Elle Man [via Google Translate]
Note: for the accompanying photos click here: Session #167 – Mathieu Rainaud
Elle Man [via Google Translate]
Note: for the accompanying photos click here: Session #167 – Mathieu Rainaud
Sebastian Stan has just starred in Cartier’s new campaign for the Santos de Cartier line. The actor shared his special affection for the iconic watch and his appreciation for the brand.
Sebastian Stan is an actor and producer who rose to fame with his diverse roles in Ridley Scott’s The Martian (2015) and Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya (2017). In 2022, his performance in the hit miniseries Pam & Tommy earned Sebastian Golden Globe, Emmy, and Critics’ Choice nominations.
At the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Sebastian Stan won his first award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical . He was also awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 74th Berlin Film Festival, and received the Nouvel Hollywood Award at the Deauville Film Festival for his role in A Different Man (2024).
Sebastian Stan recently appeared in an image campaign for the Santos de Cartier watch line. The actor shared his special attachment to the Santos line in particular, as well as his admiration for the Cartier brand.
Can you share more about your connection with Cartier watches?
Sebastian Stan : To this day, I still enjoy watching classic movies from the 40s and 50s, and I am particularly impressed by the elegant fashion style of this period. I found it very interesting that many actors chose to wear Cartier watches. These designs possess a timeless beauty, both sophisticated and natural. It is not difficult to understand why these creations still retain their appeal today. I have been with Cartier for many years, and to me, the brand’s creations always have a classic mark, never out of fashion.
What do you look for in a watch?
Sebastian Stan : I always think a watch should go beyond telling the time to say something about you. When I wear a watch, I also get rid of the need to look at my phone to check the time. That’s what I like about wearing this accessory on my wrist. But more importantly, a watch also has to have a presence. It’s not just the look, weight and style, but also the feeling when you wear it on your wrist.
What attracted you to Santos de Cartier?
Sebastian Stan: The Santos de Cartier is most appealing for its bold style and iconic design. I particularly love the versatility of this piece, which can be worn with both formal and casual outfits.I usually wear the Santos de Cartier slightly loose, enjoying the movement of the piece on my wrist. It is a pleasure that I cannot do without when accompanying the Santos de Cartier every day. In fact, I have long been fond of this collection and have always been fascinated to see its continuous development. The new versions, especially with black dials and titanium, exude a strong, masculine energy. I am impressed by the way Cartier continues to experiment with materials and harness the industrial spirit in its designs. This is a clear testament to the Maison’s strong creativity.
What does time mean to you in life and work?
Sebastian Stan: Time is one of those things we can’t control, and that’s why it’s so precious. In my career, I’ve always believed that timing is key, from choosing roles, waiting for the right project, to learning to be patient with the whole process. In life, I try to live fully in every moment, and my watch is a reminder to appreciate that value every day
Note: for the accompanying photos click here: Session #167 – Mathieu Rainaud
What do you think of when you hear the name Sebastian Stan? Does the Winter Soldier’s hulking silver arm come to mind? Tommy Lee’s freaky soul patch? That abusive husband from I, Tonya with the questionable pedo-stache? Or perhaps more recently, the pursed lips of a young Donald Trump?
Maybe you think of all of those things when you hear his name, or maybe you think of neither of those things. But it’s undeniable—the man is a shapeshifter. His versatility stretches the boundaries of what is expected of a modern actor, rivalled only by the likes of a handful of contemporaries (shoutout to you, Robert Pattinson).
But I digress—if you look closely, there’s a pattern that emerges in the roles he gravitates toward. Stan tends to take on characters who carry history and notoriety. His performances depict these people from a different time in the past, usually during the peak of their infamy. He is, quite simply put, drawn to the allure of the past. It helps that he’s good at it, too. Some of his best and most iconic works have come from portraying these characters.
His turn as Tommy Lee in Hulu’s hit series Pam & Tommy earned him a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Award’s Best Actor in a Limited Series award. His portrayal of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, most recently, bagged him a slew of nominations from the Academy, BAFTA, and the Golden Globes.
In case you’re curious, the film charts his journey as a young real estate businessman under the tutelage of cutthroat lawyer Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. It’s a dramatised look into how Cohn’s ruthless tactics for wealth and power trickled down to Trump, eventually leading him down the path to becoming the uncurbed president we know today.
