Where the screen
tells time
An online journal on the watches of cinema. The pieces actors wore on screen, the stories behind them and the watches we would cast today.
Latest articles
Steve McQueen, Le Mans and the Heuer Monaco
How a square, blue-dialled chronograph that few people wanted became the most recognisable watch in racing cinema.
Read the storyThe Casio calculator watch that went back to 1955
Marty McFly's digital watch is a perfect piece of 1985 costume design, and proof that iconic does not have to mean expensive.
Read the storyDaniel Craig's five Omegas, film by film
From Casino Royale to No Time to Die, how Bond's wrist changed with the character, one Seamaster at a time.
Read the storyThe watch on Patrick Bateman's wrist
In a film obsessed with status symbols, the watch says as much about the character as the business cards do.
Read the storyApollo 13 and the Speedmaster that timed the way home
The film, the real mission and the chronograph that NASA had already qualified for spaceflight.
Read the storyThe one watch we would give Captain Willard
Jungle, river, heat and a mission with no clear end. We recast Apocalypse Now with a single tool watch built for military use.
Read the story
Every great scene has a watch in it
Cult & Crown started on Instagram with a simple question: what is that on his wrist? Behind almost every iconic character there is a costume designer, a prop master or an actor who chose a watch for a reason.
We dig into those choices: the real references, the history of the brands and the details you only notice on the third viewing.
Read our storyArticles by category
On Screen
The real watch, the real scene. What an actor actually wore, and why it mattered.
ExploreRecast
Watches we would have a character wear today, and the reasoning behind every pick.
ExploreThe Collection
Three watches seen on screen, one budget. Diver, everyday and something special.
ExploreFeatures
Longer reads on the industry, the props department and the stories in between.
ExploreJoin our community
Weekly reels, quizzes in our Stories and a community of film and watch lovers. Follow along for new stories and behind the scenes.
Cult & Crown is written by a film lover with a weakness for watches. We believe the watch on a character's wrist is never an accident.
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