Natalie Wood and watches: an icon between cinema and style

Natalie Wood, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses, left her mark not only on film but also on watch culture. Known for wearing the watches of her lovers—Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, or even Elvis—she helped transform the watch into a personal, emotional symbol. A look back at how Natalie Wood became a fashion pioneer through timepieces.

From child star to Hollywood icon

An adventure that begins on July 20, 1938, in San Francisco, California. Born Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko, Natalie Wood made her film debut at the age of five, but it was her Oscar nomination and Golden Globe as a breakthrough actress in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), where she played Judy opposite James Dean’s Jim, that propelled her into the spotlight. In 1961, West Side Story further cemented her fame, and she continued to take on roles through the late 1970s, concluding her career with a Golden Globe for the series From Here to Eternity.

Wearing McQueen’s watch: a gesture with meaning

She was rumored to have had a romance with The King, Elvis Presley, in 1956—who was a well-known fan of Rolex Bubble Backs, watches she often borrowed from him. However, it was with The King of Cool, Steve McQueen, that her passion for watches became public. During the filming of Love with the Proper Stranger in 1963, during scenes where McQueen was in front of the camera, she continued to wear his watch—a beloved Elgin A-11 Navigation Hack Watch, an American aviator's timepiece from World War II that McQueen had kept from The War Lover and later wore in The Great Escape, the film that earned him an Oscar.

A watch becomes a symbol

This ritual between the two actors did not go unnoticed—it was widely reported and photographed by the tabloid press of the time. Since McQueen’s passion for watches was already well known to the public, this habit elevated his watch to the status of a sentimental symbol, akin to a wedding ring. More than a simple act of complicity, it became a subject of media fascination. This was also a turning point for watches in the media, where for the first time, they were seen as more than just accessories. From then on, a watch became inextricably linked to its owner—it was no longer just a timepiece but his or her watch, a defining element of identity in both press and cinema.

A pioneer of watch-sharing

The symbolism created by this tradition gave Natalie Wood the status of a pioneer. This is where the trend began—the idea of a partner wearing their significant other’s watch. It became a romantic gesture, a way of carrying a part of the loved one even in their absence. Throughout her life, Natalie was seen wearing the watches of her future husbands. She was photographed with Robert Wagner’s Rolex Precision 6694, and she also wore various men's timepieces as she moved through different relationships. She was linked to many "watch stories," including Warren Beatty and his Cartier Tank, as well as Christopher Walken and his Rolex Submariner.

From silver screen to television stardom

By the late 1970s, Natalie Wood's impressive filmography had made her an undisputed Hollywood icon. However, her career also took a significant turn on the small screen. At a time when film actors and actresses largely dismissed television, she quickly understood the power and enormous influence of TV series. Her husband, Robert Wagner, followed her lead, and together they became Hollywood’s most successful television couple.

A timeless fashion icon

Gradually, Natalie Wood established herself as a fashion icon. Starting from an innocent, romantic image, she evolved with each passing trend, refining a unique style that became her signature. The Natalie Wood look blended the femme fatale allure with the romantic heroine of West Side Story. She was photographed by legendary artists like Bert Stern and featured on the covers of prestigious magazines such as Life throughout the '70s and '80s. The woman who became a trailblazing fashion icon first made her mark by wearing the watch of her partner—a trend that has been widely followed ever since, by both men and women. After all, what could be more personal than a token of love that is worn against the skin?