French Riviera: Best Watches Spotted at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

The 79th Cannes Film Festival officially came to a close this Saturday after 11 days of cinematic celebration and high glamour, with the Palme d’Or awarded to Cristian Mungiu for FJORD, marking a defining moment in this year’s competition.

As in previous years, the festival’s iconic red carpet delivered a spectacular display of international stars, striking fashion, and exceptional timepieces that embodied the spirit of luxury and elegance.

Here’s a closer look at the standout watches that captured attention along the Croisette this year.

At the premiere of Paper Tiger, Adam Driver wore the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked in sand gold. Paired with sharply tailored eveningwear, the openworked architecture and warm metallic tones created a refined yet contemporary statement. The watch’s technical complexity contrasted elegantly with Driver’s understated presence, capturing the balance between modern haute horlogerie and timeless red-carpet sophistication.
 

Vincent Cassel attended the premiere of Histoires parallèles (Parallel Tales) wearing the Audemars Piguet Neo Frame Jumping Hour alongside a midnight-blue tuxedo. Defined by its futuristic display and unconventional construction, the watch reinforced the actor’s experimental style. Its bold aesthetic echoed the atmosphere of Cannes, where contemporary fashion and avant-garde watchmaking increasingly shape the festival’s modern red-carpet identity.
 

For the premiere of Karma, Guillaume Canet selected the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Openworked. The ultra-thin silhouette and exposed movement brought understated refinement to his appearance, offering a discreet expression of technical mastery. Combined with classic tailoring, the timepiece reflected Canet’s effortless elegance while reinforcing the enduring appeal of the Royal Oak within contemporary haute horlogerie.
 

Gilles Lellouche appeared at the premiere of Moulin wearing the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 in steel. Distinguished by its layered architecture and contemporary proportions, the watch introduced a clean, modern dimension to his Cannes look. The balanced design and restrained sophistication reflected the actor’s commanding yet understated presence, perfectly aligned with the refined atmosphere of the festival’s official selection premieres.
 

Ella Bleu Travolta embraced youthful Riviera glamour wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold in white gold. The jewellery-inspired finish reflected the Cannes sunlight with subtle brilliance, adding elegance without excess. Paired with a contemporary evening silhouette, the watch highlighted Audemars Piguet’s ability to merge feminine sophistication with technical craftsmanship through a refined and modern interpretation of luxury watchmaking.
 

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Fast and Furious, Vin Diesel wore the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel during a special Cannes screening. Featuring wandering hours and an architectural design, the timepiece delivered a futuristic contrast to the nostalgic celebration. Its unconventional display and sculptural presence reinforced Diesel’s cinematic persona while showcasing Audemars Piguet’s more experimental approach to contemporary haute horlogerie.
 

Alton Mason delivered one of Cannes’ boldest fashion moments in a dramatic Vivienne Westwood ensemble paired with a snow-set white-gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Fully covered in brilliant-cut diamonds, the watch transformed haute horlogerie into wearable sculpture. The combination of avant-garde fashion and maximalist craftsmanship reflected the increasingly daring spirit of the festival’s evolving red-carpet aesthetic.
 

François Civil attended the presentation of Karma wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra Thin Special Edition in 39 mm. The iconic Gérald Genta design, defined by its integrated bracelet and ultra-thin profile, complemented his relaxed tailoring and understated Cannes style. Elegant yet discreet, the watch reinforced Civil’s refined presence while celebrating one of horology’s most enduring modern classics.
 

Miles Teller attended the Paper Tiger premiere wearing Tiffany & Co. jewellery alongside the Tiffany Cocktail 2-Hand watch in 18k rose gold. The Art Deco-inspired timepiece complemented a spectacular Bird on a Rock brooch set with a large citrine. Together, the pieces created a refined Hollywood glamour moment, balancing vintage elegance with contemporary red-carpet sophistication on the Croisette.
 

