Feature: The watches of Succession
Succession has become one of the most talked-about TV series in recent years with people speculating over who would become the next top dog of family-owned media empire, Waystar Royco. The black-comedy drama is said to be loosely based on the real-life Murdoch family and its global media empire.
With this kind of affluence comes an enviable selection of high-end timepieces, and so we have several characters sporting some of Switzerland’s finest, making it the perfect watch spotter’s show.
Armed with a magnifying glass and a finger on the pause button, we took a closer look at the Roy family’s wrist candy. Here’s what we found…
Logan Roy wore: Breguet and IWC
Considering Logan Roy (played by Brian Cox) is the patriarch of the family and the source of its incredible wealth, he wears watches that whisper luxury, as opposed to scream it. His Breguet Classique is a fine example of this with its subtle charm that makes it a classic dress watch, such as the blue Breguet numerals. His other choices include what appears to be an IWC Big Pilot’s Watch with a white dial and its classic protruding conical crown.
Logan's Breguet Classique, similar to this one, is a fine example of quiet luxury
His understated style, which extends to his wardrobe, speaks of a man who doesn’t need to use his watches or fancy clothes to express his status or power. Who could forget his devastatingly dismissive response when Tom gifted him a Patek Philippe in the pilot episode—a watch that most people could only dream of owning!
Kendall Roy wore: Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Richard Mille
Kendall (Jeremy Strong) is Logan’s ambitious second son and appears to be the obvious choice as the next CEO of Waystar Royco. So, someone with his stature needs a watch collection to match, right? Well, Kendall’s certainly delivers with a couple of exceptional Vacheron Constantins—a Traditionnelle World Time and a Harmony Monopusher chronograph—plus one of the most hyped watches of the past few years, a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711.
Kendall's collection is one of the most diverse in the show, this Vacheron Constantin is one of the watches he wears
By series four, Kendall wears a hugely pricey Richard Mille, the quintessential wealth signifier of the mega rich. His collection has shaped up to be one of the most interesting and diverse of all the characters in the show, with his inconsistency of taste summing up just how unsure of himself he is.
Roman Roy wore: Rolex and IWC
For a character as provocative and outspoken as Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin), you’d expect him to wear watches to match his persona—we’re talking uber-expensive flashy pieces by the likes of Richard Mille and Jacob & Co.
Roman wears understated models like this Rolex Datejust
Instead, Roman opts for understated ones including steel Rolexes and sophisticated models from IWC like a Pilot’s Watch with a blue sunray dial. His pared-down Datejust boasts a smooth bezel and Oyster bracelet—although, you could argue that Rolex watches are flashy no matter what they’re made of. Considering Roman is the youngest sibling, he has a mature taste in watches, one that’s quietly confident in comparison to his older brother, Kendall.
Siobhan “Shiv” Roy wore: Cartier and Breitling
As Logan Roy’s only daughter, it’s down to Shiv (Sarah Snook) to uphold the standards set by the men in the family when it comes to watches, and she doesn’t disappoint. Throughout the first series, Shiv sports what we think is a yellow-gold Cartier Tank Francaise. The Tank is Cartier’s flagship model and has been worn by everyone from Princess Diana to artist Andy Warhol.
Shiv sports what appears to be an elegant yellow-gold Tank Francaise throughout the first season
By series two she’s traded in her Tank for a steel Panthère—with one in yellow gold, too, for good measure. Clearly a huge Cartier fan, Shiv has also been spotted wearing a Pasha de Cartier.
Later in the programme, Shiv swaps her Cartier watches for what looks like a Breitling Navitimer, a timepiece that stands in stark contrast to the rest of her collection and indicates her newfound freedom from her father.
Tom Wambsgans wore: Cartier and Audemars Piguet
At the start of the series Shiv’s clownish husband, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), sticks close to his wife’s stylistic decisions and also opts for Cartier. His Santos is a classic timepiece considered the watchmaker’s more masculine offering. By series four, Tom swaps his Cartier for an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, a watch that is loved by big names in glamorous industries from music to sport, the kind of people Tom would no doubt like to rub shoulders with.
Tom's Royal Oak represents a big changing point in his life
His choice of AP was a chronograph model with a stainless-steel case and bracelet and classic navy-blue dial with three white subdials. This new incredibly expensive timepiece signalled the start of a new era for Tom, as he stepped out of his wife’s shadow after their split.
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