5 watch moments in March 2026 – from Zendaya’s Rolex at the Oscars to Tag Heuer’s new boss

The watch world is waiting with bated breath for Watches & Wonders in April, but March was not short on high horology highlights. At the Oscars, stars stepped out in stunning pieces, from Zendaya wearing Rolex to Ryan Coogler flashing a Cartier watch. Grand Seiko named a new, almost inevitable ambassador, Tag Heuer picked its new CEO, and even the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève’s (GPHG) jury sees itself under new management. Independent brands shone this month, with pieces from black-and-gold complication watches to ones inspired by unique Japanese lacquerwork and even Abbey Road Studios.

All eyes were on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre as the 98th Academy Awards were announced this month. Many of Hollywood’s finest stunned not just in their on-screen performances or looks for the evening, but in their choice of wristwear. After being named Rolex ambassador in October, Zendaya paired a custom Louis Vuitton gown with an all-diamond Rolex Lady Datejust as she presented the best director award with her The Drama co-star Robert Pattinson.

Best director nominee Ryan Coogler and best male actor winner Michael B. Jordan made headlines for their combined work on Sinners, which took home four Oscars total. Coogler and Jordan received their accolades while showing off vintage watch knowledge – the former sported a Cartier Tank à Guichet, while the latter wore a vintage Piaget watch, also in a square silhouette.

This may well be a banner year for watch ambassadors, and Grand Seiko has now given us one that feels almost inevitable – the brand has signed Japanese superstar and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani as its latest representative. Ohtani is no stranger to the brand or the Seiko family, having been spotted in an SBGJ217 during a press conference for the Dodgers, per Hodinkee, as well as previously launching several models with former parent brand Seiko for its Prospex line.