"Actor's Watch" focuses on watches worn by actors in movies, television, etc.
In this 22nd installment, we will take a look at the watch worn by the great actor Denzel Washington .
*Source: https://www.reddit.com/
Denzel Washington became the second African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his starring role in Training Day in 2002, after Sidney Poitier in 1963. He is one of Hollywood's leading stars, able to play a wide range of roles, from a tough and responsible soldier to a slum drug dealer.
In addition, his eldest son , John David Washington, played the lead role in the sci-fi blockbuster "Tenet" released in 2020. What kind of watch does Denzel Washington, the head of a "family of actors" with both father and son playing leading roles in Hollywood blockbusters, wear in the film?
Let's take a quick look.
Courage Under Fire
COURAGE UNDER FIRE (1996)
During the Gulf War, Lt. Col. Serling (Denzel Washington) accidentally kills a fellow soldier. Fearing that the problem will be discovered, the higher-ups attempt to cover it up by reporting that the death was caused by an Iraqi attack. Deprived of a chance for redemption, Lt. Col. Serling grows increasingly distrustful of the military. He is ordered to investigate the death of Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) , the first woman nominated for the Medal of Honor, who was killed in action during the Gulf War. However, there are many contradictions in the testimony of her subordinates and witnesses...
*Source: https://www.rolexmagazine.com/
*Source: https://www.rolexmagazine.com/
In this film, which depicts the "unreasonableness of war" where even the cause of death is decided by the intentions of the higher-ups, Denzel Washington wears a Rolex Submariner . It is a simple and sturdy choice that represents the honesty of Lt. Colonel Serling, who values honor and fights against the unreasonableness of the war despite his anguish.
Marshall Law
THE SIEGE (1998)
"Marshall Law" is a political suspense film depicting New York under martial law after a terrorist bombing. It depicts a "state of emergency" that is said to have predicted the 9/11 terrorist attacks , and poses difficult questions to the viewer, such as whether human rights or suppression should be prioritized in the face of a threat.
*Source: https://mubi.com/
Denzel Washington, who plays Anthony Hubbard, an FBI agent pursuing terrorists in this film, wears a Casio G-SHOCK DW-5700 . This round model is nicknamed "Sting" after the musician Sting, who used it frequently.
*Source: https://casiofanmag.com/
In the movie, he wears it with a shirt and tie, but thanks to the round shape of the DW-5700 , it doesn't feel out of place. The bulky square shape of the DW-5600 probably wouldn't have given it that natural look. It's clear that even with G-SHOCK, different models can be worn in a variety of different ways.
American Gangster
AMERICAN GANGSTER (2007)
"American Gangster" is a true-crime suspense film that depicts the battle between Frank (Denzel Washington) , a gang boss who is growing his influence in the drug business in the late 1960s, and Richie (Russell Crowe) , a straight-laced detective in the New York Police Department, where collusion with gangs and corruption are rampant.
*Source: https://www.digital-tv.co.uk/
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is worn by Frank, a fallen mafia driver turned drug dealer. It's a dressy and grown-up choice for a sophisticated gangster in a well-tailored suit. If it was stainless steel or white gold, it would be too elegant, but the yellow gold gives it a gangster-like vibe.
*Source: https://www.montres-de-luxe.com/
By the way, rapper Jay-Z 's album "American Gangster" was inspired by this movie. As with Al Pacino's "Scarface" that I introduced before, I'd like to say, "You guys, drug dealers! Don't you love rags-to-riches movies too much!?" (laughs)
*Source: https://www.reddit.com/
Equalizer
THE EQUALIZER (2014)
The true identity of the book-loving old man who works at a home improvement store is a former CIA agent who can take down any opponent in "19 seconds" ! Denzel Washington plays McCall, a store clerk who uses barbed wire, pruning shears, burners, drills, and other tools in the home improvement store to take down bad guys one after another. It's amazing to watch him take down bad guys one after another in "19 seconds" just as he simulated it in his head.
*Source: https://www.tampabay.com/
The stopwatch used to measure the self-imposed time limit of 19 seconds is Suunto's outdoor watch, the CORE ALL BLACK . Suunto , a Finnish compass manufacturer with over 80 years of history, is now known as a leading manufacturer of outdoor watches.
*Source: https://www.watch-id.com/
To impress the seconds displayed in the film , "0:19.XX," digital is better than analog. Because Suunto watches maintain high visibility in any environment, the seconds displayed on the screen are clear and crisp, and it is obvious to everyone that the enemy was defeated in "19 seconds." But why does it have to be "19 seconds"? No one knows.
summary
How was that?
Looking at it this way, it seems that the characters played by Denzel Washington have the image of "men who diligently follow the norms, rules, and obsessions that they impose on themselves," and that he chose a watch as a prop to express this .
A wristwatch truly reflects a person's character and personality.
On the other hand, the choice of watch can change the image others have of you . In other words, choosing a watch that is 180 degrees different from your usual image can change the impression you make and create an unexpected feeling, which is one of the joys of watches.
Why not try changing your watch and experience the feeling of being a chameleon actor who can change his appearance with ease?
see you!