We discovered for you the watch collections of the two protagonists of “Trading places“, the greatest certainty of Italian Christmas.
If you have lived in Italy for more than 15 years, you cannot conceive Christmas without the movie “Trading Places” airing on the 24th evening. Released in 1983, it soon became a classic of winter holidays, because of the subject and the period in which it is set, which make it a perfect Christmas movie.
The plot itself is simple: a wealthy stockbroker is stepped into the life of a homeless man and vice versa, for a bet between two rich gentlemen. It all ends with the discovery of the bet and the revenge of both the protagonists, with a series of funny twists.
We chose the movie for two reasons: for the period, of course, but also for a scene…
In the film, the stockbroker is seen at a pawn shop, trying to sell his watch, a Rouchefoucauld.
Hodinkee magazine has written an article about it, where it presents the new watch by the fantasy brand mentioned in the movie. Unfortunately, it was an April Fool, but it gave us a good idea!
The watches from the protagonists
In addition to the one involved in the movie, the life of Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy is filled with several other timepieces… let’s see some of them.
Dan Aykroyd
The film features Dan Aykroyd, well-known Canadian actor, singer and screenwriter, as the wealthy broker. “Trading Places” itself is his own work!
If his name doesn’t tell you much, think about “Ghost Busters” and “The Blues Brothers”… we think you have no doubt now!
In addition to his career, the collection of this eclectic artist is not bad at all, even if linked to a single brand… Let’s find out together.
Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610
Although he is no longer seen wearing watches, while posing with his bottles of CrystalHead Vodka, in the days he enjoyed some nice pieces.
An example is this Rolex Submariner ref. 16610, with a market price nowadays around 8.000€.
Rolex Day Date Ref. 1803
As almost every star, Dan Aykroyd chose as celebration watch a Day Date, in an elegant configuration of silver dial and yellow gold case and bracelet.
Pieces like this one can be found today around 10.000€.
Credits: Getty Images 
Rolex GMT Master Ref. 6542
Highlight of the actor’s collection is this GMT.
We don’t see him wearing this watch often, but having a closer look we can indentify it as a 6542, by the absence of crown-guards and the bezel.
Are you curious to undersand the differences between GMTs? Have a look to our guide: First and Second part.
Credits: AVW
Eddie Murphy
For Eddie Murphy we can use the same adjectives that we would use for a watch: famous, iconic, historical. But also a few more: fun!
We don’t discuss his career and works, of which we’re great supporters, but we don’t even discuss his taste and collection. Eccentric actor, seems like he’s never been caught in the steel hype.
Big fan of Cartier and lover of the “Presidential” watch par excellence, Eddie Murphy has a really crazy collection.
Let’s begin from Cartier:
Cartier Tank
In this picture of the young actor, we can see on his wrist a Tank Louis Cartier in yellow gold, like the one we’ve discovered in our article about Andy Warhol.
For such a watch, quotes today range between 2.000 and 5.000€, a true icon of last century’s horology.
Cartier Santos Dumont
Another big-shot, pure example of Cartier’s class and charme.
We’re talking about a Santos, but not a regular one: it’s a Cartier Santos Dumont, starting at 7.500€.
Cartier Santos Gold
Young, smart and brilliant. Who are we talking about?
The picture is clear: a young Eddie Murphy with a big smile on his face couldn’t wear anything else but a yellow gold Santos. The perfect watch for the mood.
To get this watch today we have to consider a range between 5 and 10.000€, depending on conditions, box&papers and movement.
Cartier Pasha
Loved and hated by the public, Eddie Murphy decides to move this watch a step forward.
The Cartier Pasha on his wrist is entirely covered in diamonds. We don’t know if it’s factory or after-set, but it fits him really well!
Cartier Tank Francaise pavé diamonds
Years pass and Eddie Murhphy alternates yellow gold with some lighter colors.
In this picture we see him, as always, wearing a Cartier, this time a Tank Francaise with diamonds pavé.
We don’t know if it’s after-set or not, but what’s clear is that, even if chosing diamonds, the actor always goes classy: thin and not too big in size.
Ronde de Cartier
Unmistakeable, with its seconds at 10, the Ronde de Cartier is a watch for few.
Eddie Murphy know this watch pretty well, but the classic version isn’t enough for him. On his writs, in hundred of pictures and videos, we can se a dazzling full-diamond-pavé Ronde de Cartier. Literally something that needs finesse!
Disappeared from the official site, probably out of production, it’s still on list at 60.000€.
Let’s move to Rolex
From a young age we see Eddie Murphy wearing a Rolex. That’s not unusual for celebrities.
This time something is different: it’s not about Rolex, but all about the Day Date, the maison’s most exclusive and sought-after model.
Rolex Day Date 1803
One of the oldest picture we found, where watches and outfit are perfectly matched.
Albeit it still is a 1803, like Aykroyd’s one we previously covered, this example features a black dial and, was probably the beginning of the passion for this model.
Rolex Day Date 118348
The young Eddie immediately understood that gold and diamonds goes well on him, and thus we can see him moving to this Rolex Day Date 118348, with mother-of-pearl dial and diamond indexes and bezel. That’s just the beginning!
Rolex Day Date Aftermarket
Only downgrade is this m.o.p. dial Day Date, with factory dial (and maybe bezel) and aftermarket bracelet. We can identify it from the really small diamonds on all three links, that create a pretty weird look…
In the pic you can see which was the Day Date he probably got customized.
Rolex DayDate 128348RBR
Don’t worry, Eddie Murphy recovers pretty well with these two record pieces.
We’re talking about two Rolex Day Date Ref. 128348RBR with almost identical configuration, besides the metal. Mother-of-pearl, diamond-set bezel and bracelet: Eddie Murphy’s style emblems, if talking watches.
The prices?! Difficult to know… But we can imagine something between 50 and 75.000€.
Hublot Classic Fusion
We close our spotting with a true gem from 1980, something beside the cliché.
It’s the first Hublot ever, now available on the market for around 3.000€.
Has Eddie Murphy moved the timetable?! We’ll see…
Merry Christmas from ItalianWatchSpotter
We take advantage of this Chistmas-based article to make you our best wishes, for a merry (… and watchful!) Christmas.
P.s.: if you are still looking for the perfect gift… we have covered you!
Translated by Lorenzo Spolaor
