Click here to access the main costume index page.
Given that the majority of Jack’s watches cost thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, most fans will not be able to afford this part of the costume. There is some good news however, as I have managed to create homage wristwatches of several of Jack’s iconic timepieces, at a tiny fraction of the cost of the original brands. The price of these vary from around £150 to £300 depending in the exact model and price fluctuations to produce them. Please email me at thedoctorswardrobe@gmail.com if you wish to discuss commissioning your very own one of these timepieces.
According to a conversation with John at a convention, due to the high value of the timepieces, on-set insurance wouldn’t cover them. So for filming, the internal movements of the Rolexes (the most expensive part) were removed in order to sufficiently lower the value to a more insurable amount. The hands were positioned manually for continuity between scenes, I assume some sort dimensionally compatible cheap movement must’ve been installed, as entirely removing the movement means there’s no pinion to attach the hands to.
Although John Barrowman is right handed, he doesn’t wear his watches on his left hand (as is traditionally correct for a right hander) either in person or in character. Instead he wears the vortex manipulator on his left wrist. He wears the pocketwatch on either side depending on the episode, though again the left side is typical for a right hander.
3.1. IWC Portugieser marriage watch:
The very first watch that Captain Jack is seen wearing is a fairly large wristwatch with a black dial. This watch was worn for about half the time during the first series of Torchwood, in addition to the cast photoshoots, though was eventually phased out in favour of the Rolex. Confirmed appearances for this watch include Everything Changes, Day One, Ghost Machine, Cyberwoman, Greeks Bearing Gifts, and They Keep Killing Suzie, though it might have made further appearances. According to Barrowman, the watch that we first see Jack in (presumably he mean this one) was the first watch he got after making some decent money, giving it a personal connection.
It has a relatively thin stainless steel case that’s around 42mm in diameter, with Arabic numerals, and either yellow gold or rose gold dial detailing (indices and hands). Attached to the case is an unpadded 22mm smooth black leather strap with stitching around the perimeter. Though most distinctive detail this watch possesses is a small seconds subdial positioned at the 9 o’clock position. Originally, wristwatches did have a subdial for the seconds before it became common to place the seconds hand atop the other two. Though the standard position for this subdial was at 6 o’clock. The dial and overall look is somewhat reminiscent of a Dirty Dozen watch, used by various militaries during the war.
These details lead me to conclude that this is very likely a marriage watch, for those who don’t know this means that it is a pocketwatch that has been re-cased to convert it into a wristwatch. This is usually done for a couple of reasons, to make an old timepiece more wearable in a modern setting, and/or to sell the pocketwatch case for scrap value if it’s made of a precious metal. Given the gold detailing on the dial I believe the original pocketwatch case would be made in a matching metal. Though sometimes these watches are also re-dialed too so it might not be original. Although many parts on such a watch can be changed, in order to keep the original movement the subdial location cannot be changed. On an open face pocketwatch the crown would be at 12 o’clock and the seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. When rotating this by 90° to fit in a wristwatch case these positions change to 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively. It is not uncommon for such marriage watches to have a more modern dial installed in order to compensate for this in the new orientation.
The thin case also suggests a hand-wound pocketwatch movement rather than an automatic one typical to wristwatches, the rotor to automate the winding adds extra thickness to a movement. The distinct shape of the hour and minute markers lead me to believe that this watch is a converted IWC. The visually closest standard model is the minute repeater version of the IWC Portugieser, as no others have a 9 o’clock subdial, though it doesn’t have the lever on the side to be this minute repeater model. A minute repeater is a complication that chimes out the time when the lever is activated, an expensive feature that was popular before electric lighting allowed easy reading of a pocketwatch in the dark.
Given that this is likely a marriage watch, the exact combination of vintage and modern parts in it might make this exact one unique, there isn’t a reference number that can just be looked up. The best name I can apply to it is an IWC Portugieser marriage watch. It is also possible that this watch isn’t actually a converted pocketwatch and was made this way out of the factory, but either way it definitely uses a pocketwatch movement. An IWC marriage can fetch between three and four figures depending on the example, whereas a factory standard Portugieser typically fetches somewhere in the four figure range, with rarer models such as the minute repeater costing well into five figures.
Jack’s watch’s reference number places the date of manufacture as being sometime in the 1960’s or 1970’s. It features a 34mm stainless steel case, black gilded dial with yellow gold hands and baton indices, and an aftermarket 19mm lightly padded smooth black leather strap. The baton dial did change very slightly over the course of production, though the photos available of this watch aren’t clear enough to be super specific about which sub-variant John wears.
