Timothée Chalamet and Paul Mescal have cemented their status as Hollywood’s ultimate “internet boyfriends”—accidental trendsetters with an undeniable affinity for Cartier watches. Both actors have been spotted sporting the luxury brand’s timepieces throughout the year, whether by personal choice or contractual obligation. Yet, despite their shared taste, their approaches to watch styling couldn’t be more distinct, making their wrist game a fascinating study in contrasts.
Timothée Chalamet: The Bold Horological Rule-Breaker
Chalamet’s fashion choices have always defied convention, and his watch game is no exception. From his Bob Dylan-inspired A Complete Unknown press tour looks to his Haider Ackermann-clad red carpet appearances—even his viral Guy Fieri-esque Knicks game outfit—the actor carries the same fearless energy to his wristwear.
His recent courtside appearances have featured repeat offenders: the Cartier Baignoire Allongée, a diamond-studded statement piece typically reserved for formal occasions, and the Panthère, a stainless steel model traditionally favored by women. Chalamet, however, wears both with effortless nonchalance, aligning himself with the “small watches on guys” movement alongside peers like Jacob Elordi and Bad Bunny.
His Cartier portfolio is extensive—from a pink-dial Ballon Bleu at the Berlinale to the Baignoire Tutti Frutti at the Oscars and even a rare Tank à Guichets paired with a hoodie and cargo pants. Most memorably, he once stacked three Cartier Tank Minis on one wrist, proving he plays by no one’s rules but his own.
Paul Mescal: The Understated Master of Quiet Luxury
While Chalamet thrives on boldness, Mescal’s Cartier game leans into subtlety and personal significance. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, he wore his own 1977 Cartier Gondole, a vintage gold dress watch on a leather strap, paired with a relaxed navy suit. The choice felt intimate—less about flash, more about timeless elegance.
That’s not to say Mescal shies away from grail-worthy pieces. At the launch dinner for Cartier’s V&A exhibition, he debuted a 1996 Cartier Tank à Guichets in platinum—a rare reissue coinciding with his birth year. The watch, paired with a classic tuxedo, underscored his ability to balance high horology with understated sophistication.
The Verdict: Two Styles, One Winning Brand
Chalamet and Mescal champion Cartier in entirely different ways. The former is a maximalist, unafraid to flaunt the brand’s most unconventional pieces in everyday settings. The latter embodies quiet luxury, favoring vintage charm and personal resonance over overt flash.
If audacious, rule-breaking style is your preference, Chalamet is the undisputed Cartier flex god. But for those who appreciate refined, cool-girl (or guy) subtlety, Mescal takes the crown as the low-key Cartier king. Either way, Cartier remains the ultimate winner—with two of Hollywood’s brightest stars as its most stylish ambassadors.
