The latest watches from "The Matrix" and "Kingsman" - Actor's Watch #49

happy new year.
We look forward to your continued patronage in 2022.
I apologize for talking about my personal matters so early in the new year, but this year again on New Year's Day I went to see two popular films (annual event).

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So, for the first "Actor's Watch" of 2022, No. 49, we would like to focus on watches from the latest installments of the popular action series , "The Matrix Resurrection" and "Kingsman: The First Agent."

Matrix Resurrections

First up is "The Matrix Resurrection," the latest installment in the blockbuster sci-fi action series " The Matrix " after 17 years. The first shocking film, "The Matrix," was released in 1999, so it's hard to believe, or rather, I don't want to believe, that it's been 23 years since then. Time flies.

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As someone who has seen the previous trilogy, "The Matrix," "The Matrix Reloaded," and "The Matrix Revolutions," all in the theater, I felt a sense of obligation to see this one in the theater as well, so I headed to the cinema no matter what.

During the first trilogy, the brother and sister directors Larry and Andy Wachowski both underwent sex changes to become sisters Lana and Lilly Wachowski , but the duo eventually disbanded. This film, The Matrix Resurrection, was written and directed solely by the older sister Lana Wachowski. Lilly Wachowski, a fan of Japanese anime and kung fu movies, left the production, and the stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss have aged, so while the visuals are just like The Matrix, they feel a bit more mature and bittersweet.

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☞Read #29 "Hollywood's proud 'good guy' Keanu Reeves' watch"

As for the all-important matter of watches, it seems the Wachowski sisters don't have much of a preference for watches, as watches have rarely appeared in their previous films.

Unfortunately, once again, there is no clearly identifiable or impressive wristwatch in this film, and the only wristwatch that can be seen is on the left arm of the psychiatric therapist (Neil Patrick Harris) who counsels Neo (Keanu Reeves).

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There are no close-up scenes, and I can't rewind the video, and even when I searched, I couldn't find any information, so I can't say for sure, but it's a watch with a large case and strap, and at first glance it looks like a Panerai , but is it really...? I'll have to wait for more information about this watch.

Kingsman: The First Agent

Next up was the latest film in the popular spy action series "Kingsman," "Kingsman: The First Agent." I had already seen the previous two films, "Kingsman" and "Kingsman: The Golden Circle," at the theater, so I headed straight for the cinema without any hesitation.

*Source: https://maactioncinema.com/

The story of the formation of Kingsman tells the story of the outbreak and end of World War I, which began with the Sarajevo incident in 1914, and the secret activities of a mysterious organization called the Dark Madness that sought to cause chaos in the world, and the brutal battle with the pacifist aristocratic Oxford family. It is a spy and war movie that is a must-see for world history fans, featuring historical figures such as the wicked monk Rasputin, Mata Hari, Lenin, and Kaiser Wilhelm II, all in action and with all sorts of schemes.

*Source: https://larepublica.pe/

In the first Kingsman film, which is set in the present day, the Kingsman agents wear Bremont , a new British watchmaker, and in the second Kingsman: The Golden Circle, they wear TAG Heuer's Connected smartwatch . However, the 1910s and 1920s, where this film is set, are still the dawn of wristwatches. Cartier released the world's first commercially available wristwatch, the Santos, in 1904, so such a modern watch would be out of place in a film that depicts the world just a dozen years later.

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☞Read #35 "New Generation Spy Hero Taron Egerton's Watch"

So, the watch chosen for "Kingsman: The First Agent" is Jaeger-LeCoultre. The limited edition "Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife (Ref. 3402393)" tied in with this film has the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo on it, but I recall that in the close-up scene where the Duke of Oxford is wearing it, the logo was not there.

*Source: https://monochrome-watches.com/

LeCoultre merged with Edmond Jaeger to become "Jaeger-LeCoultre" in 1937. Since there are no watches bearing the "Jaeger-LeCoultre" logo in the 1910s and 1920s, the setting of the story, it is possible that a version without the logo was made for use as a prop.

By the way, this wristwatch follows the design of the thin caliber pocket watch "Couteau" (French for knife) developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1907. It was named like this because the side of the case had sharp edges like a knife.

*Source: https://monochrome-watches.com/

In order to be consistent with the era in which the film is set, a pocket watch would be the correct choice, but it is a clever use of the watch design to incorporate it.

summary

How was your first Actor's Watch of 2022?

Although both are sequels to blockbuster action movies, "Kingsman: The First Agent" is the clear winner when it comes to attention to watches. Even so, it's extremely difficult to concentrate on the story at the cinema and check your watch at the same time. Thank you to Matthew Vaughn, the director of "Kingsman: The First Agent," for showing us his watch in close-up!

So, this year too I plan to watch as many movies as possible in search of a memorable watch.

see you!