Why does Stan love slipping into the skins of men from another time? We can’t say for sure—but one clue might be his obsession with classic Hollywood cinema. The period of the ‘40s and ‘50s in particular captivate him, not just for the performances, the filmmaking, or atmosphere, but for the style. Watching those old reels with grains that seemed to dance, he noticed a familiar object gleaming on the wrists of actors he admired: Cartier watches.
So he started wearing them himself. The Santos de Cartier collection holds special appeal for him—not just for its iconic design thick with historical richness, but for its versatility. Pair it with a dapper suit or wear it slightly loose with a linen shirt on a casual Sunday—it’ll work. Over time, it has become a bedrock of his personal style, which he admittedly feels he cannot leave the house without.
Knowing all this now, it makes perfect sense for Stan to join the Maison as a friend of the house. Earlier this year, he fronted the campaign of the Santos de Cartier petite model debut, which was revealed during Watches and Wonders in Geneva. Just four months later, he’s back under the bright lights of the studio to help unveil two striking new additions to the Santos family: Santos Titanium and Santos Black Dial.
At first glance, the Santos Titanium looks like its steel siblings, but put it on and you’ll feel it is anything but that. Its titanium construct not only gives the watch a matte sheen, but also allows it to weigh 43% lighter and 1.5 times harder than steel.
The Santos Black Dial, on the other hand, flips the equation completely. Its large frame is constructed of steel, but where it sets itself apart is with its half-satin, half-sunburst dial that grants the watch the ability to catch and play with light as it moves across the velvety surface, giving the darkness a sense of depth. I mean, come on, who doesn’t like a black Cartier dial. But what does the man himself think of the new pair?
“They both have a strong, masculine energy,” he says. “I’m really into how Cartier explores materials and plays with that hardware aesthetic— I think it reflects the Maison’s creativity in a powerful way.”
I’ll leave you to admire Stan in all his Cartier-loving glory.
But enough about the Santos, let’s zoom out for a moment. This is, after all, a watch column, but watches aren’t just about design. They’re about time.
Sweating it out for the perfect role, waiting for the right project, learning to be patient with the process of filmmaking—time has pressed itself onto every milestone of Stan’s career, as it does so to every last living soul. But time is an unrelenting and cruel thing, and it runs through our fingers no matter how tightly we grip our fists. For Stan, it’s this very thought that gives meaning to our lives.
So he doesn’t think too much about it—or at least he tries to, by staying present in the moment. In this sense, the watches he wears cease to become a mere time-telling machine on his wrist, but a reminder of the value of time. Well, how does he like his reminder to look like? Besides having a square case with exposed screws, of course.
“For me, it needs to be something with presence,” Stan says. But that presence has to come from within, because beyond its design, it’s about how it makes you feel when you wear it. That, in turn, radiates that energy outwards, telling others something about you with just a glance.
But if you want the more pragmatic reason, it’s this: “I also like having a watch because otherwise, I’m constantly checking my phone.”
I’ve added 8 UHQ/untagged photos of Sebastian from VH1 Morning Buzz hosted by Nick Lachey that took place in 2014 during ‘Winter Soldier’ promotion to the gallery, click below to view.
Surprise! I found a short interview of Sebastian from Berlinale Film Festival last year talking about ‘A Different Man‘. I’ve added screencaps to the gallery and a video of the interview below. Enjoy.
I’ve added25 UHQ/untagged photos of Sebastian from “Roofman” – New York Special Screening that took place last night to the gallery, click below to view.
Surprise! I managed to get my hands on a French Blu-Ray Copy of ‘The Apprentice‘ that featured the full EPK interview for the film. I’ve added screencaps to the gallery and a video of the full almost ten minute EPK interview below. Enjoy.
I’ve added 7 new photos to the gallery UHQ/Untagged of Sebastian at Miami Film Festival GEMS Honors Sebastian Stan With Precious GEM Award. These photos are from Miami Dade College.
I’ve added 6 new UHQ A Different Man Stills as well as 3 pieces of promotional artwork from the japan release to the gallery enjoy.
I’ve added over 1,500+ UHQ Screencaptures from ‘Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers)‘ to the gallery from the film including things from the Gag Reel, Deleted Scene, Assembling A Team To Remember [Featurette], All About Bob, Sentry, & The Void [Featurette] that were also released on digital that are included in the upcoming physical media releases (Blu-Ray/DVD/4K). Enjoy.
I’ve added over 2,000+ UHQ Screencaptures from the ‘A Different Man‘ A24 Official Blu-Ray to the gallery featuring things from Making of, Deleted Scenes, and a BTS Featurette. Enjoy.