You’ve seen the side-by-side photos. Ashton Kutcher, looking eerily like a young, 1970s-era Steve Jobs, pacing through a wheat field or hunched over a circuit board in a dimly lit garage. People spent years arguing over whether Kutcher had the "gravitas" to play the Apple co-founder, but there’s one thing the production team absolutely nailed: the gear. Specifically, the steve jobs movie ashton kutcher watch selection.
Most biopics treat accessories as an afterthought. They'll slap a generic "old-looking" watch on an actor and call it a day. But for a movie about a man who once spent weeks debating the exact shade of grey for a factory floor, the props had to be perfect.
The watch that caught everyone’s eye
Early in the 2013 film Jobs, Kutcher is seen sporting a very specific piece of tech history. It’s a digital watch that looks remarkably like a precursor to the Apple Watch, which is kind of poetic when you think about it.
The watch in question? It's a Seiko M159-5028.
In the real 1970s and early 80s, Jobs wasn't wearing high-end Swiss luxury. He wasn't a Rolex guy yet. He was obsessed with the efficiency and "newness" of Japanese quartz technology. The Seiko M159 was a stainless steel beast with a liquid crystal display (LCD) that screamed "the future is here."
If you look closely at the scenes where Kutcher is arguing with Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad), you’ll see that chunky, rectangular silver frame. It’s got that classic 70s vibe—utilitarian, slightly clunky, but undeniably cool.
Why the Seiko Chariot matters
While the digital Seiko gets a lot of screen time during the "garage days," there’s another timepiece that horology nerds look for: the Seiko Chariot.
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Now, this is where the movie gets a bit meta. The real Steve Jobs was famously photographed by Norman Seeff in 1984, sitting on the floor with a Macintosh in his lap. On his wrist was a simple, ultra-thin Seiko Chariot with a white dial and a black leather strap.
Kutcher wears a version of this in the movie’s mid-section. Honestly, it’s one of the most accurate "costume" choices in the whole film. The Chariot is tiny by today’s standards—only about 33mm. Most modern actors would insist on wearing something bigger so it "shows up" on camera, but Kutcher stayed true to the scale.
It’s a minimalist's dream. No numbers, just simple tick marks. It’s the kind of design philosophy that eventually gave us the iPod.
Did he ever wear a Rolex?
There is a brief period in the film—and in real life—where "Rich Steve" starts to emerge. After Apple goes public and the millions start rolling in, the style shifts.
The steve jobs movie ashton kutcher watch for this era is a bit more traditional. Real-life Jobs briefly owned an 18K gold Baume & Mercier, which was a gift. In the movie, you see glimpses of a gold-tone watch during the boardroom battles of the mid-80s.
It represents the version of Jobs that was trying to play the corporate game before he was eventually ousted. He was wearing the "uniform" of a successful CEO, even if it didn't quite fit his soul.
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Accuracy vs. Hollywood flair
Let’s be real: Ashton Kutcher gets a lot of flak for this movie. Critics called it a "feature-length slow clap." But the costume designer, Anette Jensen, went to extreme lengths for authenticity.
- They tracked down the exact year-model of Levi’s 501s.
- New Balance actually pulled old molds out of storage to recreate the sneakers Jobs wore.
- The watches weren't just "close enough"; they were often the exact references Jobs owned.
Interestingly, some eagle-eyed viewers thought they saw Kutcher wearing a Casio in certain shots. While Jobs did have a thing for Japanese digital watches, the Seiko M159 is the primary "hero" watch of the film's first half.
What most people get wrong about Jobs' style
People think Steve Jobs was born in a black turtleneck.
The movie actually does a great job of showing the transition. Early Jobs was a mess—barefoot, unwashed, wearing thrift-store flannels. His watch choices reflected that "hacker" mentality. He wanted tools, not jewelry.
When you watch Kutcher in the film, pay attention to how his relationship with his watch changes. In the early scenes, he checks it constantly, obsessed with time and deadlines. By the end of the film (the 2001 iPod launch), he’s barely wearing one at all.
Real-life Jobs eventually stopped wearing watches altogether. He said they felt "constraining." He moved toward a world where the tech was in his pocket, not strapped to his arm.
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How to get the look today
If you’re looking to snag the steve jobs movie ashton kutcher watch vibe, you have a few options:
- The Seiko Chariot Reissue: A few years ago, Seiko actually re-released the Chariot in a limited run. They’re hard to find now but pop up on eBay and Chrono24 for a few hundred bucks.
- Vintage Seiko M159: You can still find these digital gems at estate sales or online. Just be prepared to replace the battery and maybe the gasket—they aren't exactly waterproof by 2026 standards.
- The Casio Alternative: If you want the "vibe" without the collector's price tag, a classic Casio A168 gives you that same 80s tech-pioneer energy.
Actionable Insights for Collectors
If you are hunting for these specific pieces, don't just search for "Steve Jobs watch." You'll get hit with a million "inspired by" knockoffs on AliExpress.
Instead, search for the specific movement numbers: Seiko 6431-5140 for the Chariot or Seiko M159-5028 for the digital. Check the lugs for signs of wear; these were daily drivers for the people who owned them in the 70s.
Also, keep an eye on the strap. Jobs famously wore his Chariot on a very thin, black calfskin leather strap. If you put it on a chunky modern strap, the whole aesthetic falls apart.
The 2013 movie might not be everyone’s favorite biopic—Sorkin’s 2015 version usually wins that battle—but for watch enthusiasts, the Kutcher version is the one that actually did the homework. It captured a moment in time when a digital display on a wrist was the most exciting thing in the world.
To start your own collection, focus on 1970s Japanese quartz. It's the most affordable way to own a piece of the aesthetic that built the most valuable company on earth. Look for clean dials and stainless steel cases that haven't been over-polished.