The 98th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on 15 March 2026, closing this year’s awards season with its usual blend of cinema, fashion, and spectacle. As the world’s most-watched film ceremony honoured the best in filmmaking, the red carpet once again became a stage for impeccable personal style.
But beyond the gowns and tuxedos, another quiet competition unfolded on the wrists of actors, filmmakers, and guests.
For watch enthusiasts, the Oscars remain one of the most fascinating nights of the year. Here are some timepieces that stood out for us at the Oscars 2026.
Actor Timothee Chalamet continued his run of independent watch choices with the Urban Jurgensen UJ‑2 Platinum. The watch comes from a historic Danish watchmaker known among collectors for its refined finishing and small-scale production.
The platinum UJ-2 features a clean dial layout and meticulous hand finishing. Chalamet paired the watch with a white strap to complement his outfit for the evening. Unlike many high-profile luxury brands frequently seen on the red carpet, Urban Jurgensen remains an insider’s choice among serious collectors. Its presence at the Oscars signalled a growing appreciation for independent horology within Hollywood’s style circles.
Director Ryan Coogler arrived wearing the Cartier Tank à Guichets in platinum. Originally introduced in the 1920s, the design replaces traditional hands with a digital-style display using small apertures for the hours and minutes.
In the revived version, the jumping-hour complication displays time through two windows on the solid metal dial, giving the watch a distinctly minimalist appearance. The platinum case adds a contemporary finish to a design that remains rooted in early twentieth-century experimentation. Unlike most Tank models, which feature visible dials and Roman numerals, the Tank à Guichets feels discreet.
Award-winning actress Amy Madigan paired her Oscars victory with the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M in a two-tone steel and Moonshine gold configuration.
The Aqua Terra is known for its versatile design, featuring a clean dial inspired by yacht decks and a robust movement, built for everyday wear. In this version, the bezel and dial are adorned with diamonds, transforming the watch into a more glamorous interpretation of Omega’s maritime line. The combination of steel and Moonshine gold adds warmth while maintaining durability.
On a night defined by achievement, Madigan’s watch offered a balance between classic watchmaking and celebratory sparkle.
Best Actor nominee Leonardo DiCaprio chose understated elegance with the Rolex 1908. Crafted in platinum, the watch features an ice-blue guilloche dial, a colour combination reserved exclusively for Rolex’s platinum models.
The 1908 represents Rolex’s modern interpretation of the classic dress watch, moving away from the brand’s usual sports-watch identity. Its slim profile, refined Arabic numerals, and small-seconds display give it an appearance suited to formal occasions. On the Oscars red carpet, DiCaprio’s choice stood out for its quiet sophistication. The platinum case added weight while the textured dial offered subtle visual depth.
Entrepreneur and television personality Kevin O'Leary took a maximalist approach by wearing two watches at once. On one wrist was the Cartier Crash Skeleton, one of the most unconventional designs ever produced by Cartier.
Crash's distorted case shape, inspired by the brand’s experimental designs of the 1960s, is paired here with a skeletonised movement that reveals the mechanical architecture beneath the dial. On the other wrist, O’Leary wore a rare off-catalogue Rolex Daytona crafted in white gold. Its bezel and dial are set with baguette-cut rubies, transforming the classic racing chronograph into a statement jewellery piece. Together, the pairing highlighted two very different approaches to luxury watchmaking: avant-garde design and gemstone extravagance.
Actor Hudson Williams opted for something far removed from the typical red-carpet sports watch: the Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas. Known for its distinctive serpent-inspired design, the Serpenti remains one of the most recognisable creations from the Roman jewellery house.
This particular reference features a stainless steel case with a single-coil Tubogas bracelet that wraps fluidly around the wrist. The small watch head is set with diamonds, lending the piece a jewellery-like quality. The Serpenti has long been associated with bold style choices, and Williams’ decision to wear it stood out among the many conventional watches on the carpet.
Comedian and actor Matt Friend brought a vibrant twist to the red carpet with the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Introduced in 2025, the watch stands out for its unusual turquoise lacquer dial, a colour choice that immediately recalls the highly sought-after vintage “Stella” dials produced by Rolex in the 1970s.
The watch is housed in a yellow-gold case paired with a black Oysterflex strap, giving the Daytona a modern sporting presence. Known primarily as one of the most coveted racing chronographs in watchmaking, the Daytona rarely appears in such playful colours. On Friend’s wrist, however, the bright dial added a refreshing contrast against the formal Oscars evening.