It is of course no coincidence that the soundtrack in “Oppenheimer” repeatedly makes it clear how time passes. After all, the invention of the atomic bomb also takes place in a race against time and the Nazis. For so long, the whole movie also feels like a countdown to that world-changing event: the first detonation of an atomic bomb.
With time being such an important part of Christopher Nolan’s work, it’s not surprising that many of the characters in his films wear wristwatches, including Oppenheimer. Included the director, known for his attention to detail, again teamed up with the watch manufacturer Hamilton.
He equipped three of the film’s central characters with different models of watches: J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), his wife Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt), and Lieutenant General Leslie Groves Jr. (Matt Damon), the military leader of the Manhattan Project to invent the atomic bomb.
Historical Hamilton watches for “Oppenheimer”
For them, of course, watches had to be found that also fit the era in which the film is set. They also had to be models that the real role models of the figures themselves could have worn on their wrists. Although Hamilton has a very extensive archive of its own, it depended on the support of collectors of such historic timepieces. In this way, a total of six different, authentic and historic Hamilton watches could be made available for the three figures.
Oppenheimer himself can be seen in the film with three different models: Cushion B, Endicott and Lexington. What all three models have in common is that they combine American design with decorative elements in the Art Deco style. This is also intended to express the interplay of scientific precision and the pioneering spirit of individuality in the Oppenheimer character.
Of course, a completely different approach was chosen for Kitty Oppenheimer. She wears a beautifully decorated 14k gold Lady Hamilton A-2. And military Groves has watches on his wrist that match his job. The rugged Piping Rock and Military Ordnance models emphasize functionality that is important to a high-ranking soldier.
In a featurette, Christopher Nolan himself discusses the importance of time for “Oppenheimer” and working with Hamilton for his new intense film experience. Together with his production designer, Ruth De Jong (alias Nope), he also explains how important Hamilton was to the authenticity of the film.
Not only was working with Christopher Nolan not new territory for Hamilton, but so was working with Hollywood. Founded in Pennsylvania in 1892 and now part of the Swiss Swatch Group Watch manufacturer is represented in more than 500 films and series – most recently in “Indiana Jones and the Wheel of Destiny”.
Hamilton looks at Nolan and in Hollywood
Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, wore a Hamilton watch in Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar.” Worn by his daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy / Jessica Chastain) and developed especially for this film, the Hamilton model even played a crucial role in the film’s plot. Of course, Hamilton watches were also used in “Tenet”.
Meanwhile, “Oppenheimer” star Matt Damon wore one of the manufacturer’s models during his fight for survival in “The Martian.” And of course, Hollywood’s most popular and successful superheroes regularly rely on Hamilton: Whether “Captain America” Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), “Iron Man” Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) or the original “Ant-Man” Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) – just to name a few of the MCU figureheads whose wrists are adorned with watches from the traditional company.
“Oppenheimer“ has been running in German cinemas since July 20, 2023. In it, Christopher Nolan tells the exciting story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who invented the atomic bomb, but then took a critical look at the ever-expanding arms race and quickly became a thorn in the side of American politics. In addition to Murphy, Blunt and Damon already mentioned, Robert Downey Jr. as Oppenheimer’s political opponent Lewis Strauss and Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Dane DeHaan and Josh Hartnett in other roles.