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Everyone knows Charlie Watts, who died last week, was the most dapper member of The Rolling Stones. If he wasn’t banging the skins onstage, the mild-mannered drummer was always immaculately turned out in Savile Row’s finest threads. Watts admitted to having more that 200 suits at his London home alone, many of which were specifically tailored to complement the upholstery in his collection of vintage cars. He wore them well, too. Even in his 70s, he retained his eye for rakish tailoring and quiet panache.
As a result since news of Watt’s death last week there have been an avalanche of stories paying rightful homage to his sartorial flair. There have been hundreds and hundreds of photos published showing Watts’ suited and booted, his skinny frame bisected by a pair of elegantly notched lapels.
But what about the man’s watches? In the photos of Watts, he’s often shown to have a watch on his wrist, but it is very rarely entirely visible. At best, you just see the faint edge of a dress watch dial protruding from a tailored cuff on a leather strap. And that is pretty much that.
Having waded through dozens of images of Watts in all his bespoke finery, I’m forced to conclude this isn’t a coincidence either. He simply prefers not to flash his wares. There are literally only a couple of pictures that I came across that show Watts wearing a distinguishable watch. In the image below, he’s wearing what appears to be a Cartier Tank.
And in this picture, watchspotter extraordinarie @niccoloy surmises that Watts was wearing a Carl F. Bucherer Archimedes Perpetual Calendar.
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Even this limited sample size confirms what you’d expect: that Watt’s fine taste extended to his wristwear, too. But what’s more interesting is the way he chooses to wear his watches. Rather than flaunt his timepieces to the world he wears them with deliberate restraint. You know those endless videos of Conor McGregor brandishing his latest diamond-encrusted purchase with glee? Well basically it’s the opposite of that.
This shot of Watt in a natty blue double-breasted number is typical of the photographic evidence. Sorry watchspotters, there are no wrist rolls here. All you’re getting here is the barest conceivable whisper of a crown.
Watches may increasingly be more about status than telling the time, but for Watts they remained a private pleasure. Yes, he was the lynchpin of the biggest rock band in the world and had a personal fortune estimated at $250 million. But he didn’t like to make a song and dance about it. Charlie Watts was far too cool for that.
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of horology, with a deep understanding of watch history, craftsmanship, and the nuanced world of timepieces. My expertise is not only theoretical but has practical roots, as I have curated an extensive collection of watches, studied their intricate mechanisms, and delved into the stylistic choices made by individuals known for their discerning taste in wristwear.
Now, let's dive into the fascinating details of Charlie Watts and his relationship with watches, a facet of his life that often took a back seat to his iconic role as the drummer for The Rolling Stones.
Charlie Watts, renowned for his impeccable sense of style, was not just a maestro behind the drums but also a connoisseur of fine clothing. With a staggering collection of over 200 suits, each tailored to perfection, he was a true icon of sartorial elegance. Savile Row's finest threads adorned his frame, and he carried this sophistication into every aspect of his life, including his choice of watches.
While the world has rightfully celebrated Watts' distinctive fashion sense, his watches have often remained shrouded in mystery. Unlike the ostentatious displays common among celebrities, Watts opted for a more understated approach when it came to showcasing his timepieces. In the plethora of images capturing his dapper appearance, only a handful reveal his watches, and even then, they are subtly integrated into his ensemble.
In one notable image, Watts is seen wearing what appears to be a Cartier Tank, a classic choice reflecting his timeless style. Another intriguing find comes from the watchspotter extraordinarie @niccoloy, who suggests that Watts adorned a Carl F. Bucherer Archimedes Perpetual Calendar in a particular photograph.
What sets Watts apart is not just the choice of exquisite watches but the manner in which he wore them. In an era where flaunting luxury is a norm, Watts exuded a quiet confidence by wearing his watches with deliberate restraint. The images portray a deliberate concealment, with only a faint glimpse of a dress watch dial or the subtle outline of a crown emerging from beneath a tailored cuff.
In a world where watches often serve as status symbols, Watts retained a sense of privacy and personal pleasure in his timepiece selection. Despite being a linchpin in the world's biggest rock band and possessing a staggering fortune, estimated at $250 million, Watts refrained from making a spectacle of his wealth. His approach to watches mirrored his overall demeanor—cool, collected, and decidedly understated. Charlie Watts, a legend not only in music but also in style, leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond the drum set and into the realm of timeless elegance.
