Just had a chance to watch the new film Drive, which I really enjoyed. It starred Ryan Gosling, but for any watch fan who saw it, they would say that the co-star was his tasteful Patek Philippe. While the whole movie had a distinct vintage style, the vintage Patek Philippe has a starring role with the amount of screen time it got. During the intro, you’re introduced to both Gosling, the getaway driver and the Patek, which times his 5-minute limit during a heist.
Check out the trailer below, which also gives a peek at the watch. If you haven’t seen the movie, the trailer portrays it as a Hollywood car-chase movie, but its style is really closer to a violent film noir, with Gosling playing more an antihero role than you’d expect. It definately added up to an unique and memorable take on a a typical action movie theme. Along with killer sound track
Outside of his critical success as an actor, Gosling is also known as a style icon. He feels the costumes for his roles are integral to the character themselves and had his input on them for Drive, along with the pick of watch, an important piece to his character. He was drawn to the understated class of a vintage Patek, which paired well with the calm, enigmatic character he played. Unfortunately the Patek used in the movie is a replica made for the movie. They did this to spare any real vintage Pateks harm, as filming a stunt-driving movie would have have damaged them as much as a real getaway chase would. This also separates Drive from modern and most classic car chase films, where sports or diving watches are more common, such as the Rolex Submariner or Omega seamaster.
Picture of the actual movie prop.
With Patek still continuing their traditional styling for many pieces, they still have a modern equivalent to the vintage-inspired replica from the movie, with the Calatrava Collection, which they started making in 1932. The current Calatrava with a small seconds subdial and hour markers matches up nicely to the one worn by Gosling in Drive. It comes in either white or yellow gold 37mm case, with either a brown or leather alligator strap.
View our Patek Philippe Calatrava Collection
The current Calatrava Small Seconds watch.
Ron Perlman played a staring roll opposite Gosling and also had a watch to match his persona. Playing a hardened gangster, Perlman was seen sporting a big, brash Breitling Bentley Chronograph. A replica was also used for this piece, but it’s a solid match for a Current Breitling Bentley Chrono with the same faceted bezel. The real version includes a date aperture that the movie replica does not, but looks like it fits on the same huge 48mm stainless steel case.
View Our Breitling Bentley Collection
Picture of the actual movie prop.
Current Breitling Bentley Chronograph
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Any Idea where could you get a replica of Goslings Patek Phillippe made up??? Not even the fake sites have anything close – its for a costume party