The Wild West

James Marsden shares his love for IWC timepieces and what he’s learnt sitting opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins

- Sean Mossadeg

WALKING UP TO JAMES MARSDEN, I overhear an IWC staffer tell him that she prefers his character to Ryan gosling’s in 2004’s The Notebook. “Wow. Really?” he asks, his blue eyes twinkle incredulously as a grin spreads across his face. For a split second she’s lost for words and I realise I am witnessing a serious case of swooning. It figures. Marsden recently won gQ’s Handsomest Man of the Year, and I bet those bright blues have a lot to do with it.

The actor is in Singapore to promote the Jonathan Nolan-helmed HBO series Westworld and to attend the Singapore International Film Festival for Swiss watchmaker IWC. Marsden explains his association with the brand was by chance. “I was gifted an IWC Portofino by the showrunner of Ally McBeal. My first treasure watch,” he shares.

On another occasion, his stylist Ilaria Urbinati strapped an IWC timepiece on his wrist for a red carpet event and he fell in love. “It was an organic sorta kismet with IWC when I saw what the brand did – the craftsmanship and history behind it all.”

A self-professed purist, he believes a man should have a nice watch. “We can’t really wear other accessories or jewellery.” Then he adds, “Well, I guess now we can but it isn’t me.” He’s added more to his collection while keeping it classic and compact. “I’m not one of those who get too spend-y. When I collect something, I try to keep it small but great.”

Unlike the high bling timepieces preferred by many celebrities, Marsden is rather grounded in his watch choices.