Watches have always been more than just tools to tell time. For many people, they’re pieces of art or reminders of memorable moments. Whether you’re a collector or appreciate a well-crafted watch, each timepiece often tells a story about its owner.
Robert Downey Jr shares this love in his unique way. While showing his watch collection, the actor once told GQ, “By the time we’ve gone through this arbitrary watch collection of mine, you’ll know as much about me as anybody on earth.” Let’s take a look at some of his favourite watches and the stories they tell.
One of his top picks is a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch he wore in Iron Man 2. “This is a Jaeger. This, I wore in Iron Man 2, and it has an open back. It’s a heck of a watch, probably my best watch,” he said. That one’s clearly special, not just a stylish accessory but a part of his Iron Man legacy.
He also owns a sporty Omega watch that he really likes. He made it clear he’s not paid to say that, it’s just genuine appreciation. That kind of honesty is refreshing in a world full of celebrity endorsements.
No watch talk would be complete without Rolex. Downey owns a sleek black Rolex he calls the “green money Rolex”, though he admits he’s not exactly sure why it’s called that. He also mentioned getting matching black Rolexes with a friend for their birthdays, which is a nice personal touch.
One of the most meaningful watches in his collection belonged to his grandfather. His grandfather had pawned the watch to open a pharmacy, but then ran into legal trouble over prescriptions. Despite all that, Downey picked up the watch and says he got it at a trifle of its original cost.
There’s a funny moment when Downey gave a watch to Ben Stiller after they wrapped Tropic Thunder. Ben thought it was too big and gave it right back, so Downey ended up keeping it. It’s a small glimpse into the playful friendship behind the scenes, between actors.
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Last but definitely not least, Downey talked about a Patek Philippe watch his wife gave him. At first, he joked, “Did you get me a Seiko? What is this? It’s my birthday.” But over time, he realised it’s an “extremely classy and desirable watch.” Plus, he didn’t want to upset her by making fun of it—probably a smart move!
