Prop watches in the Movies.

[894tom]

I was watching Wild Hogs last night and noticed all the actors in the movie are sporting expensive watches. At the end of the movie, the bad guy tells all the guys to lose thier watches...wow, even the actors were sweating those nice watches. Are these prop or wardrobe watches all real or are they replica's? Martin Lawrence is sporting the ole Pam. What other movies besides Casino Royal have this kind of gratutitous wrist watch displays in them?

[Corgi]

Since budgets for these hollywood flicks is usually in the millions, I wouldn't be surprised if they could afford to write watches into their wardrobe costs. However, I do recall several films (Charly Angel's I believe) where a very obviously fake Rolex Daytona was seen in close-up.

The majority of films/shows I've seen however, the expensive watches are real. I'm pretty sure they can afford it. Even "Tim the tool man taylor" on "Home Improvement" and several characters on "George Lopez Show" wear Rolex.

[jfreeman420]

I have seen quite a few movies with replica watches. Leaving Las Vegas where Nicolas Cage pawns his Daytona for $500. That was a fake. I have seen a few with close ups to show the time where they were really bad fakes and even once where the second hand was ticking on a Rolex President.

This weekend I saw a show about a murder in vegas. They reenacted the part where one of the killers pawned the victims watch. Close up on the watch revealed a two tone day date on a leather strap. Obvious fake.

Nowadays there are a lot of actors who are collectors and many of them wear their own watches on TV.

[freddy333]

My all time fav is this 'Daytona' close-up from Kill Bill

[Victoria]

I have seen quite a few movies with replica watches. Leaving Las Vegas where Nicolas Cage pawns his Daytona for $500. That was a fake. I have seen a few with close ups to show the time where they were really bad fakes and even once where the second hand was ticking on a Rolex President.

This weekend I saw a show about a murder in vegas. They reenacted the part where one of the killers pawned the victims watch. Close up on the watch revealed a two tone day date on a leather strap. Obvious fake.

Nowadays there are a lot of actors who are collectors and many of them wear their own watches on TV.

Good take on it, Jfreeman.

I think like many people, that actors today use their own watches for films.

When "glamour" films like Ocean's 13 come out, I have no doubt they use their own watches (save for Pacino's Tiffany special), but when it's an action movie, I suspect they get props to get them reps of their watches.

Who in their right minds would throw down a pricey watch through a well, even with an unlimited budget? Even in Waterworld.

OTOH, they do torch pricey cars all the time, don't they. I still pine for that 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California in Ferris Bueller.

[jfreeman420]

Almost forgot about that shot from Kill Bill. Somehow i think Quentin is a bit more sly than we give him credit for. Is it possible he used such a horrible fake on purpose to add to the surrealistic feel of the film? It fits well if you ask me.

Ferris Bueller, now that brings back memories. Damn I'm getting old.

[Daytona4me]

You can believe me on this or not,,it sounds far fetched but it did happen..

I was at the Bellagio in Las Vegas while they were filming Oceans 11. I got to meet Andy Garcia between scenes

he had walked over near me (they have the filming area taped off) he was talking to some in the crowd and I noticed what appeared to be a solid gold Piaget. I said "man, that's a sharp watch" he basically said that it is just a prop (I didnt ask him if it is your standard replica) I did ask him if he gets to wear his own watch and he responded that it depends on the film. If he is dressed casual and there is no specific reason why he cant wear a watch he will wear his, but if it's a dressy scene, they make actors wear a specific piece picked out by wardrobe supervisor.

They were filming at 2am. I was able to see Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia but not Brad Pitt or the other main actors.

It was really neat to meet him and to be able to talk with such a crowd watching.

[Xyphis]

OTOH, they do torch pricey cars all the time, don't they. I still pine for that 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California in Ferris Bueller.

Funny you should mention this:

IT'S A FAKE!

The movie car, a "Classic GT250" replica kit by defunct coachbuilder Modena Design, used a small-block Ford V8 in a custom tube chassis.

Did I hear "replica"?

[Victoria]

You can believe me on this or not,,it sounds far fetched but it did happen..

