Watches Worn in Marty Supreme
Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme became one of the biggest films of 2025, earning over $200 million worldwide and a Golden Globe for star Timothee Chalamet. Set in 1950s New York City, the A24 sports drama follows table tennis champion Marty Mauser (based on real-life player Marty Reisman) as he hustles his way to the top.
The film's costumes, from wide-legged trousers to printed ties, have already influenced street fashion. But for watch enthusiasts, the real story is what Chalamet wears on his wrist, both in the film and on the press tour.
Here is everything watch lovers need to know about the timepieces in and around Marty Supreme.
The Watch Worn in the Film
Set in the 1950s, Marty Supreme required a period-appropriate timepiece for its lead character. The production team took the choice seriously.
The Elgin from 1951
Chalamet's character wears an Elgin watch from approximately 1949–1951, likely Reference 6728A. The Elgin Watch Company was a major American watch manufacturer founded in 1864, making it a natural fit for a character living in mid-century New York.
- Tonneau-shaped case in 10-carat gold fill
- Scalloped sides with a slim leather strap
- Manually wound movement with curvy Arabic numerals
- Squared-off seconds subdial at 6 o'clock
- DuraPower logo on the dial (a feature introduced in 1946)
Why Elgin Was the Right Choice
Elgin watches were accessible, American-made timepieces that a working-class New Yorker could afford. The brand produced military watches during World War II and remained popular through the 1950s. For a character like Marty Mauser, who was scrappy and ambitious but not wealthy, an Elgin fits perfectly. A Patek Philippe or Rolex would have been wrong for the character's social position early in the story.
The Reisman Rolex Connection
The real Marty Reisman was known for smuggling goods during his international travels. One story describes him returning to New York "wearing two dozen Rolex watches under his sleeves." The film may show Reisman upgrading to a Rolex later in the story, but the starting-point Elgin grounds the character in a believable American working-class world.
Chalamet's Press Tour Watches
Off screen, Chalamet has become one of the most interesting watch spotters in Hollywood. His press tour for Marty Supreme revealed a taste for rare, independent watchmakers that sent the horology world into a frenzy.
Urban Jurgensen UJ-1 and UJ-2
Chalamet debuted an Urban Jurgensen UJ-1 in rose gold at the New York premiere of Marty Supreme. He followed it with the UJ-2 in platinum at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Actor Awards. Urban Jurgensen is a Danish-Swiss brand founded in 1773 that produces watches almost entirely by hand, with each piece requiring roughly 565 hours of work.
- The UJ-2 features a 39mm platinum case with hand-wound movement
- Silver guilloché dial with blued hands
- Off-center hours and minutes with power reserve indicator at 12
- Retail price around $130,000
Simon Brette Chronometre Artisans
On Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, Chalamet wore a Chronometre Artisans by Simon Brette, one of the most exciting young independent watchmakers working today. Brette won the Horological Revelation Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (considered the Oscars of watchmaking) for his emphasis on hand-craftsmanship.
Kevin O'Leary's Red Carpet Choices
Co-star Kevin O'Leary, who plays Milton Rockwell in the film, is a well-known watch collector in real life. At the Golden Globes, O'Leary wore two watches simultaneously: an F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance (valued between $500,000 and $900,000) and a Cartier Tank Asymetrique Skeleton, both on red straps matching his character's energy.
What Marty Supreme Reveals About Watch Culture
The contrast between Chalamet's on-screen Elgin and his off-screen Urban Jurgensen tells a story about how watch culture has evolved.
Authenticity Over Brand Names
Chalamet could wear any watch in the world. Major brands would pay for the placement. Instead, he chose niche independents that most people have never heard of. The choice signals a shift in celebrity watch culture away from obvious luxury toward genuine connoisseurship.
American Watchmaking Heritage
The Elgin worn in the film represents a proud chapter of American watchmaking history. Companies like Elgin, Waltham, and Hamilton once made the United States a global watchmaking power. While those original companies are gone, their spirit lives on in modern American watchmakers and DIY watchmaking kits that teach the same fundamental skills.
Vintage Watches as Character Statements
The production team's decision to put an Elgin on Chalamet's wrist shows how carefully watches are selected for film. A vintage watch instantly communicates era, social class, and personality. Building a vintage-inspired watch at home captures that same storytelling power.
Building a 1950s-Inspired Watch Today
The mid-century aesthetic of Marty Supreme translates beautifully into modern watch builds.
Gold-Toned Cases and Leather Straps
Warm gold tones on stainless steel cases paired with brown or blue leather straps nail the 1950s look. A hand-wound mechanical movement underneath completes the period-authentic experience, since automatic winding was not yet universal in the early 1950s.
Clean Dials with Small Seconds
The Elgin in the film features a clean dial with a small seconds subdial, a quintessential mid-century design element. Watchmaking kits with similar clean dial designs and exhibition case backs combine vintage aesthetics with the modern satisfaction of seeing the movement work.
Conclusion
Marty Supreme is a goldmine for watch enthusiasts, from the period-perfect Elgin in the film to Chalamet's stunning independent choices on the press tour. The film celebrates an era when mechanical watches were simply part of daily life. Rotate Watches carries that same spirit forward through DIY watchmaking kits and watch movement kits that let you build a mechanical watch from scratch, connecting you to the same tradition that put an Elgin on Marty Reisman's wrist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What watch does Timothee Chalamet wear in Marty Supreme?
Chalamet wears a vintage Elgin from approximately 1949–1951 (likely Reference 6728A), a manually wound American-made watch with a gold-filled tonneau case and slim leather strap.
What watch did Chalamet wear to the Golden Globes 2026?
Chalamet wore an Urban Jurgensen UJ-2 in platinum, a rare independent watch priced around $130,000 from a Danish-Swiss brand founded in 1773. Each watch requires approximately 565 hours of handwork.
Is the Elgin Watch Company still in business?
No. The original Elgin National Watch Company ceased production in 1968. Vintage Elgins are now collected as examples of American watchmaking heritage.
What watch did Kevin O'Leary wear for Marty Supreme events?
O'Leary wore an F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance and a Cartier Tank Asymetrique Skeleton simultaneously at the Golden Globes, both on matching red straps.
Why did the film choose an Elgin over a more recognizable brand?
Elgin was an affordable, American-made watch brand that a working-class 1950s New Yorker would realistically own. A luxury brand would have been historically inaccurate for the character's social position.
Can I build a watch inspired by the 1950s aesthetic of Marty Supreme?
Yes. Hand-wound mechanical watch kits with clean dials, gold-toned cases, and leather straps capture the mid-century aesthetic seen in the film. No prior watchmaking experience is required.
