Onscreen watchspotting has become something of a game for watch fans these days; though watches have been part of both visual storytelling and marketing deals for decades, its interesting to tell the story of a character as well as the actor within via what's worn on their wrists—and few actors channel that as well as Matt Damon has in his nearly 30-year feature film career.
There's plenty of material here for film/horology aficionados to leaf through here. Featuring many of the most iconic watches of the 21st century, here's a look at some favourites from the on-set catalogue that Damon's worn in several of his fan-favourite on screen appearances.
TAG Heuer Link Chronograph — The Bourne Identity (2002)
Just five years after his breakthrough role in Good Will Hunting, Damon found himself as the centrepiece of one of the greatest action series of the 2000s, playing Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity. Alongside his iconic portrayal of the amnesiac CIA operative, a piece that stayed consistent throughout the trilogy was the TAG Heuer Link Chronograph. The watch, with its 41mm stainless steel case and distinctive S-shaped link bracelet, perfectly matched Bourne’s character—rugged, practical, and stylish without drawing unnecessary attention. With a quartz movement, black dial, and water resistance of 200 metres, it embodied the blend of resilience and precision that Bourne himself displayed.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph — Ocean's Thirteen (2007)
Just six years after kicking off the Ocean’s franchise, Matt Damon returned as Linus Caldwell in Ocean’s 13 (2007), the ultimate heist movie of the decade. Along with an amusing disguise and quick-witted charm, Damon sported an IWC Portugieser Chronograph—a watch known for its reliability and bold style. With its 42mm steel case, black dial, and chronograph complication, the watch added a touch of classic aviation heritage to Damon’s character, embodying the precision and finesse required to pull off the audacious schemes that made the film so thrilling.
Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO — The Martian (2015)
In The Martian (2015), Matt Damon played astronaut Mark Watney, and his journey of survival on Mars was complemented by the Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO. This watch was the perfect fit for Watney's rugged mission, featuring an all-black, stealthy design that was built for resilience. The 46mm PVD-coated case and 1000-metre water resistance made it both visually striking and technically apt for space travel. The BeLOWZERO, with its luminous markers and robust rubber strap, represented both functionality and toughness, much like Watney's resourceful fight to stay alive on Mars.
Heuer Carrera 7753SN — Ford v Ferrari (2019)
In Ford v Ferrari (2019), Matt Damon portrayed Carroll Shelby, the legendary automotive designer and racer. To complement his character's passion for speed, Damon wore the vintage Heuer Carrera ref. 7753, a watch that perfectly matched the film's spirit of racing heritage. The Carrera, with its classic chronograph function and vintage design cues, captured the essence of the 1960s racing scene. The stainless steel case, panda-style dial, and precision movement embodied both elegance and performance—just like Shelby's quest to beat Ferrari at Le Mans.
Hamilton Piping Rock — Oppenheimer (2023)
In Oppenheimer (2023), Matt Damon played Leslie Groves, the military general overseeing the Manhattan Project. To reflect the era and General Groves’ character, Damon wore the Hamilton Piping Rock, a watch that dates back to the late 1920s. The Piping Rock, with its elegant Art Deco design and gold-tone tonneau case, carried the classic vintage charm of the time—all while exuding a serious, heavyset aura.
Images: Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Hamilton, IWC, TAG Heuer