Given that the majority of Jack’s watches cost thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, most fans will not be able to afford this part of the costume. There is some good news however, as I have managed to create homage wristwatches of several of Jack’s iconic timepieces, at a tiny fraction of the cost of the original brands. The price of these vary from around £150 to £300 depending in the exact model and price fluctuations to produce them. Please email me at thedoctorswardrobe@gmail.com if you wish to discuss commissioning your very own one of these timepieces.
According to a conversation with John at a convention, due to the high value of the timepieces, on-set insurance wouldn’t cover them. So for filming, the internal movements of the Rolexes (the most expensive part) were removed in order to sufficiently lower the value to a more insurable amount. The hands were positioned manually for continuity between scenes, I assume some sort dimensionally compatible cheap movement must’ve been installed, as entirely removing the movement means there’s no pinion to attach the hands to.
Although John Barrowman is right handed, he doesn’t wear his watches on his left hand (as is traditionally correct for a right hander) either in person or in character. Instead he wears the vortex manipulator on his left wrist. He wears the pocketwatch on either side depending on the episode, though again the left side is typical for a right hander.
3.1. IWC Portugieser marriage watch:
The very first watch that Captain Jack is seen wearing is a fairly large wristwatch with a black dial. This watch was worn for about half the time during the first series of Torchwood, in addition to the cast photoshoots, though was eventually phased out in favour of the Rolex. Confirmed appearances for this watch include Everything Changes, Day One, Ghost Machine, Cyberwoman, Greeks Bearing Gifts, and They Keep Killing Suzie, though it might have made further appearances. According to Barrowman, the watch that we first see Jack in (presumably he mean this one) was the first watch he got after making some decent money, giving it a personal connection.
 |
| Promotional photos for Torchwood's first series. |
It has a relatively thin stainless steel case that’s around 42mm in diameter, with Arabic numerals, and either yellow gold or rose gold dial detailing (indices and hands). Attached to the case is an unpadded 22mm smooth black leather strap with stitching around the perimeter. Though most distinctive detail this watch possesses is a small seconds subdial positioned at the 9 o’clock position. Originally, wristwatches did have a subdial for the seconds before it became common to place the seconds hand atop the other two. Though the standard position for this subdial was at 6 o’clock. The dial and overall look is somewhat reminiscent of a Dirty Dozen watch, used by various militaries during the war.
 |
| The watch being worn with a variety of outfits during series one. |
These details lead me to conclude that this is very likely a marriage watch, for those who don’t know this means that it is a pocketwatch that has been re-cased to convert it into a wristwatch. This is usually done for a couple of reasons, to make an old timepiece more wearable in a modern setting, and/or to sell the pocketwatch case for scrap value if it’s made of a precious metal. Given the gold detailing on the dial I believe the original pocketwatch case would be made in a matching metal. Though sometimes these watches are also re-dialed too so it might not be original. Although many parts on such a watch can be changed, in order to keep the original movement the subdial location cannot be changed. On an open face pocketwatch the crown would be at 12 o’clock and the seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. When rotating this by 90° to fit in a wristwatch case these positions change to 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively. It is not uncommon for such marriage watches to have a more modern dial installed in order to compensate for this in the new orientation.
 |
| Some close up shots showing the dial and strap of the watch. |
The thin case also suggests a hand-wound pocketwatch movement rather than an automatic one typical to wristwatches, the rotor to automate the winding adds extra thickness to a movement. The distinct shape of the hour and minute markers lead me to believe that this watch is a converted IWC. The visually closest standard model is the minute repeater version of the IWC Portugieser, as no others have a 9 o’clock subdial, though it doesn’t have the lever on the side to be this minute repeater model. A minute repeater is a complication that chimes out the time when the lever is activated, an expensive feature that was popular before electric lighting allowed easy reading of a pocketwatch in the dark.
 |
| Various IWC Portugieser models, note the variance in exact style. The left one is the only factory example, being a minute repeater version. The two on the right are marriage watches that have been converted from pocketwatches through replacement of the case and dial. |
Given that this is likely a marriage watch, the exact combination of vintage and modern parts in it might make this exact one unique, there isn’t a reference number that can just be looked up. The best name I can apply to it is an IWC Portugieser marriage watch. It is also possible that this watch isn’t actually a converted pocketwatch and was made this way out of the factory, but either way it definitely uses a pocketwatch movement. An IWC marriage can fetch between three and four figures depending on the example, whereas a factory standard Portugieser typically fetches somewhere in the four figure range, with rarer models such as the minute repeater costing well into five figures.
