While busy scooping up awards for Adolescence and promoting the second season of A Thousand Blows, the British actor opted for some familiar horological arm candy.
Stephen Graham bagged Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television at Sunday’s Critics’ Choice Awards. And 24 hours later, he was straight back at it, promoting season two of A Thousand Blows in Los Angeles.
To put it bluntly, he’s a busy guy with a schedule packed with the kind of buzzy gigs you might want a nice watch for – not just for the time-telling power (although, we’re sure that comes in handy when you’re this booked and busy), but as an elegant marker of achievement and status. Graham could pack his hand luggage with multiple hot-ticket grails, with red carpets and lengthy press tours providing ample watch flexing opportunities. But instead he sticks to one watch: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.
For many Rolex heads, the Daytona is the holiest of holy grails. It’s one of just two chronographs produced by the Crown (the other is the Yacht-Master II). It’s born from the legendary Daytona Beach racing series, and legendary actor and driver Paul Newman was a big-time fan with his personal model selling for £13.6 million in 2017. If you want to score a Daytona, you can expect a spot on a years-long wait list from an authorised dealer or an inflated secondary market price, with both only adding to the hype.
First image via Getty Images. Second Image via Watchfinder.
Graham’s model is the reference 116520, pairing a steel case and polished steel bezel with a contrasting white dial. It was produced between 2000 and 2016 and is now discontinued, adding to its allure. As far as Daytonas go, it’s on the quieter end of the spectrum – not made of flashy metals or packed with diamonds. Instead, it beams with a more muted rugged sophistication, making it the ideal “one and done” watch. In the last 12 months, Graham has put his faith in the model for the London A Thousand Blows photocall, The Emmys, and the UK premiere of Deliver Me From Nowhere.
With its mix of hardy metals, 72 hours power reserve, and robust design, it fairs well for daily wear while still possessing divine head-turning capabilities over even the most serious watch heads. So for a guy familiar with starry awards shows and getting stuck into powerful and moving performances across the board, from comedy to gritty dramas, the Daytona’s balance of toughness and charm is the perfect match.
Upon accepting his Critics Choice Award on Sunday, Stephen Graham joked that he was the only person he didn’t recognise in the room. It’s hard to imagine, given his status and Adolescence’s storming success. But there was no danger of his watch flying under the radar in a room of Hollywood stars. The Daytona is a horological muscle flex. They’re hard to get hold of, adored by many, and undeniably distinguishable – ideal for an actor of Graham’s calibre.
