Profiles in Time: Dwayne Johnson

The Rock – A Powerful Part of Modern Culture

He went from the idol of every professional wrestling fan in the 1990s to the highest paid actor in 2016. No matter how you slice it, Dwayne Johnson has made an impact on our culture in the past 30 years. He doesn’t have plans to slow down anytime soon. He’s in the midst of filming a Jumanji sequel and a Fast & Furious spinoff. Then, his latest film, Fighting with My Family, premiers this Valentine’s Day.

PHOTO CREDIT FLICKR

From his early days in the WWE to his breakout role as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns, Johnson has caught our attention. His larger than life appearance and personality have made him instantly recognizable in the ring or on screen. A man of his acumen and stature needs an equally powerful watch to match. That’s precisely why Johnson is such a discerning collector. His taste in watches may be predictable for a man with his build. However, we share in his philosophy for collecting: a watch is a reflection of the person who wears it.

Making a Name for Himself

Johnson was a third generation professional wrestler. However, he hadn’t always set out to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps. He played football at the University of Miami with hopes of going pro. Due to injuries setting him back, he pivoted to wrestling where he officially became “The Rock.” Johnson enjoyed many years of success in the WWE, notching a combined 17 titles throughout his time in the ring. His wrestling career helped gain him celebrity status. Plus, his combination of good looks and brawn made him versatile and gave him mass appeal. Soon, “The Rock” became a powerful force outside the ring, and he transitioned to film.

DWAYNE JOHNSON IN FAST & FURIOUS 7 (PHOTO CREDIT FLICKR)

His portrayal of the Scorpion King in The Mummy franchise opened the door to other hit franchises, like the Fast & Furious. As his talents and popularity grew, he expanded from action films to other genres. He stared alongside Kevin Hart in Central Intelligence and voiced the demigod Maui in the Disney animated film Moana. Johnson also broke into television staring in HBO’s Ballers. Most recently, he landed a hosting gig for a new competition show called The Titan Games.

Johnson’s Assorted Watch Collection

Over the course of his acting career, Johnson’s characters have sported a number of watches. On screen, you’ll often find him wearing a Panerai, Rolex, or Breitling model. His taste off-screen is quite similar. You could easily catch him with a Panerai Luminor or Rolex Sea Dweller on his wrist. However, his personal collection spans beyond tool watches. Johnson also has some dressier pieces, like the IWC Big Pilot and Montblanc Exo Tourbillon Slim.

PHOTO CREDIT WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Despite the recurring appearance of certain brands on and off screen, Johnson doesn’t play favorites. His taste in watches is simple and straightforward. He likes the weight of an oversized model, functionality of a rotating bezel, and legibility of a clean dial. True to his watch collecting philosophy – a watch is a reflection of the person who wears it – Johnson’s watch preferences come as no surprise. Bold, adept, and refined are three words we wouldn’t hesitate to use to describe Dwayne Johnson.