After being unable to find a suitable watch for my collection, I decided the best way forward was to make my own replica of Jack's one, below is the result. Built around a hand-wound pocketwatch movement (visible via the glass exhibition caseback) the watch features the same distinctive 9 o'clock seconds subdial that is only possible from this sort of manual movement. The timepiece features a 42mm stainless steel case attached to a black unpadded leather strap, with the dial being gilded with rose gold.
 |
| My homage of the series one timepiece. To register interest in purchasing one of these please email: thedoctorswardrobe@gmail.com |
IWC (International Watch Company) was founded in Switzerland in 1868, and is based in Schaffhausen. The Portugieser model traces its origins back to 1938, when it was commissioned by two Portuguese merchants who requested a wristwatch with the timekeeping abilities of a pocketwatch, allowing it to be used as a marine chronometer. During this period most wristwatches were significantly smaller than they are today, so by using a larger pocketwatch movement, a higher level of accuracy could be achieved than a typical wristwatch movement. A smaller scale means that the components have to be manufactured to smaller tolerances, which is harder to do precisely, which in turn can potentially lowers the level of accuracy that the timepiece can run to. Whilst 42mm isn’t a particularly large case by modern standards, it would’ve been considered huge at the time.
 |
| The 34mm Rolex Date (left) compared to the 42mm marriage watch (right). |
3.2. Rolex Date [1500]:
From midway through Torchwood’s first series, until its canonical destruction at the end of Children of Earth’s first episode, Jack’s favoured wristwatch was a Rolex Date (reference number 1500).
From midway through Torchwood’s first series, until its canonical destruction at the end of Children of Earth’s first episode, Jack’s favoured wristwatch was a Rolex Date (reference number 1500).
 |
| The Rolex Date being worn during these shots from on set. |
Jack’s watch’s reference number places the date of manufacture as being sometime in the 1960’s or 1970’s. It features a 34mm stainless steel case, black gilded dial with yellow gold hands and baton indices, and an aftermarket 19mm lightly padded smooth black leather strap. The baton dial did change very slightly over the course of production, though the photos available of this watch aren’t clear enough to be super specific about which sub-variant John wears.
 |
| John's screen worn watch (left) compared to two vintage examples (right). You can see here how the dial style can change a bit between the exact year of production. There are probably more variants of this dial, I have just shown two here as examples. |
I don’t know whether John wore this watch on a leather strap before Torchwood, but the use of one is a good choice for multiple reasons. Firstly, although metal bracelets are probably the more popular option nowadays, the vast majority of watches in the 1940’s would’ve used a leather strap. Secondly, Rolex’s metal bracelets are all very distinct looking, and the BBC prefers avoiding anything anything that could be interpreted as product placement.
The Rolex Date is a smaller version of the more commonly known DateJust, the latter would’ve had a 36mm case during this period. This choice of a smaller wristwatch is very in-keeping with Jack’s look, with the advent of mobile phones, modern timepieces are often marketed more as jewellery than functional timekeeping tools. This means that manufacturers tend to currently produce models that are significantly larger than those that would’ve been worn for much of the 20th century, in order to be more eye catching. Because of the smaller size being less eye catching, this watch is one of the more affordable vintage Rolex models, typically selling for £2000 to £6000 depending on various factors such as condition.
Much like with the Portugieser, I decided the best way of obtaining an affordable version of this watch was to create one myself, the result is pictured below. Built around an industry standard Japanese designed Seiko automatic movement (as visible through the exhibition caseback), the watch features a bespoke gilded dial that even includes the hand painted luminescent dots of the original. A minor compromise was made in increasing the diameter of the stainless steel case by 2mm in order to physically house the movement, though this is not noticeable unless directly compared to a 34mm model. The tasteful size and design of this watch makes it incredibly versatile, being able to be worn with everything from a dinner suit right down to a t-shirt and jeans without being out of place.
The Rolex Date is a smaller version of the more commonly known DateJust, the latter would’ve had a 36mm case during this period. This choice of a smaller wristwatch is very in-keeping with Jack’s look, with the advent of mobile phones, modern timepieces are often marketed more as jewellery than functional timekeeping tools. This means that manufacturers tend to currently produce models that are significantly larger than those that would’ve been worn for much of the 20th century, in order to be more eye catching. Because of the smaller size being less eye catching, this watch is one of the more affordable vintage Rolex models, typically selling for £2000 to £6000 depending on various factors such as condition.
