Pitt's alaskan watch: a seal team six secret unearthed

Brad Pitt is gearing up for a string of high-profile roles, but a seemingly minor detail in his upcoming film, Heart of the Beast, has sent ripples through the vintage watch community.

A rolex submariner with a battlefield backstory

The film, directed by David Ayer and starring Pitt as a retired US Army Special Forces officer stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, leans heavily on authentic military gear. Costume designer Amanda Neale’s meticulous attention to detail has already garnered praise, particularly regarding the survival kit worn by Pitt’s character, James Belmont. But it’s the watch, a Rolex Submariner 14060, that’s capturing the most attention.

Watches of Espionage, a respected Instagram account specializing in horological research, flagged the specific model – a two-line “SWISS MADE” 14060M produced between 2001 and 2007 – as belonging to Will Chesney, a SEAL Team Six/DEVGRU assaulter who famously wore the same Submariner during Operation Neptune Spear, the successful raid that eliminated Osama bin Laden. Ayer himself confirmed the connection, citing his own Navy veteran background as a factor in the selection.

“It’s a nod to Chesney,” Ayer told Watches of Espionage. “He was a truly remarkable individual.”

The exact watch worn on screen isn’t available for purchase, of course, but similar 14060s are surfacing in the vintage market. A fascinating piece of history, inextricably linked to a pivotal moment in global security. Neale’s work transforming this simple timepiece into a symbol of tactical prowess is a testament to the power of understated details. This isn’t just a watch; it’s a miniature battlefield trophy.

For those seeking a deeper dive into the world of Swiss watches, Esquire UK offers a comprehensive guide to the watch giant.