The following day, Miles Teller embraced a more relaxed daytime aesthetic wearing the Tiffany & Co. Union Square Mechanical Watch in yellow gold. Defined by its clean lines and understated proportions, the watch contrasted with the opulence of his premiere look. Its contemporary simplicity perfectly suited Cannes’ daytime atmosphere while reinforcing Tiffany & Co.’s evolving approach to modern watch design.
 

Gianna Jun attended the premiere of GUN-CHE / COLONY as Piaget’s Global Ambassador, wearing the Maison’s Treasures high jewellery watch alongside matching earrings and the Graceful Flight ring. The sculptural pieces reflected Piaget’s signature blend of daring creativity and refined craftsmanship. Combined with her luminous red-carpet presence, the jewellery embodied the sophisticated glamour synonymous with both Cannes and Piaget.
 

Gabrielle Caunesil brought modern Riviera elegance to Cannes wearing Piaget’s Swinging Sautoir Watch in rose gold with a malachite dial. Defined by its playful sautoir silhouette and vibrant gemstone detailing, the creation balanced vintage inspiration with contemporary sophistication. The distinctive design complemented her effortless fashion sensibility while showcasing Piaget’s long-standing expertise in expressive jewellery-watch craftsmanship.
 

Emmanuelle Béart attended the premiere of Garance wearing Chopard's L’Heure du Diamant watch. Defined by diamond-set craftsmanship and a refined vintage-inspired silhouette, the timepiece embodied timeless glamour and haute joaillerie savoir-faire. Paired with Béart’s effortless French elegance, the watch perfectly captured Cannes’ enduring relationship with classic cinema, luxury craftsmanship, and sophisticated red-carpet style.
 

Connor Swindells appeared at Cannes wearing the Chopard L.U.C. XPS in rose gold and diamonds. The ultra-thin watch, distinguished by minimalist design and exceptional finishing, brought discreet sophistication to his contemporary tailoring. Balancing modern British elegance with refined Swiss craftsmanship, the timepiece added quiet luxury to the actor’s Cannes appearance without overshadowing the simplicity of his overall look.
 

Odessa A’zion brought fresh energy to the Croisette wearing the Chopard Happy Sport in white gold. First introduced in 1993, the collection remains instantly recognizable for its playful floating diamonds and sport-chic spirit. The contemporary design added youthful elegance to her Cannes appearance, perfectly reflecting the festival’s evolving balance between classic glamour and modern red-carpet individuality.
 

Marion Cotillard attended the Karma photocall wearing the CHANEL Première Galon watch in yellow gold and diamonds. Defined by its braided gold bracelet and delicate diamond accents, the refined reinterpretation of the Première silhouette complemented her effortless Parisian elegance. She later returned for the Roma Elastica photocall, continuing Chanel’s enduring celebration of timeless sophistication throughout Cannes’ closing days.
 

Kacey Mottet-Klein appeared on the Croisette wearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph in pink gold. Combining Art Deco-inspired design with contemporary mechanical innovation, the reversible chronograph reflected timeless sophistication and technical refinement. Paired with understated tailoring, the iconic Reverso perfectly complemented the actor’s elegant presence and quiet confidence during the Cannes Film Festival.
 

Patrick Criado attended the premiere of Bitter Christmas wearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds. Celebrated for its dual-time functionality and elegant Art Deco design, the iconic model balanced travel practicality with refined craftsmanship. The sophisticated watch added discreet luxury to Criado’s Cannes appearance while highlighting Jaeger-LeCoultre’s enduring mastery of timeless haute horlogerie design.
 

Helena Christensen attended Cannes wearing the Vanguart Pink Ceramic ORB timepiece. Defined by its sculptural architecture and bold ceramic construction, the avant-garde creation reflected Vanguart’s experimental approach to haute horlogerie. The contemporary design added a striking artistic edge to Christensen’s elegant red-carpet style, perfectly aligning with the increasingly fashion-forward atmosphere of the Cannes Film Festival.