Much like with the Portugieser, I decided the best way of obtaining an affordable version of this watch was to create one myself, the result is pictured below. Built around an industry standard Japanese designed Seiko automatic movement (as visible through the exhibition caseback), the watch features a bespoke gilded dial that even includes the hand painted luminescent dots of the original. A minor compromise was made in increasing the diameter of the stainless steel case by 2mm in order to physically house the movement, though this is not noticeable unless directly compared to a 34mm model. The tasteful size and design of this watch makes it incredibly versatile, being able to be worn with everything from a dinner suit right down to a t-shirt and jeans without being out of place.
 |
| My homage of the series one to three timepiece. To register interest in purchasing one of these please email: thedoctorswardrobe@gmail.com |
Rolex is arguably the most well known watch brand in the world, holding a leading 32% market share of Swiss watches as of 2024. Originally founded in London in 1905, they moved their base of operations to Geneva after the First Word War. The Oyster case (which is also used by the DateJust, Date, Day-Date, etc.) was created in 1926, and was the first waterproof watch that achieved widespread popularity, though the early case design is quite different from the subsequent versions. The DateJust (which used an Oyster case) was created in 1945 as the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to indicate the date in a window on the dial.
3.3. Unknown vintage pocketwatch:
Throughout the first two series of Torchwood, Jack occasionally wears a silver coloured pocketwatch (attached to a matching double Albert chain) that he keeps tucked away in his waistcoat. He is never seen wearing his waistcoat without also donning this watch.
3.3. Unknown vintage pocketwatch:
Throughout the first two series of Torchwood, Jack occasionally wears a silver coloured pocketwatch (attached to a matching double Albert chain) that he keeps tucked away in his waistcoat. He is never seen wearing his waistcoat without also donning this watch.
 |
| To the best of my knowledge, this is the best shot of the timepiece we ever get. Note how Jack wears it on different sides of the body between these two images. |
As Jack hardly ever reads the time on this, it is never really seen clearly. One of the few things known about it is that it belonged to Barrowman’s grandfather, it also appears to have an open face design.
The timepiece alternates between Barrowman’s left and right lower waistcoat pocket (though the wearer’s left side is traditional for someone who is right handed). As for which waistcoat buttonhole the chain attaches to, he usually goes for the third one down, but sometimes the fourth.
3.4. Victorinox Chrono Classic:
Although it first makes an appearance during the Tonight’s the Night minisode, the first canonical appearance for this wristwatch is during the third episode of Children of Earth. It made its final appearance during Jack’s alien bar scene as part of the Tenth Doctor’s farewell tour. Outside of the show, it was also used for some rare 2009 era Torchwood photoshoots.
The timepiece alternates between Barrowman’s left and right lower waistcoat pocket (though the wearer’s left side is traditional for someone who is right handed). As for which waistcoat buttonhole the chain attaches to, he usually goes for the third one down, but sometimes the fourth.
3.4. Victorinox Chrono Classic:
Although it first makes an appearance during the Tonight’s the Night minisode, the first canonical appearance for this wristwatch is during the third episode of Children of Earth. It made its final appearance during Jack’s alien bar scene as part of the Tenth Doctor’s farewell tour. Outside of the show, it was also used for some rare 2009 era Torchwood photoshoots.
 |
| The Victorinox in all three of its video appearances for Children of Earth (left), Tonight's the Night (top right), and The End of Time (bottom right). |
Unlike his previous timepieces, the Victorinox is a modern quartz chronograph with a price bracket in the hundreds of pounds than thousands. This practical choice makes sense given that it was purchased by Ianto using money stolen from wallets. It can be easily distinguished from Jack's other watches as it is the only one he wears on a metal bracelet rather than a black leather strap. For those who don't know, a chronograph is essentially a watch with a built in stopwatch function, often associated with racing and aeronautical professions, with the most famously used chronographs arguably being the Omega Speedmaster models used by the Apollo astronauts.
I am currently doing a little more research on this model, as there are a few variants of it and I want to be 100% sure I identify the correct one before stating a reference number as a definitive ID.
Victorinox is a company that is principally known for inventing the Swiss Army knife, which remains their most popular product, amongst other bladed items. Founded in 1884, they branched out into timepieces in 1989, though unlike their knives these timepieces are not officially issued to members of the Swiss military.
3.5. Rolex Daytona [116519]:
By far the most expensive timepiece Jack ever wears is the Rolex Daytona that he wore throughout the events of Miracle Day, even the 1920’s scenes in Immortal Sins for some inexplicable reason. At the time of writing, one of these is currently on the market for $30,000.
