Critically acclaimed political drama House of Cards is a story about the political elite of the USA. Knowing that, you can expect to see fine fashion and luxurious timepieces on many of the characters in the show. It stars Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey, who does a spectacular job as Francis Underwood, a ruthless and conniving politician obsessed with power and influence. In real life, Spacey is a “friend of the brand” to IWC.
Kevin Spacey – IWC Ambassador
As an IWC ambassador, the watches fit his role as Francis Underwood perfectly. As an ultra-ambitious politician, he is always very well dressed but not flashy. His IWC watches are all classy, but often have a larger case size to also give a commanding presence, which could be said about Underwood as well. After noticing the nice selection of IWC watches spotted on Spacey’s wrist throughout the show, I figured I’d have to round them up for the fans out there.
IWC Portugieser Automatic Red Gold
Frank Underwood is most commonly wearing a watch from IWC’s Portugieser (formerly known as Portuguese) collection. Spotted in a red gold case, you’ll see The current Automatic model. It’s noted by its small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and power reserve subdial at 3 o’clock, along with a small date display at 6 o’clock. The dial is also decorated with gold applied Arabic numerals, feuille hands and a railway style chapter ring. While these details give it a vintage appeal, the case measures at a modern sized 42.3mm but with its wide silver-plated dial layout gives the watch a larger look on the wrist. Inside is one of IWC’s most accomplished (and big) automatic movements that can power it for a full seven days, which is around how many days a week Underwood spends politicking. It’s fitted with a dark brown alligator leather strap.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph
Another Portugieser often see on this politician’s wrist is their Chronograph in stainless steel. It uses the same vintage design cues as the automatic, but uses a slightly smaller 40.9mm case. It’s tasteful looks combined with its chronograph function have made this a popular model in the collection. It has a power reserve of 44 hours with a stopwatch function for minutes and seconds, along with a small hacking seconds subdial.
IWC Spitfire Chronograph “Ju Air” Edition
As a pilots watch, the Spitfire Chrono is the sportiest of his watches. It doesn’t go too big or loud like many sports or pilots watches with a low key colorway of a slate dial against a stainless steel 43mm case. Not forgetting the fine details, the dial benefits from a sun-pattern finish and the case from high-polished or silky-matte finishes. It’s fitted with a stainless steel bracelet with a fine-adjustment clasp IWC released in 2012 for a more accurate fit. It features a flyback, function, stopwatch function, two chrono subdials and a date display. This pilots watch is also equipped to handle any flights on private jets Underwood throws at it with a 68-hour power reserve.
IWC Portofino 8 Days
Frank is sometimes seen sporting a watch with a shimmering blue dial. While hard to make out, judging by the case shape, crown and the specific dial color, it looks to be a Portofino 8 Days. Touting a hand-wound 8-days power reserve, the big movement needed is fitted into a larger 45mm stainless steel case. The larger size is played down with the use of a dark dial. But thanks to its distinctive blue sheen, it becomes eye-catching in a much more subtle way than by its big case. The minimalist dial includes a small date display, small seconds subdial and power reserve retrograde. The black alligator leather strap is made by Santoni.
IWC Da Vinci Automatic Big Date
The tonneau-shaped case of his Da Vinci Automatic marks his only non-round watch. The dial measures 43.1mm x 51mm in stainless steel and is fitted to a black alligator strap. The elegant case is perfectly matched with a silver-plated dial and classic railway track markers. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like it could be a big date model.
Hope you enjoyed this roundup of all the fine IWC timepieces worn by Kevin Spacey on House of Cards. Which one is your favorite? And did we get any wrong? Please let us know in the comments below!