The Watches of Succession - What Does the Roy Family Wear on HBO's hit show?
This article is continually updated. It was most recently updated on April 16, 2023 (Season 4, Episode 4).
On Sunday, October 17, HBO will premiere the 3rd season of their hit show Succession. The series follows the complicated and dysfunctional familial and business dynamics of Roy family. The show revolves around Logan Roy, the patriarch of the Roy family and the aging head of Waystar Royco (the family is loosely based on the Murdochs and Waystar Royco, thus, is a stand-in for News Corp.). Logan’s children Kendall, Roman, and Siobhan (no, I’m not forgetting about Connor) vie not only for their father’s attention, but the chance to take up the mantle as the next CEO of Waystar Royco.
The show is incredibly entertaining and well-acted, and somehow you end up rooting for many not very likable characters (but not Cousin Greg, we all love Cousin Greg). But you must be thinking that a show about an incredibly wealthy dynastic family business must include some really nice watches? Well you would be correct. I will go through some of the watches worn by the Logan, Kendall, Roman, Siobhan, and even Tom Wambsgans.
What watch does Logan Roy wear?
Logan Roy (Bryan Cox) is the founder and CEO of the media conglomerate Waystar Royco and the patriarch of the Roy family. Logan’s humble upbringing drove him to become the no-nonsense, cutthroat multi-billionaire businessman.
Even though Logan is seen wearing a couple of different watches throughout the first two seasons of Succession, the identification has been difficult. At one point, he can be seeing what is clearly a pilot’s watch with white dial, due to the diamond crown. Not many brands make watches with this style crown, but IWC does. I am not at all confident in this identification, but I think it is possible that Logan is wearing an IWC Big Pilot Big Date Edition “150 Years”. This is the closest watch I could find, but am not 100% confident in the identification.
In addition, Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen), Logan’s son-in-law who is constantly trying to win Logan’s affection, gifts Logan a Patek Philippe (in the Pilot episode). This expensive watch means nothing to Logan (and we do not see the exact watch. Indeed, Logan doesn’t seem to even want the gift. Tom even tells Logan in a cringeworthy exchange that the watch is incredibly accurate and that “every time you look at it it tells you exactly how rich you are.” The watch means so little to Logan that, at the end of the episode, the watch ends up being used as a payment (bribe?) to a working class family for signing an NDA promising not to speak publicly about Roman Roy’s obnoxious antics during the family softball game.
What watch does Kendall Roy wear?
Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) is the second eldest child of Logan Roy and initially expected to be Logan’s successor as CEO of Waystar Royco. Though he is intelligent and has a handle on Waystar Royco’s businesses, Kendall’s past substance abuse issues and his meekness left his father unsure whether he was fit to be CEO.
Kendall’s wristgame is incredibly strong as he is seen throughout Succession wearing many different beautiful pieces. His collect includes the now discontinued Gerald Genta grail, the steel Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711.
We have also seen Kendall wearing the more unique Vacheron Constantin limited edition (of 260 pieces) Harmony Mono-Pusher Chronograph. The watch features a a rose gold case and chronograph functionality. There is only one crown/pusher on the watch that controls both setting the time and the chronograph.
Kendall was seen wearing his most expensive watch yet during Season 4, Episode 4. He was wearing a custom Richard Mille during the episode. Strong was actually sent the watch by the brand specially for the show so we don’t know more about the model. More details as they become available.
What watch does Roman Roy wear?
Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) is Logan’s youngest son. Initially not part of Waystar Royco, Roman exudes a brashness and cockiness that his brother Kendall lacks. However, this brashness comes with an immaturity and lack of corporate knowledge that keeps him from becoming the frontrunner to become the new CEO.
Despite his boisterousness, Roman actually wears a fairly understated wristwatch. He wears a simple Rolex Datejust on oyster bracelet with smooth bezel (surprisingly, with no embellishments like a jubilee bracelet or fluted bezel).
During Season 4, Episode 4, Roman was seen wearing a watch other than his standard Datejust. This time it was another understated, yet classic piece. Roman can be seen wearing the 36mm IWC Pilot’s Watch with blue sunray dial (Ref. IW324008). Unlike his older brother, Roman is known for wearing less ostentatious pieces. And if you are buying pilot watch, there is no better choice than an IWC. The 36mm IWC Pilot’s Watch retails for $4,350 USD.
What watch does Siobhan Roy wear?
Siobhan “Shiv” Roy (Sarah Snook) is the youngest child of Logan Roy. With a background in politics, Logan convinces Shiv to move back to the family business. Shiv possesses some natural leadership qualities that her brothers lack, but it remains unclear if that is enough for her father to choose her as his successor.
Shiv is seen multiple times in the show wearing a quartz Cartier Panthère, one in gold and one in steel.
What watch does Tom Wambsgans wear?
Tom Wambsgans is Shiv’s fiance and eventual husband. He too works as an executive at Waystar Royco and has aspirations to become the eventual CEO (with Shiv’s on again off again support). Tom is constantly seeking the approval of Logan.
Tom is spotted wearing multiple high end watches as well, though not as expensive as that watches that, for example Kendall, wears. In the first epsiode, when he is giving Logan the Patek Philippe, Tom can be spotted wearing a Panerai Luminor Marina.
In later episodes, Tom is spotted wearing one of my personal favorites, the Cartier Santos. This classic piece is very versatile and can be dressed up or down.
It looks like taking Logan Roy’s side really does pay. In the season 4, episode 1 (the final season of Succession), Tom is seen wearing his nicest watch to date. Throughout the episode he is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26331ST with black dial and white subdials. This 41mm piece is no longer made in this exact configuration, but currently sells on the secondary market for around $50,000 USD.
What watch does Cousin Greg wear?
Greg Hirsch, aka Cousin Greg, played by Nicholas Braun, is perhaps the clumsiest but most lovable power player in Logan Roy’s inner circle. The grandson of Logan’s brother Ewan, Greg quickly ascended Waystar Royco’s ranks, not because of his inherent skills, but because of his closeness to the Roy family, especially Tom Wambsgans.
I actually could not find a photo of Greg wearing a watch. Perhaps in season 3, as he becomes more important to the business, he will be seen wearing something. Instead I found a photo of Nicholas Braun, who will always be Cousin Greg in my heart, wearing a Rolex Datejust with oyster bracelet and fluted bezel.
Season 3 of Succession premieres on HBO this Sunday (10/17). I’m sure there will be some additional watchspotting to do after the season is over.
Update: October 31, 2021
We finally see Cousin Greg wearing a watch in Season 3, Episode 3. In hilarious Greg fashion, he thinks Kendall is gifting him an expensive watch and spends much of the episode talking about it. However, he finally finds out that Kendall is just “hooking him up” with his grey market dealer. Greg tries to return the watch before making payment but we still see him wearing the watch later, so perhaps he paid the $40,000 USD being asked.
Looking at the evidence, I am fairly confident that Cousin Greg bought a Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller. You can see the Rolex type indices and bracelet clearly on the watch. The thicker lugs also make us think it is a Deepsea as opposed to a Submariner or standard Sea-Dweller. The Deepsea is Rolex’s largest offering with a case size of 44mm. This makes sense for someone of Cousin Greg’s 6’ 7” height. While all Rolexes are selling at a premium, the Deepsea is only selling for between $15,000 and $20,000 USD. The watch dealer’s request for $40,000 is either an exaggeration for the show’s purposes, or Greg is getting taken for a ride. Either way, as Greg says, he will no longer have to be self-conscious about his wrists.
For a more In-Depth analysis of Succession’s Watches, check out our podcast below: