piaget 900D Manufacture movement. The mainplate and bridges, integrated directly into the case-middle, are wholly adorned with snow-set diamonds, requiring four days of painstaking craftsmanship. 

The off-centred dial is surrounded by a circle of baguette-cut diamonds, while a string of round diamonds decorate the back of the white gold case. Echoing the brilliance of the watch, the folding buckle also boasts a dazzling gem-setting, completing this remarkable piece of Haute Joaillerie.

Retail price: $175,000.

Making a stylish statement at Cannes Festival 2023, Will Ferrell was spotted donning the Zenith Defy Revival A3691, a watch that pays homage to Zenith's illustrious legacy. 

This model is the brand's second modern reissue, continuing the celebration of the unique Defy series which first saw the light of day in 1969. The Defy Revival A3691 encapsulates the captivating aesthetics of the 1971 reference A3691, enhanced by a mesmerising deep red gradient dial. It perfectly blends the original Defy's distinct design and Zenith's quest for innovative timepieces. 

The current market price (May 2023) is around ~$7,000.

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen graced the Cannes Film Festival with his refined style, embodying sophistication in every sense. His sartorial choice was complemented by the Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin watch, adding a touch of classic elegance to his attire. 

This Swiss masterpiece, featuring a sleek steel case and a luxurious black alligator leather strap, is a testament to Chopard's outstanding craftsmanship. The presence of a perpetual calendar complication enhances its practicality without compromising its timeless charm, aligning perfectly with Mikkelsen's distinguished fashion sense. 

Retail price: $25,200.

Celebrated filmmaker Xavier Dolan made a statement at the Cannes Film Festival, donning the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo S watch. 

This remarkable timepiece, with its mechanical manufacture movement and automatic winding, is housed in an extra-thin satin-polished stainless steel case and features a platinum micro-rotor. The polished stainless steel screw-down crown set with a ceramic inlay, silvered brushed dial beneath a transparent caseback, and a brushed stainless steel bracelet with polished parts and a folding clasp contribute to its exquisite aesthetics. 

Demonstrating as much functionality as style, Dolan's Bvlgari Octo Finissimo S is water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it a true epitome of luxury watchmaking. 

Retail price: ~$12,000.

Esteemed filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda was spotted at the Cannes Film Festival showcasing the Chanel J12 Black Ceramic H6185 on his wrist. This iconic timepiece, known for its fusion of luxury and functionality, adds an understated sophistication to Koreeda's style. 

Housed in a sleek black ceramic case, the watch embodies Chanel's commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and innovative design. The unassuming yet timeless elegance of the J12 Black Ceramic and its resilience perfectly align with Koreeda's reputable artistic vision. 

Retail price: $8,000.

Italian model Paola Turani attended the red carpet wearing the Patek Aquanaut Lady White 5267/200A.

Patek Philippe brings a fresh interpretation to the quartz Aquanaut Luce with a stainless steel design, sporting a larger diameter of 38.8mm and featuring a new integrated composite strap. Exuding contemporary casual elegance, this timepiece is dressed in a refined matte white hue that graces both the dial and the coordinating strap. The rounded octagonal case, which boasts a water resistance of 120 meters, is enriched with a combination of polished and satin finishes.

The bezel is elevated with a line of 48 sparkling diamonds, totaling approximately 1.11 carats, imbuing the watch with a radiant glow. The timepiece is completed with a patented folding clasp, ensured in its position by four independent catches, amalgamating security with style.

Its current market price (May 2023) is around $50,000.

As the first female president of the Cannes Film Festival, Iris Knobloch set a powerful and momentous tone during the gala event, not only with her leadership but also with her striking choice of timepiece – a Rolex Datejust 31 ref. 278248. 

The elegant watch, featuring a smooth bezel and an oyster bracelet, enhanced the gravity of the occasion when she stepped up to present the honorary Palme D'Or award to screen legend Harrison Ford. Knobloch's pivotal role, her commanding presence, and the fine craftsmanship of her Rolex all played their part in creating an unforgettable cinematic moment. 

Market price: ~$25,000.

At the Cannes Film Festival, Venezuelan actor Alejandro Nones made a striking impression on the red carpet. He sported an undeniably eye-catching timepiece, the Chopard Imperiale Tourbillon Full Set 384250-1002, adding to his distinguished appearance. 

This 18-carat white gold timepiece expertly employs the snow setting technique with a blend of brilliant-cut diamonds. Its highlights include a line of baguette-cut diamonds, an amethyst-set power-reserve indicator, and a dazzling white gold crown.

The bezel, lugs, and bracelet also feature ornate diamonds and amethysts. Water-resistant up to 30 meters, the 42 mm Imperiale Tourbillon Full Set radiates grandeur. Its sapphire crystal case-back is engraved with "Imperiale", "Tourbillon", and "Chopard" - exclusive marks of a remarkable timepiece. 

Contrary to the one displayed in the image, the one he has on is fitted with an alligator strap.

Retail price: €681,000.

On the important occasion, The Weeknd sported a tailor-made tuxedo from Loewe along with the exquisite Limelight Gala High Jewelry Watch by Piaget. 

It boasts a dial embellished with a snow-paved design, set with 289 sparkling brilliant-cut diamonds. Further enhancing its luxury, the watch's 18K white gold bracelet is studded with an additional 276 brilliant-cut diamonds, complemented by 124 yellow sapphires. 

The price of this unique watch is disclosed upon request. 

American basketball player Kyle Kuzma was spotted wearing the Patek Philippe Nautilus Tiffany.

Released in December 2021, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-018 was created to commemorate the long-lasting partnership between Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. This model with the typical style of Nautilus combined with the iconic blue turquoise (or should I say Tiffany?) colour for the dial is probably the most hyped and coveted luxury watch on earth nowadays.