I was at the Bellagio in Las Vegas while they were filming Oceans 11. I got to meet Andy Garcia between scenes

he had walked over near me (they have the filming area taped off) he was talking to some in the crowd and I noticed what appeared to be a solid gold Piaget. I said "man, that's a sharp watch" he basically said that it is just a prop (I didnt ask him if it is your standard replica) I did ask him if he gets to wear his own watch and he responded that it depends on the film. If he is dressed casual and there is no specific reason why he cant wear a watch he will wear his, but if it's a dressy scene, they make actors wear a specific piece picked out by wardrobe supervisor.

They were filming at 2am. I was able to see Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia but not Brad Pitt or the other main actors.

It was really neat to meet him and to be able to talk with such a crowd watching.

That's VERY cool, D4me. Especially since one of our members works in a Vegas hotel, and I'm sure gets to see actors shooting films all the time.

Piaget? I have to rewatch Oceans 11 again!

[Victoria]

Funny you should mention this:

IT'S A FAKE!

The movie car, a "Classic GT250" replica kit by defunct coachbuilder Modena Design, used a small-block Ford V8 in a custom tube chassis.

Did I hear "replica"?

Yes, I myself knew it was a Ferrari and there was a "California" somewhere in the title. Not being a car nut, I Wikied just before posting and saw it wasn't a real Ferrari.

But though that was a replica, I've seen enough films where genuine, very very pricey cars are destroyed, so the general idea stands, I think.

[Victoria]

Ferris Bueller, now that brings back memories. Damn I'm getting old.

Ahh, the 80s. The heydey of the awesome teen flick.

One more point about watch props in film:

As D4Me revealed, watches are provided to them by the Props Dept. But I still doubt all watches are. This becomes evident when you see an actor wear a particular watch not just after the film (where you can surmise the actor asked to keep it, or was given it as a memento, as sometimes happens with costumery and actresses), but BEFORE the film: when it's part of their own personal, day-to-day wear.

This was true of Jude Law and his Big Pilot in Breaking and Entering, as well as Mark Wahlberg and his watch (I forget) in The Departed.

There are many other examples where you see a regular watch in that actors' collection being worn on screen, so it can't always be that it's the Props Dept.

[Pugwash]

A large amount of watches in movies are from the actor's personal collection. Take Leonardo's Breitling in Blood Diamond, for instance. If that had been a prop, they'd have used a model that was on the market the time the movie was set in. In other cases, the watches are provided by a sponsor, like Bond's Omegas or the IWCs in Miami Vice. In the remaining cases, the watches are provided by the props department or someone on set (as per Bond's first Rolex coming off the wrist of Cubby Broccoli himself as Rolex wouldn't provide a watch) and some of the prop watches (Keifer's Sub in 24's first season, before he got a sponsored watch) are indeed replicas.

You can see the perfect example of a prop in this scene from CSI:

click to play

[eddhead]

A large amount of watches in movies are from the actor's personal collection. Take Leonardo's Breitling in Blood Diamond, for instance. If that had been a prop, they'd have used a model that was on the market the time the movie was set in. In other cases, the watches are provided by a sponsor, like Bond's Omegas or the IWCs in Miami Vice. In the remaining cases, the watches are provided by the props department or someone on set (as per Bond's first Rolex coming off the wrist of Cubby Broccoli himself as Rolex wouldn't provide a watch) and some of the prop watches (Keifer's Sub in 24's first season, before he got a sponsored watch) are indeed replicas.

You can see the perfect example of a prop in this scene from CSI:

click to play

Took the words right out of my keyboard so to speak...

Don't you think Omega paid the producers of James Bond a hefty some to have Dan Craig prominantly display thier products during this high-profile movie? And don't you think the publicity was worth it... think about the countless millions world-wide who viewed the film and now associate James Bond with Omega. That is priceless publicity.

And it happens all the time with brands like BMW, Grey Goose, Beer brands... next time you are at a movie, pay attention to the products the actors use, and make a note as to wheater or not the brand label is displayed. If so, that constitutes a subliminal advertisement and I guarantee you someone paid handsomely for the privlege.

