In Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, One “Dial” Steals the Show: the Hamilton American Classic Boulton Watch

The wait is finally over! Fifteen years after the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, our favourite archaeologist is back one last time on our screens, bringing the beloved franchise full circle after more than four decades of legendary adventures and memorable quotes (“Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?’).

Just like in previous films, the recipe for a successful Indy movie remains pretty much unchanged. In Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, there is adventure (no aliens, thank God) cave-exploring, precious antics, but also one brand-new accessory worn by Indy which caught our expert eye: a watch!

For the first time in the history of the franchise, Indiana Jones is back with a striking addition to his trusted fedora and whip: the Hamilton American Classic Boulton watch.

With its vintage look inspired by the 40s, serif style numerals and sturdy leather strap fit for action, the American Classic Boulton could not have been a better choice for Indy. It is both vintage and timeless, rugged and refined, just like the iconic character portrayed by Harrison Ford. Even those who have no intention of exploring the jungle will find an occasion to wear this special vintage watch. Retro timepieces are back in full swing this summer, so if you’re thinking of purchasing your next seasonal piece, make it Indiana Jones’ Classic Boulton.

The Hamilton American Classic Boulton. Our price: £ 675.00. Available online and in our Richmond store.

The film’s prop masters worked with Hamilton CEO Vivian Stauffer to unearth the perfect wristwatch for our daredevil adventurer, and while other Hamilton watches seemed to have been close favourites, no other piece perfectly expressed Indy’s personality the way the Classic Boulton does. In the Dial of Destiny, we are told the watch first belonged to Indy’s dad, which means finding a model that met the film’s time period - set between WW2 and the launch of Apollo 11 - also came as a top priority for the film’s prop experts.

In an interview for Monochrome Watches, Vivian Stauffer declared: “The production team asked us for watches from the 1940s, so we provided a choice of watches, and Harrison Ford’s team picked the Boulton. And I think it fits the character perfectly.” Of course, as watch experts, we know this Classic Boulton watch would have come a bit after Indy’s time since quartz watches were only introduced in 1969. But considering the film’s flexible approach to time (that’s the only thing we’ll say about the film’s storyline) this is far from being the most surprising anachronism in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

While this may be the franchise’s first (and last) collaboration with a watch brand, Hamilton, on the other hand, is very much used to starring in major Hollywood productions. Hamilton watches have long been worn by famous actors on screen, from Marlene Dietrich in the 1932 film Shanghai Express to George Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven. Now, it is Harrison Ford’s turn to become part of the brand’s rich film legacy, and with Indiana Jones proudly sporting the Classic Boulton on his wrist, something tells us that Hamilton’s perennial timepiece is about to achieve cult status.

Now that we know what wristwatch would accompany our intrepid Indy during all his epic feasts, we cannot help but wonder: what watches would the other Indiana Jones characters wear? 

British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge takes part in the final instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise as Indy’s estranged goddaughter, and honestly, we would have loved to have seen her sooner! Helena is witty and charming, as well as a certified troublemaker. As we watch the story unfold, we realise the contradictions that make this character not only intriguing but also endearing, and this makes us wonder: could there be a Helena Shaw Indiana Jones spin-off in the future? Only time will tell.

For Helena, we would go for a watch that reflects her charming manners and mischievous personality. Herbelin’s Sonates watch, with its quirky Arabic numbers, vintage leather strap and stunning gold-plated stainless-steel case, is a classic-looking piece with a bold attitude, the perfect addition to Helena’s distinctive looks.

Herbelin Sonates Ladies Brown Watch - £298

Some actors were born to play villains, and this is clear for Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who joins the Indiana Jones universe as evil scientist Jürgen Voller. We won’t reveal too much about the plot but those who have seen the new Indiana Jones film will agree: Voller is a cold yet charismatic villain, which means his watch should reflect this side of his personality.

As a man of science, Voller is determined to unlock the secret behind time travel in order to achieve his devious plan. If he successfully travelled to our modern days, he would discover the Raymond Weil Maestro collection, which would undoubtedly be a great fit. This superb Maestro watch boasts an intense matt black dial enhanced with complex open-aperture features and a classic brown leather strap. The rose gold details add a touch of softness and elegance to the piece, but don’t be mistaken, this remains a strong piece with a “masterful” character.

Raymond Weil Maestro Auto Men's Brown Watch - £1350

John Rhys-Davis returns one last time as the endearing Sallah, Indiana’s close friend and partner in crime. In this fifth and final instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise, Sallah only makes a few appearances, but this is enough to satisfy us Indiana Jones fans. In the Dial of Destiny, Sallah lives in New York with his family thanks to his friend Indiana, bringing a happy ending to this character loved by many, including Rhys-Davis himself.

Eternally known as a jovial and loving family man, we would see Sallah with a bright, gold watch boasting a classic style. Rotary’s Avenger watch features a stunning gold case and discreet gold-coloured hands, all enhanced by a simple leather strap. Given its affordable price and captivating allure, it’s certainly a piece that would conquer Sallah’s heart. 

Rotary Avenger Men's Gold Watch - £124

Indy is not the only character who gets to wear a Hamilton watch in the Dial of Destiny. Portrayed by Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, Renaldo is introduced as Indy’s loyal sailor friend. In the film, Renaldo sports a custom Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba, a sensible choice for a man who spends his life at sea. Sadly, the watch would not have been available at the time since the Khaki Navy Scuba collection was only introduced six years ago.

Back in the day, however, there was Certina, known for delivering reliable diver’s watches since the Swinging Sixties. Thanks to its revolutionary DS (Double Security) concept, each Certina watch became a reliable and safe piece of horology, including the vintage Certina DS PH200M, issued in 1967, two years before Indy embarks on his final adventure!

Certina DS PH200M Automatic Men's Steel Diver's Watch - £735