Owen Wilson’s a Big Fan of This Collector-Favorite Rolex

We have it on good authority that Owen Wilson’s a Rolex man. Our source? The man himself relentlessly rocking the Crown throughout his career. In both The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Wedding Crashers, Wilson wore a GMT-Master II “Pepsi” ref. 16710. In The Dajeeling Limited, he wore the black-and-blue “Batman” GMT-Master II ref. 116710. But in real life, it’s Wilson’s Submariner “Hulk” ref. 116610LV that seems to get the most wrist time.

Spotted in Los Angeles this week, Wilson wore the modern dive watch favorite with a classic sand-colored summer suit—an L.A. power fit if ever there was one. Submariner diehards will recall that the “Kermit”—a steel 40mm Submariner Date with a green bezel and black dial—debuted in 2003 in celebration of the model’s 50th anniversary. In 2010, Rolex followed it up with what fans dubbed the “Hulk,” a steel reference with both a green bezel and a green dial, this time contained in the chunkier “Super” case with thicker lugs and a “Maxi” dial with larger lume plots.

The “Hulk,” like the “Kermit,” is a beloved Sub—the playful riff on the classic Submariner formula of steel case, black bezel insert, and black dial not only injects some variety into the model family, but it’s also a handsome design in and of itself. That it’s stainless steel rather than gold—other more colorful Sub dials only come on precious metal references—is also an attractive trait, though of course the “Hulk” was difficult to buy at retail even in 2010.

In 2020, Rolex discontinued it and replaced it with the ref. 126610LV, a modern “Kermit” with black dial and green bezel insert. Upsized to 41mm, the Submariner was now even further removed from its longtime relatively svelte proportions and instead properly chunky, causing some consternation amongst the horological cognoscenti. (Millions of people seem to be just fine with the updated spec, however, seeing as Rolex can’t keep them on shelves.) Currently, there’s no “Hulk” in the Crown’s catalog, and the hunt for one will thus take you to places like the secondary market Chrono24, where you’ll be obliged to drop somewhere in the neighborhood of $20K for a clean example.

Wilson isn’t the first proliferator of hilarity to specialize in proper tool watches: Frequent collaborator Will Ferrell is a serious watch guy, with Tudor chronographs, Zenith El Primeros, and goofy field watches in his arsenal. Ben Stiller, meanwhile, has been spotted in blacked-out Panerais, and Steve Carell dutifully donned a Speedy for Space Force. Frankly, these are enough tough-guy watches amongst the Frat Pack to outfit a Special Forces squadron, even if the only mission these dudes should be sent on is the type that played out in Tropic Thunder.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

I don’t know if this guy’s our next Bond or not, but I do know that he’s copped a ton of 007 gear since his big Omega announcement a couple of weeks back. Case in point: The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M that he wore to the 28 Year Later photocall in Paris. The Seamaster Diver 300M, you’ll recall, has been James Bond’s watch since 1995’s Goldeneye—which, for you fellow millennials, was 30 freaking years ago. Taylor-Johnson’s watch, a ref. 210.30.42.20.01.001, is a larger, modern version of Brosnan’s timepiece, with a 42-mm steel case, a matching bracelet, a black “wave” dial, and the automatic Omega cal. 8800 movement.

Harry Kane’s Patek Philippe Cubitus

English footballer Harry Kane wore the platinum version of the Patek Philippe Cubitus to the F1 Grand Prix of Spain in Barcelona last weekend. One of the original launch references when the Cubitus debuted last fall in Munich, the ref. 5822P-001 boasts several complications. An outsized date is featured below 12 o’clock, while a combination moonphase and day display is situated between 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock. Measuring 45 mm wide and 9.6 mm tall, it’s a large watch, though the brand also debuted more compact, non-complicated white and rose gold versions at this year’s Watches and Wonders in Geneva.

Drew Starkey’s Tank Louis Cartier

Actor Drew Starkey of Queer and Outer Banks fame wore a delightful Tank Louis Cartier to Netflix’s big showcase last weekend. Measuring 22mm x 29.5mm in yellow gold, this Tank features a black lacquer dial set with 151 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.71 carats—plus one more in the beaded crown for good measure. Of all the special Tank Louis models from the past few years, this has to be one of the most spectacular. Unfortunately, it’s not part of the current Cartier catalog and is rather hard to track down. (Get yourself a starring role opposite Daniel Craig, and you may find that your chances of snagging one increase, however.)

Lionel Messi and Carlos Alcaraz’s Rolex Daytona and Tudor Black Bay Chrono

“Tiffany” Blue-inspired madness continues to execute a chokehold upon the industry. Lionel Messi and Carlos Alcaraz both got the message, rocking Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Flamingo Blue” and Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches, respectively, with brightly hued dials. And while securing an actual Tiffany-signed blue dial will require you tracking down a now-discontinued Nautilus ref. 5711, finding a watch with a sky blue face is getting easier and easier. Rolex (and Tudor) seem to specialize in them these days, and other brands are also joining the fray. One thing’s for sure: The sunny colorway is the perfect summertime look.