Every so often, a new show lands that feels tailor-made for a certain niche audience. With Your Friends & Neighbors, Apple TV+ delivers a stylish, darkly comic thriller about money, morality, and status symbols - and for watch lovers, it's a treasure trove of wristwatch moments that might make you pause, rewind, and screenshot more than a few frames.
At the center of it all is Jon Hamm, an actor who’s no stranger to iconic roles (see: Don Draper), and now finds himself in the shoes of a disgraced hedge fund manager turned high-end thief. His character, Coop, is slick, composed, and constantly out of his depth - a man who’s lost everything and yet refuses to let go of the appearance of success. Sound familiar? Good. Now add in an exceptional rotation of luxury watches, and you've got our attention.
Jon Hamm knows how to wear a suit. More importantly for us, he knows how to wear a watch. In Your Friends & Neighbors, Hamm plays Coop with a kind of desperate poise - he’s broke, but his wrist tells a different story. That tension between reality and façade is echoed in the timepieces on screen.
In the pilot episode, Coop is seen wearing what appears to be a two-tone Rolex Datejust with a Jubilee bracelet - classic, understated, and just flashy enough for a man who wants you to believe he's still got it. The watch isn’t just a prop; it’s a character cue. And the way the camera lingers on it? The director knows exactly what they're doing.
Throughout the series, the supporting cast brings their own watch game to the table. Think gold Cartier Tanks, Patek Philippe Calatravas, and even a cameo by a Royal Oak (yes, that one). These aren’t just watches; they’re narrative tools. They tell you who has money, who had money, and who’s trying to look like they still do.
The brilliance of Your Friends & Neighbors lies in how it uses luxury watches not just as props, but as psychological cues and storytelling tools.
Jon Hamm’s Coop, a disgraced hedge funder turned thief, isn’t just stealing for survival - he’s chasing the feeling of control and identity that wealth once gave him. In one scene, he delicately lifts a white-gold Lange off a dresser with something approaching reverence. It’s not about resale value - it’s about what that watch represents.
Set in a polished Southern California enclave where every wrist tells a story, the show leans into its affluent aesthetic with intention. Each timepiece, from a Cartier Tank to a Patek Calatrava, feels deliberately chosen to reflect character, status, and inner conflict. For watch lovers, it's a rare show that truly gets what a watch can say without saying a word.
That thrill when you handle something rare, beautifully made, and slightly out of reach? The show gets it.
Of course, Your Friends & Neighbors stands on its own as a sharp, stylish, and darkly funny series about moral ambiguity and the crumbling illusion of wealth.
But if you’re into watches, it gives you even more to appreciate. It’s one of the few shows in recent memory that doesn't just feature luxury timepieces—it understands what they mean.
Whether it’s the desperate elegance of Hamm’s character clinging to his Datejust, or the subtle flex of a Vacheron Constantin on a secondary character who doesn’t say much but knows exactly who he is, the show speaks to those of us who believe that what you wear on your wrist can say more than words.
Worn by Jon Hamm's character, Andrew "Coop" Cooper in episode 1 of the show "This Is What Happens", this classic timepiece underscores his attempt to maintain a facade of success amidst personal turmoil.
The blend of steel and yellow gold reflects his balancing act between appearances and reality. Its elegant proportions and unmistakable fluted bezel project stability, even as Coop’s world unravels.
It’s less an accessory, more a mask of composure - a calculated choice signaling taste, tradition, and success. For a character desperate to hold onto status, the Datejust becomes a subtle form of armor, shielding him from the truth he's reluctant to face.
Spotted on a supporting character, this elegant watch reflects the understated luxury prevalent in Coop's affluent community.
With its slim profile, Roman numerals, and signature blue cabochon crown, the Tank Louis is the kind of watch that whispers wealth rather than shouts it. It’s a fitting choice for a character who doesn’t need to prove anything—someone born into comfort rather than chasing it.
The presence of such a refined, heritage piece subtly reinforces the show's themes of class and quiet power. In a neighborhood where every detail signals status, the Tank stands out precisely because it doesn’t try to.
Coop discreetly acquires this exquisite timepiece during a burglary, highlighting his descent into criminality and his appreciation for fine craftsmanship.
The Saxonia’s minimalist design and mirror-finish white gold case speak to a refined, almost obsessive love of horology. It’s a quiet piece - no flash, no diamonds - just precision, elegance, and restraint. That Coop handles it with such care suggests this isn’t just about taking something; it’s reverence.
For a moment, the watch represents something aspirational: clarity, order, and control in a life rapidly unraveling.
In one episode, Jon Hamm’s character, Coop, steals, wears, and ultimately flips a Patek Philippe Nautilus - specifically the coveted reference 5811/1G-001 in white gold with a rich blue dial. It's the first major watch heist in the series. The 5811 features a self-winding mechanical movement, a sunburst blue dial with a black-gradient rim, and those signature horizontal grooves. Gold-applied hour markers with luminescent coating and a date window at 3 o’clock round out the iconic design.
Though it retails for around $70,000, its real-world market value easily exceeds $150,000. The show knows exactly what it’s doing with this watch: it gets a slow-motion close-up during the scene, almost like an ad reel, and Episode 2 opens on Coop admiring it on his wrist. For watch lovers, it’s a moment of cinematic reverence.
At BQ Watches, we specialise in sourcing some of the most beautiful luxury models from the brands seen in this water cooler moment show. If you don’t spot your ideal timepiece in our current inventory, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. With our extensive sourcing services, we’re dedicated to helping you track down your dream watch. Get in touch with the BQ Watches team today and let’s talk watches!
At BQ Watches, we're here to help you find your perfect Rose Gold Cartier watch. If you don’t spot your ideal timepiece in our current inventory, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. With our extensive sourcing services, we’re dedicated to helping you track down your dream watch. Get in touch with the BQ Watches team today, or visit our luxury London showroom, and let’s talk watches!
