Watches Worn in Succession
HBO's Succession is not just a show about a billionaire family fighting over a media empire. The show is a masterclass in how watches communicate power, insecurity, and identity. The Roy family wears some of the most expensive timepieces on television, and every single choice is deliberate. Prop master Monica Jacobs selected each watch to reveal something specific about the character wearing it.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the watches spotted across all four seasons of Succession and what each one tells us.
Logan Roy: Quiet Power on the Wrist
Logan Roy, the patriarch played by Brian Cox, is worth billions. Yet his watch choices whisper luxury rather than scream it. That restraint tells you everything about the character.
Breguet Classique
Logan has been spotted wearing a Breguet Classique, one of the most refined dress watches in existence. He has also been seen with an IWC Big Pilot’s Watch with a white dial. The Breguet name dates back to 1775, and both choices reflect understated sophistication. No flashy chronographs. No oversized cases. Just pure, quiet authority.
The Patek Philippe Gift He Rejected
In the very first episode, Tom Wambsgans gifts Logan a Patek Philippe as a birthday present. Logan barely acknowledges it. The watch ends up being used as a bribe for an NDA signature. For a man as wealthy as Logan, even a Patek Philippe means nothing. That single scene establishes the show's entire power dynamic.
Kendall Roy: The Collection That Evolves
Kendall Roy, played by Jeremy Strong, has the most varied and interesting watch collection in the show. His choices shift as his character develops across all four seasons.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time
Early in the series, Kendall wears Vacheron Constantin pieces, including a Traditionnelle World Time and a Harmony Monopusher chronograph, signaling old-money taste and his desire to be seen as a serious heir. Vacheron Constantin is one of the "Holy Trinity" of Swiss watchmaking alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711
Kendall is also spotted wearing the legendary Nautilus 5711, one of the most coveted watches in the world. The wait list for this watch at retail ran over a decade, and secondary market prices peaked well above $100,000 for a stainless steel model.
Richard Mille RM 67-01 (Season 4)
In the final season, Kendall switches to a Richard Mille, a deliberate departure from traditional Swiss horology. Actor Jeremy Strong personally requested the brand. The RM 67-01 signals Kendall's desire to break from tradition and forge his own path, even as his world crumbles around him.
Roman Roy: Understated Rebel
Roman Roy, played by Kieran Culkin, is the youngest sibling and the wildcard of the family. His watch choices are surprisingly restrained for such a loud character.
Rolex Datejust
Roman wears a Rolex Datejust through most of the series. The Datejust is iconic but not ostentatious, a choice that suggests Roman does not need his watch to prove his wealth. Compared to Kendall's flashier pieces, Roman's Datejust reads as confident and unbothered.
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XX (Season 4)
In Season 4, Roman switches to an IWC Pilot's Watch with a blue dial. Prop master Jacobs explained the change as Roman "spreading his wings." The IWC is a serious watch for enthusiasts, but not a mainstream status symbol, reflecting Roman's attempt to be taken seriously on his own terms.
Shiv Roy: Cartier Loyalty
Siobhan "Shiv" Roy, played by Sarah Snook, is a committed Cartier collector throughout most of the series.
Cartier Panthere (Gold and Steel)
Shiv wears both yellow gold and steel versions of the Cartier Panthere, a quartz jewelry watch that communicates refined femininity and practical authority. The Panthere is a no-nonsense choice for a woman who means business.
Cartier Tank Francaise (Season 1)
In the first season, Shiv wears what appears to be a yellow gold Cartier Tank Francaise. The Tank is Cartier's flagship design, worn by some of the most influential people in history.
Chopard Happy Sport (Season 4)
Shiv has also been spotted wearing a Pasha de Cartier. In the final season, she breaks from Cartier entirely, appearing with a Chopard Happy Sport, a Zenith Defy Midnight, and what appears to be a Breitling Navitimer. The shift possibly reflects her emotional distance from the family and her evolving identity outside the Roy dynasty.
Tom Wambsgans: The Social Climber's Wrist
Tom, played by Matthew Macfadyen, uses watches to signal his place in the family hierarchy.
Cartier Santos
Tom initially matches his wife Shiv by wearing Cartier, specifically a Santos model. The Santos is considered Cartier's more masculine offering and shows Tom's desire to fit in with the family's aesthetic.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph (Season 4)
Tom's upgrade to an AP Royal Oak in Season 4 coincides with his betrayal of the Roy children and his rise to power. The Royal Oak is a statement watch, beloved by celebrities and sports stars, the kind of people Tom aspires to join. The upgrade signals a new era of independence from Shiv.
Cousin Greg: Out of His Depth
Cousin Greg, played by Nicholas Braun, provides one of the show's most memorable watch moments.
The $40,000 Rolex Submariner
Kendall convinces Greg to spend $40,000 on a Rolex Submariner, a significant overpayment even during peak market hype. Greg has no idea what the watch should cost, perfectly illustrating his naivety in the world of extreme wealth. Greg later says he "sold his ass for a watch," and the scene became one of the show's most quoted moments.
What Succession Teaches About Watch Culture
The watches in Succession function as character development tools and social commentary. Real power whispers (Logan's Breguet), while insecurity shouts (Kendall's shifting collection). Grasping these dynamics makes you a more thoughtful collector or builder.
Confidence Does Not Require the Most Expensive Piece
Roman's Datejust proves that a well-chosen, relatively understated watch communicates more confidence than a six-figure showpiece. A well-built mechanical watch carries its own kind of quiet authority.
Watches Mark Turning Points
Tom's upgrade from Cartier to Audemars Piguet marks a pivotal character shift. Building your own DIY watch marks a personal turning point too, the moment you go from watch wearer to someone who genuinely understands mechanical horology.
Conclusion
Succession uses watches more deliberately than almost any other show on television. Every timepiece reveals character, status, and intention. If the show has sparked your interest in mechanical watches, Rotate Watches offers watchmaking kits and movement kits that teach you the fundamentals behind every watch the Roy family wears.
Frequently Asked Questions
What watch does Kendall Roy wear in Succession?
Kendall wears several watches, including a Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time, a Vacheron Constantin Harmony Monopusher, a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, and a Richard Mille RM 67-01 in the final season.
What watch does Logan Roy wear?
Logan wears a Breguet Classique and an IWC Big Pilot’s Watch, both understated choices that reflect his quiet, commanding personality.
What is the most memorable watch moment in Succession?
Cousin Greg spending $40,000 on a Rolex Submariner after Kendall tricks him into thinking the price is normal. Greg later declares he "sold his ass for a watch."
What watch does Shiv Roy wear?
Shiv primarily wears Cartier, including the Panthere in gold and steel, a Tank Francaise, and a Pasha de Cartier. In Season 4, she switches to a Chopard Happy Sport and a Zenith Defy Midnight.
What watch does Tom Wambsgans wear?
Tom starts with a Cartier Santos and upgrades to an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in Season 4, coinciding with his rise to power.
Are the watches in Succession chosen by the actors or the production team?
Prop master Monica Jacobs selects most watches. However, Jeremy Strong personally requested a Richard Mille for Kendall in the final season. Watch consultant Danny Milton from Hodinkee also advised on timepiece choices.
