About two years ago after the release of the first Iron Man movie (not animated that is) I wrote a little article about the various watches that Robert Downey Jr. wore as character Tony Stark in the movie. I was actually pretty surprised that the article was so popular, but it was my most viewed article for over 6 months – you can check out that article on watches in the original Iron Man here. Iron Man 1 was all about Bulgari as the brand was heavily featured in the film. Tony Stark wore a few of their new watches for 2008. Now, two years later  Bulgari (Bvlgari) is out, and Jaeger-LeCoultre is in. Clearly the Richemont Group brand has more money that the troubled Bulgari group, and realized that popularity of the placement.

To my knowledge, back in 2008 Bulgari never issued a press release on its watches in Iron Man. How funny it is that even before Iron Man 2 has been released, Jaeger-LeCoultre is plugging the placement like they won a prize. I actually think it was clever of them to get their watches in the film as they are a good fit. Though I am totally confused as to why they chose the watches that they did. Jaeger-LeCoultre probably didn’t select the specific watches to be used in the film. That is for the film’s producer, costume people, and maybe even Robert Downey Dr. The brand just makes its pieces available.

There are a number of very cool, technical looking Jaeger-LeCoultre watches that were available, but according to Jaeger-LeCoultre here is what is in the movie. I will have to see the film and determine if there are even more JLC watches in it.Regardless, here are the pieces of Jaeger-LeCoultre “Wrist Armor” in Iron Man 2.

Jaeger-LeCoultre is proudest of the special platinum (and ceramic) version of its AMVOX3 Tourbillon GMT watch being worn a lot by Tony Stark. The third watch made to celebrate the Aston Martin racing partnership between them and JLC has the time (with subsidiary seconds dial), periphery date, and second timezone with quick “east/west” time adjustment. This is probably the most suitable watch for the theme of the movie given it’s style. The other two watches are much more classic. Tony Stark is likely wearing them while he is in more formal attire.

Next is the quite rare Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grand Tourbillon 1833 watch. This tourbillon with regulator style second time zone also has a periphery date indicator. Pretty classy piece, and of the most subdued JLC tourbillon watches. Last is a Reverso Grande watch, likely the Reverso Grande Date. Jaeger-LeCoultre specifically says the Reverso watch in the movie is going to be the Reverso Grande 985. These are both less than common JLC watches. Why not an Extreme Lab watch? Or a Master Compressor diver or Reverso Squadra?

For viewers of the movie, the news of what watch Tony Stark is wearing might be disheartening. This is a mainstream movie, and these aren’t mainstream watches. The cheapest one here is probably the Reverso Grande watch, and it will still be at least $25,000 in gold. The AMVOX3 Tourbillon GMT  is a limited edition and in platinum (most expensive), and the Master Grand Tourbillon, has a tourbillon and is in gold (also very expensive). Someone searching for the watches might come here, and when I mention that these higher end watches are closer to $65,000 each, the will quickly realize this new timepiece desire they have is futile. It isn’t that no one can afford the watches, but 99% of the movie’s viewers won’t even fathom the ability to buy one. Then again, the Bulgari watches in the first movie weren’t exactly bargain pieces. Also, Tony Stark is supposed to be a billionaire in the Iron Man world, so he can pretty much afford whatever he likes.

I wonder what other watches will be featured in the film. Especially what the villain character Mickey Rourke will be playing as will have on his wrist, as well as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, who is War Machine played by Don Cheadle. So awesome that War Machine is also in the movie. I’ll update if necessary in May after Iron Man 2 comes out.