Once reserved for understated gold dress watches, the red carpet has seen a dramatic shift in recent years. A decade ago, wearing anything but a slim, elegant timepiece to a major awards show would have been considered a serious faux pas. But now, sport watches—once the domain of collectors and casual wear—are making their way into the most formal of settings, often reimagined with a glamorous twist.
At the 2025 Academy Awards, this trend reached new heights. Actor Colman Domingo, known for his consistently sharp style, wore a dazzling version of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. Though originally famous for its role in NASA missions, Domingo’s Moonwatch was far from utilitarian. This bespoke, off-catalog model costs $160,000 and features baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel, additional stones marking the hours, and a case and bracelet made from Omega’s exclusive “Canopus Gold”—a luxurious alloy that blends gold, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Still retaining the core design of the legendary Moonwatch, this edition was clearly tailored for black-tie glamour.
Domingo wasn’t alone in elevating the sport watch for the red carpet. Actor Sebastian Stan wore a glittering version of Cartier’s Santos—a watch originally designed in 1904 for aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Stan’s model appeared completely gold at first glance, with diamonds dotting the bezel and champagne-colored dial. But beneath the surface was a stainless steel case, a nod to the watch’s historic roots. The fusion of flashy and functional created a piece that felt as timeless as it was bold.
Michelle Yeoh also made a statement with her Richard Mille RM 07-01. Known for its futuristic design and technical prowess, the watch was transformed with a liberal dose of diamonds, turning it into a sparkling showpiece that still maintained the brand’s signature sportiness.
What these watches have in common is a new approach to red-carpet accessorizing. No longer afterthoughts, watches are now key elements of a celebrity’s ensemble. Some stars even modify their clothing—shortening shirt cuffs or adjusting jacket sleeves—to ensure their timepiece is fully visible. While sponsorship deals may drive some of this behavior, the level of personal investment in watch choice has undeniably increased.
These new red-carpet timepieces combine the elegance of traditional dress watches, the toughness of sports models, and the extravagance of high jewelry. In doing so, they reflect a broader shift in the watch world—one where craftsmanship, history, and style come together not just for utility or status, but for spectacle. As the industry adapts to changing tastes, it seems the most coveted watches are no longer designed just for collectors or astronauts, but for their close-up under Hollywood’s brightest lights.
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