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actorSpotted June 2023

Actor Tom Hardy spotted wearing a Omega

actor Tom Hardy spotted wearing a Omega
Who & what: Tom Hardy Spotted Wearing 18K Yellow Gold Omega De Ville Tonneau Diamond Bezel Vintage Dress Watch – Reggie Kray's Personal Timepiece in Legend (2015)

In Brian Helgeland's 2015 crime biopic Legend, Tom Hardy portrays both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, the twin gangsters who dominated London's underworld in the 1960s. The production team went to considerable lengths to source period-accurate wardrobe and accessories, and the Omega worn by Hardy as Reggie is not a replica — it is documented as Reggie Kray's own personal watch, a detail that elevates the sighting from a simple celebrity spot to a genuine piece of criminal history on a wrist.

The watch itself is an 18K yellow gold Omega De Ville, most likely dating from the mid-to-late 1970s, featuring the distinctive tonneau — barrel-shaped — case that was fashionable in that era. The white lacquered dial carries Roman numerals rendered in a refined, classical style, with dauphine-style gold hands. The bezel is set with a single row of round brilliant-cut diamonds, adding considerable presence without abandoning the restrained elegance expected of a serious dress watch. The integrated gold mesh bracelet, known as a milanese or rice-grain style in Omega's catalogue of the period, flows seamlessly from the case — a construction that required considerable goldsmithing skill and added significantly to the piece's weight and cost.

Vintage Omega De Ville tonneau pieces in 18K gold with diamond bezels occupy a specific and increasingly appreciated niche in the collector market. Once somewhat overlooked in favour of sportier references, these 1970s solid-gold dress watches have found renewed appreciation among collectors drawn to their handcraft, precious metal content, and unambiguous statement of prosperity. The diamond bezel variant commands a premium over plain-bezel equivalents.

For Reggie Kray, a watch of this specification was entirely consistent with his persona. Unlike his twin Ronnie, Reggie cultivated an image of suave, controlled elegance — well-tailored suits, legitimate business fronts, and accessories that projected wealth earned and displayed with taste. An 18K gold Omega with diamonds was exactly the kind of object Reggie would have chosen.

On the grey market, comparable 1970s 18K gold Omega De Ville tonneau pieces with diamond bezels and original mesh bracelets in good condition typically trade between $3,500 and $8,000 depending on provenance and condition. Kray provenance would make this specific example essentially priceless as a collectible.

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