The Watches of AMC’s ‘Mad Men.’
‘I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie. There is no system. The universe is indifferent.’ — Don Draper in ‘Mad Men.’
No less than David Lynch is a fan. In an interview with Shortlist, Mr. Lynch said ‘whoever cast that show did a sensational job. It’s great writing, great atmosphere.’ Part of that atmosphere is of course the amazing costuming and set design; for watch nerds like us, this means checking out all the characters’ timepieces! Here’s a short guide to some of the watches seen on the show.
The cast members surely wear some stunners; here’s Don’s ‘tuxedo-dialed’ Jaeger-Lecoultre Memovox and his Rolex Explorer. He wore the Memovox in the first season; the built-in alarm probably helped him get out of bed in spite of some serious hangovers. In Season Two he makes partner at the ad firm, and of course did what many of us do when confronted with a raise in salary; he bought himself a new timepiece.
In this case it was a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. According to the propmaster, the real-life Don Draper (Jon Hamm) didn’t really like the iconic timepiece when he was first confronted with it! Supposedly only after he was shown the features of the watch (including the ‘flipping’ face) he warmed to the look and after a few weeks started wearing it off-set. JLC later made a super-limited-edition drop of these featuring the Sterling Cooper Draper Price logo on the back; but unless you were highly connected with either the series or JLC, good luck finding one…only 25 were made.
In the fourth season, another watchmaking icon peeped out from behind Don’s shirt cuff; the aforementioned Rolex Explorer or as we now call it the Explorer I. A classic all-rounder look, especially on its OG Oyster riveted band. This perfect piece didn’t last long on Don’s arm however, as he switched it in season five for a black crosshair-dialed Omega Seamaster DeVille with date. It wasn’t just Don who wore great watches in the show; his partner Roger Sterling rocked a great Tudor silver-and-black ‘bullseye dial’ watch that looked a lot like a UG Polerouter.
Pete Campbell went with a Hamilton ‘Sputnik,’ a very interesting and very 60s design that features angled lugs. The dial markers work in concert with the lugs, reminding many wearers of the eponymous Russian satellite. Pete Cosgrove also rocked a Hammy; his came as part of a gift pack from a client. He only flexes the watch for a minute, but the internet consensus is that it’s a Ventura model. (Elvis was wearing one of those at the time, so all that makes sense.)
One also can’t forget Megan Draper’s piece, a clean and elegant Jules Jurgensen set with diamonds on a black strap. She was obviously a bit younger in age than Mr. Draper, so the propmasters went with the JJ for a bit of youthful flash and beauty.
Thanks for reading, and if anyone knows of any other watches seen on the show; let us know!
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