I am currently doing a little more research on this model, as there are a few variants of it and I want to be 100% sure I identify the correct one before stating a reference number as a definitive ID.
Victorinox is a company that is principally known for inventing the Swiss Army knife, which remains their most popular product, amongst other bladed items. Founded in 1884, they branched out into timepieces in 1989, though unlike their knives these timepieces are not officially issued to members of the Swiss military.
3.5. Rolex Daytona [116519]:
By far the most expensive timepiece Jack ever wears is the Rolex Daytona that he wore throughout the events of Miracle Day, even the 1920’s scenes in Immortal Sins for some inexplicable reason. At the time of writing, one of these is currently on the market for $30,000.
 |
| The white dial Daytona is a distinctly more sporty watch than his previous black dialled ones. |
This particular Daytona is an automatic third generation (2000-2023) model with a white dial, baton indices, white metal case (with filled lugs so there’s no gap between the strap and case), and a factory fitted 20mm black alligator leather strap with deployment clasp. The case diameter of the fourth generation model is 40mm, though first generation Daytona models have a 37mm case.
 |
| Additional Daytona shots, the top right shows the deployment clasp. |
It was surprisingly difficult to find a Daytona with all of these details, but eventually an exact match was found in the 116519, an uncommon 18 karat white gold variant on a leather deployment strap. For some reason this particular dial is extremely rare on this reference number, most white dial versions use Arabic numbers, making Jack’s watch a real challenge to obtain even if you can afford it.
 |
| Dial close ups of the screen worn watch (left) compared to a 116519 (right) that appears to be an exact match. |
Although Rolex had produced chronographs as early as the 1940's, the Rolex Daytona was introduced in 1963 after the company became the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway. First generation models are considered particularly collectible nowadays, and can be seen sported by a variety of very wealthy people. A reference number 6239 Daytona formally owned by legendary actor and race car driver Paul Newman sold for a record breaking $17,752,500 back in 2017.
Fortunately, you needn't pay Rockefeller money for a watch like Jack's. Once again, I decided the best way to produce my own homage to the screen worn watch (pictured below) and ended up being able to do so for about 1% of the cost of a genuine 116519. As mechanical chronograph movements can be expensive and high maintenance, the homage timepiece below was created around a more practical Japanese designed Seiko mecha-quartz chronograph movement, meaning that (other than a battery change every year or two) it will continue to keep good time without the need for regular servicing. Instead of white gold, the watch features a vastly more affordable stainless steel case attached to a black alligator grain leather strap. Although the watch pictured below uses a regular buckle, a deployment buckle option is also available, the former is sometimes chosen by customers for the increased range of adjustment.
 |
| My homage of the Miracle Day timepiece. To register interest in purchasing one of these please email: thedoctorswardrobe@gmail.com |
3.6. Rolex Oyster variant:
For his return during the Whittaker era, Jack sports a very similar watch to his earlier Date. Unfortunately the dial is never seen clearly, but it appears to be a watch that uses a Rolex Oyster case, once again on a similar black leather strap to used on the Date before. The Oyster case is used on the dateless Oyster model, but also others such as the DateJust and Date, meaning it could be any one of these. Possibly Even a Tudor Prince (Tudor is a brand owned by Rolex that produce very similar watches at a lower price point). Given Barrowman has many Rolexes it seems a safe bet that he'd be loyal to that brand.
For his return during the Whittaker era, Jack sports a very similar watch to his earlier Date. Unfortunately the dial is never seen clearly, but it appears to be a watch that uses a Rolex Oyster case, once again on a similar black leather strap to used on the Date before. The Oyster case is used on the dateless Oyster model, but also others such as the DateJust and Date, meaning it could be any one of these. Possibly Even a Tudor Prince (Tudor is a brand owned by Rolex that produce very similar watches at a lower price point). Given Barrowman has many Rolexes it seems a safe bet that he'd be loyal to that brand.
 |
| These are the best shots of this watch that I could find, enough to see the profile of the case and strap but no clear shots of the dial. |
The case size appears to be in the region of 34-36mm, so it could be the same Date as before. Though as that was canonically destroyed I’ll be classifying this as a different timepiece unless evidence to the contrary comes forward. The case is made of a polished white metal, so could be stainless steel, white gold, or even platinum.
This watch makes an appearance for Revolution of the Daleks but it is unclear whether he wore it in the other two appearances from this era, though it seems fairly likely.
No comments:
Post a Comment