Kathryn Bigelow, James Cameron and More Reveal Inspirations in Rolex Oscars Campaign

In a Rolex film broadcast during the Oscars ceremony, the watch’s four cinema Testimonees—Kathryn Bigelow, James Cameron, Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Martin Scorsese—reveal the personal inspirations in their pasts, which helped them break boundaries and strive for artistic greatness. Each one also speaks about how conveying experience to the filmmakers of tomorrow helps ensure the continuity of expertise and the highest standards.

When Marlon Brando played Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, he was wearing a Rolex watch. In The Color of Money, Paul Newman sported a Rolex as he reprised his pool hustler character Fast Eddie Felson. And, in Titanic, Bill Paxton, as treasure hunter Brock Lovett, was wearing one as he descended to the legendary wreck in a submersible.

The appearance of these watches was not the result of product placement. Rather, the watches were the personal choice of directors to subtly portray fortitude in their characters − a sense of toughness and control, along with a sophisticated sense of style. A Rolex watch makes a strong statement.

Rolex appreciates storytelling in film because it has its own great story to tell. The company’s history is marked by more than a century of innovation. In 1926, Rolex produced the world’s first waterproof watch, the Oyster, which, in its own way, changed the course of history. For the first time, people could go to remote places, like the tops of mountains, with a reliable, precise, robust watch. The extraordinary level of innovation that Rolex has achieved – with more than 500 patents – was made possible by a quest for perpetual excellence. This is Rolex’s ethos, instilled by the founder of the company, Hans Wilsdorf; this is the force that drives Rolex whether it is creating the finest timepieces or supporting outstanding achievement in sport and in the arts.

Rolex has been Exclusive Watch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Proud Sponsor of the Oscars since 2017, as well as Sponsor of the Annual Governors Awards that recognise life achievement in film since 2018.

Through these ties, the company supports excellence in filmmaking. For Rolex, the Academy is the perfect partner, given its mission is to inspire imagination and connect the world through the medium of motion pictures.

Rolex’s four film Testimonees personify excellence in their craft and are committed to passing on their knowledge and wisdom to young filmmakers.

They know the importance of transmission since they have also been mentored and inspired by others, which helped them reach the pinnacle of filmmaking.

The four Testimonees revealed how they were guided and inspired by filmmakers and others, helping them to break boundaries and strive for artistic greatness. Each one similarly acknowledges that conveying their wisdom to the filmmakers of tomorrow helps ensure the continuity of expertise and the highest standards.