The Watches of Marvel and D.C. Comics Movies - Iron Man, Batman, Dr. Strange and More
The first modern comic book was released in 1933. Since then, comics have remained a part of our popular culture. Film adaptations of comics have become a huge money business. Prior to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and to a lesser extent the current DC Extended Universe, there were multiple iterations of Superman (Christopher Reeves and Brandon Routh), Spider-Man (Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield) and Batman (Michael Keaton, George Clooney, and Christian Bale). I think one can make the argument, however, that since the turn of the 21st century, starting with Christopher Nolan Dark Knight Trilogy, and followed by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we have experienced the Golden Age of Superhero films. Indeed, as of August 2021, the Marvel Cinematic Universe series is the highest-grossing film franchise with a total worldwide box office revenue of just under $23 billion dollars. Because of this, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at the watches of some of our favorite superheroes, or at least their non-caped alter egos.
What watch does Christian Bale’s Batman (Bruce Wayne) wear?
Prior to the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy set the bar for superhero films. The Dark Knight films, particularly The Dark Knight (2008), offered a gritty and dark take on the Caped Crusader and elevated comic book adaptions beyond genre films, achieving critical acclaim.
So what did Christian Bale wear on his wrist to portray billionaire Bruce Wayne and Batman? In Batman Begins Bruce is spotted wearing a classy Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Date 8 Days.
What watch does Ben Affleck’s Batman (Bruce Wayne) wear?
Just four years after The Dark Knight Rises Ben Affleck donned the bat suit in the DC Extended Universe’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. While Dawn of Justice and the DCEU may not have the fanbase or accolades of the MCU, Dawn of Justice did bring in $872.7 million USD.
Affleck’s Bruce Wayne did not wear a JLC, but instead an equally classy collector’s watch: a Breguet Tradition Fusee Tourbillon 7047PT in platinum. This piece comes with the hefty price-tag of $189,700 USD, fit for a billionaire like Bruce Wayne.
What watch does Doctor Strange wear?
Benedict Cumberbatch made his MCU debut as Doctor Strange in the 2016 film eponymous film. Dr. Stephen Strange was an acclaimed and arrogant neurosurgeon who severely injured his hands in a car crash, leaving him permanently unable to operate. Strange eventually goes to Kamar-Taj, where he is taken in by Mordo, a sorcerer under the Ancient One. The Ancient One demonstrates her power to Strange, revealing the and other dimensions such as the Mirror Dimension.
Doctor Strange’s powers involve different dimensions and time, so it is appropriate that he has a pretty significant watch collection. Strange can be seen going into his watch box during the film. In the box there clearly is a stainless steel Rolex Daytona 116520 with steel bezel and white dial. The red dial watch could also be either a Cartier Tank or Jaeger-LeCoulture Reverso. I think the watch is a Reverso due to the wideness of the top and bottom of the case. This is more in line with Reversos than with Tanks (which featured a thinner case).
Courtesy of Watchfinder & Co.
Doctor Strange has also been spotted wearing a Jaeger-LeCoulture Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar Ref. 130842j and retails for $22,700 USD.
What watch does Iron Man (Tony Stark) wear?
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is a billionaire industrialist and owner of Stark Industries. Stark uses his wealth and genius to create the Iron Man suit, which he dons himself. Stark is seen wearing many watches over the course of the films he appears in, including this Inspector Gadget/James Bond-esque gadget watch.
But what real watches does Stark wear? Well, quite a few cool pieces. In fact, Downey Jr. wore two different Urwerk pieces during his portrayal of Tony Stark. Downey Jr. requested the use of Urwerk watches for the films and Urwerk complied. Urwerk watches are well-known in the watch industry as highly complicated, expensive and avant-garde timepieces. A true collector’s watch. Urwerk’s watches are known to have interesting and futuristic designs.
In Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) Tony wears an Urwerk UR-110RG.
In Avengers: Endgame (2019) Tony can be seen wearing the Urwerk UR-105 CT.
What watch does Wolverine wear?
It seems like Hugh Jackman has been playing Wolverine forever. Jackman made his debut as Wolverine in the 2000 film X-Men. Although it’s a Marvel property, the X-Men and Wolverine up until now have not been a part of the MCU. Wolverine or Logan is seen in Logan (2017) wearing a unique prop watch by Red Monkey. Red Monkey also appears to have made accurate copies o this watch available for sale. You can pick one up here.
Watch Photo Courtesy of Prop Store Auction.
What watch does the Falcon (Sam Wilson) wear?
Sam Wilson, aka the Falcon (Anthony Mackie), was U.S. Air Force officer and ally of Captain America. He would become a member of the Avengers and the character would become the focal point of the MCU Disney + series The Falcon and the Winter Solder. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Wilson can be seen wearing a Humvee Field Watch. Given Wilson’s background in the military this seems like an apt choice for the character.
What watch does Nick Fury wear?
Nick Fury, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, is a spy, former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the founder of the Avengers. Fury too is spotted wearing a high-end timepiece in the film The Avengers (2012). He can be seen wearing a Piaget Polo chronograph in white gold (Ref. G0A32038). This watch retails for around $35,000 USD.
