Audrey Hepburn – The Woman and Her Watch

Audrey Hepburn is one of the most famous actresses of all time. She is still beloved around the world even years after her passing. And, she’s one of only fourteen entertainers to claim the coveted title of an EGOT—an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. This is no small feat.

The Early Years:

Hepburn had a natural passion and talent for the arts. As a teenager, she studied ballet in Amsterdam and London. Then in 1948, at the age of nineteen, she made her debut in a musical called High Button Shoes. By twenty-one, she landed her first major role on stage in Sauce Piquante. A year later, she appeared in her first feature film, One Wild Oat.

Later that year, Hepburn relocated from London to New York City. She starred on Broadway in a production of Gigi and became an instant hit with American audiences. Hollywood then pursued her for the big screen. In 1953, Hepburn garnered the lead role in the film Roman Holiday. She went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her character.

The next year, she returned to Broadway to star in the play Ondine and took home the Tony Award for Best Actress. Despite her success on stage, Hepburn went back to Hollywood. She starred in some of her most well-known and beloved roles over the next decade and received four Academy Award nominations for her work.

Her Career:

As Hepburn grew older, she worked in film more sporadically. Instead, she devoted her time to giving back—working with UNICEF to raise awareness about child hunger around the world. It was in the last few years of her life, before losing her battle with colon cancer, that she received a Grammy for her album featuring classic children’s stories and an Emmy for her documentary on gardens of the world.

In addition to being an acclaimed entertainer and humanitarian, Hepburn is also a revered style icon. For the film Funny Face, her close friend Hubert de Givenchy custom-designed her costumes. And in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, she set a new bar for fashion. She became known for her timeless sophistication.

The Watches:

Like every great fashion icon, Hepburn’s look wouldn’t be complete without the right timepiece on her wrist. She is best known for wearing a Dolce Vita. It is one of Longines most famous timepieces. The Dolce Vita is a classic watch, just like her.  The brand also featured Hepburn and her Sabrina co-start Humphrey Bogart in the ad campaign featuring the slogan, “elegance is an attitude” —a motto that fully embodies Hepburn’s sense of style.

Check out our other Profiles in Time, like Princess Diana.