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The action blockbuster "Twilight Warriors: Battle! Kowloon Walled City" (2024) depicts the battle between the kind-hearted outlaws living in Kowloon Walled City, one of Hong Kong's most notorious slums, and the Hong Kong mafia trying to take Kowloon Walled City for themselves. When it was released in Hong Kong last year, it earned the highest box office revenue of any film of all time, and in Japan, where it was released on January 17, 2025, the Shinjuku Wald 9 movie theater was fully booked every day, pamphlets were sold out, and it became a premium item, becoming a hot topic among Hong Kong movie fans.
The lead role of this film, the most powerful barber in Kowloon Walled City, "Long Gyun Fung", is played by Louis Koo, a leading figure in the Hong Kong film industry. Using his attractive looks as a former model, he began his career as an actor in the 1990s, and in the 2000s he starred in a series of films directed by Johnnie To, a master of Hong Kong cinema. He rose to become an undisputed national star, known to everyone in Hong Kong.
"Actor's Watch" focuses on the watches worn by actors active in the movies and on TV. In this 209th issue, we will be introducing the watches worn by Louis Koo.
Chopard
Alpine Eagle [Ref.298600-3022]
The premiere screening of "The Twilight Warriors" was held at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. The watch worn by Louis Koo at the premiere was a Chopard Alpine Eagle (Ref. 298600-3022). The pink dial peeking out from the cuffs of his chic tuxedo gave the slightly tough Louis Koo a softer impression.
In the movie, Louis Koo plays a barber who is the ultimate outlaw and the boss of Kowloon Walled City, but is also trusted and loved by all the residents. Perhaps this cute watch is a representation of that contrasting character.
Panerai
Radiomir Otto Giorni [Ref.PAM01348]
Next up is Louis Koo, who appeared in a promotional video for Panerai's new 2023 models. In the video, he wore the Panerai Radiomir Otto Giorni (Ref. PAM01348 ).
Panerai's unique "e-steel" made from recycled materials is coated with black DLC, and then each part is polished by hand. This allows the underlying e-steel to peek out, giving each watch a different look, creating a vintage feel and aging effect.
And when Louis Koo wears this watch, it also gives a sense of commonality with the job of an actor, where the same person can portray completely different characters depending on the role.
Jacob & Co.
Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon [Ref.BU200.40.AA.AA.B]
Finally, we will start with the opening event of Jacob & Co., which opened its first store in Hong Kong in January 2024.
Louis Koo was invited to the Jacob & Co. boutique that opened in the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. Photographed alongside the brand's founder Jacob Arabo (right), the watch he was wearing at the time was believed to be a Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon (Ref. BU200.40.AA.AA.B).
This is an incredible watch made in collaboration with the Bugatti Chiron, a supercar named after the racing driver Louis Chiron. The dial features a mechanism that resembles the crank of a W-type 16-cylinder engine, which performs piston movements, and the power reserve is displayed on a fuel gauge, making it a must-have for luxury car enthusiasts.
By the way, the list price of this watch is about 60 million yen. Louis Koo was offered to promote such an ultra-luxury watch. This watch clearly shows his high status as a star actor.
summary
What did you think?
When I visited Hong Kong after the COVID-19 pandemic had calmed down, I remember being surprised at how popular Louis Koo was, seeing him featured in advertisements for many companies, including food, medical products, automobiles, and finance. The luxury watch industry can't resist his popularity, either. Since multiple brands use him in their promotions almost every year, the lineup is quite diverse.
Louis Koo is a top star in the Hong Kong film industry, but he is also known as a serious otaku. When he came to Japan, he would go from toy store to toy store in search of Kamen Rider figurines, and in his starring role in Double Suspect (2016), he used a Kikaider toy as a prop. His love of special effects is deep-rooted.
That spirit is fully demonstrated in the sci-fi blockbuster "Future Wars" (2022), produced and starring Louis Koo. The film, in which he wears a powered suit and fights creatures from outer space, was a huge hit upon its release in Hong Kong and became a symbol of the recovery of the Hong Kong film industry, which had been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the handover to China, Hong Kong movies seemed to lose their power for a while, but as you can see from movies like "The Future War" and "The Twilight Warriors: Battle! Kowloon Walled City," their power is returning. There is no doubt that Louis Koo is one of the people leading the revival of Hong Kong movies. Movie fans should definitely not miss his works!
See you later!
