Cover Ryan Gosling plays scientist Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary, as he wears the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 watch on his wrist
Ryan Gosling plays scientist Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary, as he wears the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 watch on his wrist
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Even within the realm of fantasy, the presence of watches loom large, anchoring tall tales to reality
It is no doubt a very amusing thing to recognise a place from a show we’ve seen or a book we’ve read. Several places in New Zealand, for instance, have become pilgrimage sites for fans of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings; a similar number of devotees have flocked to Salzburg for The Sound of Music. More interesting, however, is the emergence of watches as another medium for pop culture to permeate our everyday lives. They have captured the imaginations of both fans and watch enthusiasts alike, bringing together parties that, at first glance, would never have met at all.
Collaborations provide a number of advantages. Enthusiasts can delight in a refreshed, expanded catalogue, while fans of the media in question, many of whom may have never considered a watch in the first place, now have that idea planted in their head. Above all, it is fascinating to see the creativity of watchmakers at work, as they cleverly translate iconic, recognisable themes onto a mechanically demanding object.
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TAG Heuer and ‘Project Hail Mary’
Above TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5
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Ryan Gosling portrays scientist Ryland Grace in the sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same title. Grace awakens in space on a mission to figure out why the Sun is gradually dimming, which threatens to plunge the Earth into a new ice age within 30 years. Being on borrowed time is central to the film’s stakes at virtually every stage, and it is fitting that the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 is on the astronaut-slash-scientist’s wrist.
The choice to have Gosling, an established global ambassador for TAG Heuer, wear the Connected Calibre E5 was a natural choice, given the film’s genre and overall tone. And, while not a collaboration in the strictest sense, it still manages to seamlessly fit into the setting, almost as though it had a part written for it. Scenes were largely dominated by the steady hum of command modules and the metallic sheen of mechanical surfaces, which makes the bright red rubber strap stand out all the more. Its black ceramic bezel, meanwhile, grounds it to that pervasive futuristic tone, but these qualities are far from the only reasons.
Above Gosling wears the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 throughout the film
Gosling wears the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 throughout the film
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As a smart watch, the Connected Calibre E5 presents a multitude of tools which, while not exactly indispensable to an astronaut in space, nonetheless upholds that spirit of preparedness. These include a heart rate sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and an altimeter, among others. Inside is the TAG Heuer OS, which comes pre-installed with a variety of lifestyle and sports applications that are compatible with a host of flagship phones.
Customisation is also a highlight. While Gosling’s bright red strap and sleek black bezel were likely selected to complement the film’s colour palette, there is a wide choice of colours, textures and materials for the strap, suiting whatever endeavour you face.
See more: Movie review: ‘Project Hail Mary’ is a stellar spectacle of humanity
Hamilton and ‘Resident Evil Requiem’
Above The caseback of the American Classic Pan Europ Resident Evil Requiem Limited Edition
Above Black and gold reflect Grace Ashcroft’s character scheme
The caseback of the American Classic Pan Europ Resident Evil Requiem Limited Edition
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Capcom’s latest entry in their bestselling survival horror franchise, Resident Evil Requiem puts you in the shoes of FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and agent Leon Kennedy. They are investigating a string of mysterious deaths, all of whom were involved with the Raccoon City incident years prior. Both watches in the collaboration are based on these two leads, resulting in strong, character-driven timepieces that are reflective of their personalities and the series’ narrative tone.
The American Classic Pan Europ Resident Evil Requiem Limited Edition utilises a classic black-and-gold colour scheme to convey the grim determination and elegance with which Ashcroft carries herself. Those golden accents pop out against the darkness, accentuated by a single gold line that almost seems to continue unimpeded from the crocodile-pattern leather strap all across the dial. On the caseback is a geometric motif meant to mirror her analytic mind, and through here, one can observe the H-30 calibre that powers the timepiece. With a day-date function and a power reserve of up to 80 hours, it is designed to join you to the very limits of your endurance.
Above The dial conveys a strong, military feel alongside the wing motif
Above The caseback also bears the same wing motif alongside its limited edition indicator
The dial conveys a strong, military feel alongside the wing motif
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Kennedy, amusingly enough, is not out of place with a timepiece dedicated to his likeness. As an aside, the reveal of his return to the franchise was him exiting a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. The watch made in his honour sports that same jet-black aesthetic. Limited to 2,000 pieces, the Khaki Field Auto Chrono Resident Evil Requiem Limited Edition captures the intensity with magnificent ease. Reflecting Kennedy’s legacy and role as an agent of the fictional Division of Security Operations (DSO), the watch is kept abuzz with activity. The most striking detail is the wing motif at the 9 o’clock (also present on the caseback) which is officially intended to honour his fallen comrades, but fans have pointed out its similarities to the DSO’s logo. On the side are pushers that emulate a tactical sniper scope, giving it that extra military feel.
IWC Schaffhausen and ‘The Little Prince’
Above Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 ‘Le Petit Prince’
Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 ‘Le Petit Prince’
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A beloved classic around the world and translated into over 600 languages, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince addresses mature themes of grief, loss and love while still instilling childlike wonder. The Prince in all his enigmatic and ethereal quality is perfectly represented on the IWC Schaffhausen’s Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince, recently revealed at Watches and Wonders.
It features an appropriately compact 34mm case, crafted with the timeless elegance of stainless steel. The deep blue dial with its sun ray finish enchants the eye and instils a sense of calm and wonder, especially with the glint of its golden appliques that mirror stars in the night sky. The highlight is undoubtedly the day-and-night indication at the 6 o’clock. The small disc depicts the Little Prince standing atop his home asteroid, while the upper left-hand corner cycles between the sun and moon, depending on the time of day. Inside beats the Calibre 35180, an automatic winding system with 25 jewels, a power reserve of up to 50 hours and beats at a frequency of 28,800vph.
Above Both sides of the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince feature faithful renditions of the titular character that inspire playful wonder
Above An engraving of the Little Prince on the caseback
Both sides of the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince feature faithful renditions of the titular character that inspire playful wonder
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The alligator strap by Santoni features a quick-change system for easy swapping. Its inner side is noticeably orange to balance the subdued colourway on the front end, but also perhaps as a nod to the Sahara, where the book’s narrator first encounters the titular prince. And, as a final, charming touch, the caseback bears an engraving of the Little Prince himself, bordered by a text stylised after the first edition cover of the book.
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Credits
Photography: TAG Heuer, Hamilton, IWC Schaffhausen
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