[jfreeman420]

"NO ticks, it's genuine" I wonder how long it took them to find an automatic knock off for the scene complete with nasty sticker with the model number for a datejust? Very fitting for CSI to use such a bad fake seeing that the acting and screen writing is horrible as well. In 40 or 50 years of making cop shows you would figure someone would come up with one that doesn't suck.

As for the cars, I know the original Miami Vice blew up many genuine Ferrari's, but I have also caught a glimpse of some really bad fake Rolex Presidents in the series as well.

[Pugwash]

As for the cars, I know the original Miami Vice blew up many genuine Ferrari's.

Not at first as the 365GT Daytona in the first and second series was a Chevvy with a body kit. The blown-up Ferraris were the replicas that Enzo Ferrari ordered destroyed in return for some genuine Ferraris.

[llsteve80]

You can believe me on this or not,,it sounds far fetched but it did happen.. ....

I believe it and it's pretty cool. Too bad you didn't see Brad Pitt, it looked like he had a solid gold submariner on in that movie.

My favorite show, Lost, is abound with Rolexes. Jin had a Daytona that the gave to Michael in season 1, and I've seen the supporting actors wearing them as well. I suppose the supporting actors are just wearing their own, and I never did a freeze frame on Jin's.

[keith_bran]

"No ticks - it's authentic"

Brilliant

[redroom]

My all time fav is this 'Daytona' close-up from Kill Bill

Ok, not to hijack the thread but can you tell me what is so obviously fake about this Daytona? I'd like to learn the tell-tale signs (or was it a quartz movement ?)

[takashi]

Ok, not to hijack the thread but can you tell me what is so obviously fake about this Daytona? I'd like to learn the tell-tale signs (or was it a quartz movement ?)

Please look on the subdials... They aren't supposed to have 24 hours, date and day function. Should be a working chronograph movement.

[redroom]

Ok, not to hijack the thread but can you tell me what is so obviously fake about this Daytona? I'd like to learn the tell-tale signs (or was it a quartz movement ?)

By the way, here is a still of the Daytona in Lost.

So is it a fake?

[POTR]

Not only is it fake, it's a rather nasty looking fake.

I really like the HUGE Units Per Hour on the rotating bezel and the complete lack of center sweep seconds hand... the brassy looking gold plate really accentuates the wokkiness of the rehaut as well...

the dial is surprisingly good save the same brassiness to the slightly too-wide spaced sub dials...

[socom]

By the way, here is a still of the Daytona in Lost.

So is it a fake?

It is even missing the center seconds hand

[FxrAndy]

The Product placement in Casino Royal was all over the place from the deliberate "Rolex? No Omega!" to the phones and even the ford focus, it was all branding, ace film though. Next time you watch it try to count all the brand names that are used promenently, i keep loosing count!

[Rxus]

The name branding in Casino Royale made me sick :yucky: ..but i thought the movie was ok.

I guess i'll never get used to a half balding 007

[The Mentalist]

The Product placement in Casino Royal was all over the place from the deliberate "Rolex? No Omega!" to the phones and even the ford focus, it was all branding, ace film though. Next time you watch it try to count all the brand names that are used promenently, i keep loosing count!

It wouldn't be Bond if it wasn't like this. Even Fleming's original books were full of overt brand 'namedrops'.

Quick note on the Miami Vice Daytonas. They were Corvettes with a Daytona kit converted by Tom McBurnie but a genuine Daytona Spyder GTS/4 was actually used in one scene from the pilot (the scene where Crockett was sitting in the car waiting for Leon outside the chicken joint before 'slapping barbeque all over his upholstery'). Several of the cars were spotted by Michael Mann at an auction after being seized by the Feds from auto importer Al Mardikian. The cars got so much attention that Enzo Ferrari clamped down on Daytona replicas and insisted that Universal remove the fake Daytona in exchange for a couple of real Testarossa's. Hence at the end of season 2 the Daytona was blown up by Liam Neeson and the White (originally black) Testarossa was unveiled as Corckett's new wheels. Ironically, for most of the action sequences the real testarossa was replaced with a replica stunt car based on a De Tomaso Pantera.