Timothée Chalamet is officially stepping into the watch industry, taking a minority stake in independent watchmaker Urban Jürgensen as both a partner and creative advisor.
Summary
- Timothée Chalamet has taken a minority stake in Urban Jürgensen, joining the company as a partner
- He will also serve as a creative advisor, contributing to future projects and brand strategy
- The relationship began through his interest as a collector and developed through a shared alignment of values
- Chalamet has recently deepened his interest in independent watchmaking, frequently wearing models such as the UJ-2
- Founded in 1773, Urban Jürgensen was relaunched in 2025 and is currently undergoing brand reconstruction
A Relationship That Began as a Collector
Urban Jürgensen announced that Chalamet has acquired a minority equity stake and joined the company as a partner. Within the Rosenfield family-owned business, he will hold a position as one of a small number of external investors. He is also expected to contribute as a creative advisor across various brand initiatives.
This marks the first time Chalamet has taken on a partnership role in a company. According to the brand, the relationship began through his engagement as a collector and developed organically based on a shared alignment of values. Unlike traditional endorsement deals, this partnership reflects a deeper level of involvement.
Chalamet commented: “A couple of years ago, a film director I deeply admire sparked my interest in artisanal watchmaking. Not the flashy kind, but the kind that demands years of discipline, patience, and ultimately, mastery. I came to see it as a precise form of expression, much like filmmaking. While one unfolds on an IMAX screen and the other exists within the compact dimensions of 48 by 40 by 10 millimeters, both have the ability to contain entire worlds. When Andy and Alex Rosenfield introduced me to Urban Jürgensen, what drew me in was the clarity of focus—on the watches themselves, on craft, on process, and on getting it right. It felt different from a traditional endorsement, more like a creative collaboration. I’m excited to be involved and to continue exploring this world.”
CEO Alex Rosenfield added, “We want to work together to advance our mission of bringing a contemporary perspective to the world of independent watchmaking while remaining grounded in what has always defined it.”
A Growing Commitment to Independent Watchmaking
In recent years, Chalamet has shown a growing affinity for independent watch brands, wearing pieces from Simon Brette, Franck Muller, and Akrivia. Among them, Urban Jürgensen’s UJ-2 has become particularly emblematic of his taste.
The watch was first spotted during the promotional tour for the 2025 film Marty Supreme and has since appeared repeatedly on red carpets, signaling a sustained interest rather than a one-off styling choice.
It has also been reported that Chalamet has taken a hands-on approach to learning about horology, engaging directly with master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen and other key figures to better understand the craft and production process.
A 253-Year Heritage, Reimagined
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen is one of the oldest names in watchmaking. Its founder, Urban Jürgensen, served as watchmaker to the Danish Royal Court and as a clockmaker to the Danish Navy.
Over its long history, the brand has passed through multiple ownerships. Most recently, it was acquired in 2021 by an investor group led by Kari Voutilainen and the Rosenfield family. The brand was relaunched in 2025 and is currently in a phase of rebuilding, with a focus on preserving the traditions of independent, hand-finished watchmaking while redefining its modern identity.
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