Jason Statham and his watches: Rolex Explorer II, Panerai, and IWC

Jason Statham, British actor and former professional diver, is a true watch enthusiast. On and off-screen, he alternates between vintage Rolex Explorer II, Panerai Black Seal, and IWC Aquatimer, making these timepieces part of his signature style.

Jason Statham: From Diving Champion to Action Star

In 2002, Jason Statham rose to fame with The Transporter, the first in a successful trilogy. He portrayed Frank Martin, a former special forces operative turned mercenary and bounty hunter, delivering anything, anywhere—for the right price.

Born in 1967, the British actor first gained recognition for his athletic achievements, spending twelve years as part of the British National Diving Team and earning a silver medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Spotted by a modeling agency, he quickly made his way into the fashion world and even appeared in music videos.

Early Roles and His First Watch Choice

A professional swimmer and passionate watch collector, Statham’s interest in timepieces showed early. In one of his first roles, in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, he wore a Marathon military dive watch—the brand trusted by the U.S. Navy and the Canadian Navy. He kept the same watch in Snatch, further cementing his early screen presence.

Rolex Explorer II: His Everyday Watch

In everyday life, he wears a Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 vintage Freccione...

Off-screen, Jason Statham is often seen wearing the iconic vintage Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655, known as the Freccione, during gala events and award ceremonies. This watch, traditionally nicknamed the “Steve McQueen Explorer II,” might well be renamed the “Statham Explorer II” thanks to his frequent appearances with it.

Panerai: From the Set to His Personal Collection

In 2008, Sylvester Stallone cast him as Lee Christmas in The Expendables, where he sported a Panerai Luminor Marina. Remaining loyal to Panerai, he wore a Panerai Black Seal in Fast & Furious 6 (2013), a choice he continued in the seventh and eighth films of the saga.

IWC Aquatimer: The Hitman’s Tool

In Mechanic: Resurrection (2016), directed by Dennis Gansel, Statham played a former hitman forced out of retirement to save his kidnapped girlfriend, portrayed by Jessica Alba. In this film, he wore an IWC Aquatimer Automatic, emphasizing his taste for functional dive watches.

Back to Panerai with the Goldtech Submersible

In 2021, for the film Five Eyes, Statham returned to his Panerai roots with a 42mm Submersible ref. PAM 1164 Goldtech. This military-inspired dive watch perfectly complements his rugged on-screen persona and remains one of his preferred styles both on set and in daily life.