While the high-stakes drama and sharp dialogue of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show” keep us glued to our screens, there’s another layer of storytelling happening right on the wrists of its characters. The watches worn by Alex Levy and Mitch Kessler are more than just props; they are subtle extensions of their personalities, status, and the worlds they inhabit. For those with a keen eye, these timepieces offer a fascinating subplot to the main narrative.
This deep dive into the world of Watch Spotting “The Morning Show” (Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell) – WatchRanker is your guide to the horological choices that help define these complex characters. We will look at the specific models spotted, what they say about the individuals wearing them, and why these details matter in the grand scheme of the show’s meticulous production design.
The Power on Her Wrist: Alex Levy’s Timeless Elegance
Jennifer Aniston’s Alex Levy is a broadcasting titan, a woman who has fought to maintain her position at the top of a cutthroat industry. Her style is a masterclass in powerful, sophisticated, and approachable elegance, and her watch choices reflect this perfectly. Throughout the series, Alex is frequently seen wearing a classic Cartier Tank. This isn’t just any luxury watch; it’s an icon.
The Cartier Tank, with its clean, rectangular Art Deco lines, is a watch that whispers rather than shouts. It speaks to a refined, established taste that doesn’t need flashy logos to assert its value. For a veteran news anchor like Alex, this choice is impeccable. It suggests tradition, reliability, and a timeless quality that aligns with her desire to be seen as a trusted voice in American homes. It’s a watch that has been worn by style icons for over a century, from Jackie Kennedy to Princess Diana, placing Alex firmly in that lineage of influential women. It’s a piece that says she has arrived, she has staying power, and her taste is beyond trend.
A Glimpse into a Lost Life: Mitch Kessler’s Complicated Legacy
Steve Carell’s Mitch Kessler presents a more complicated and tragic horological picture. Before his fall from grace, Mitch was the beloved co-host, the king of morning television. His pre-scandal wardrobe and accessories reflected a man enjoying the immense rewards of his success. He is often seen wearing a robust and luxurious Rolex timepiece, such as a Rolex Daytona or a Submariner.
These watches are symbols of achievement, precision, and a certain masculine ideal. They are tools for champions, often associated with racing and exploration. For Mitch, a Rolex represented his peak—the awards, the adoration, the financial success. In the aftermath of the scandal, seeing these watches on his wrist during flashbacks or in his possession creates a stark contrast. The watch remains a perfect, mechanical object, while the man’s life and reputation have crumbled around it. It becomes a relic of a life he can no longer access, a constant, ticking reminder of what he lost.
Why Watch Spotting in “The Morning Show” Matters
You might wonder why such a small detail deserves so much attention. The answer lies in the language of cinema and television. Costume designers and prop masters do not choose items at random. Every piece is selected to build a character’s history, their current state of mind, and their aspirations.
Alex’s Cartier Tank isn’t just a beautiful watch; it’s armor. It’s a piece of her professional uniform that conveys stability and class, especially when her world is in chaos. Mitch’s Rolex is a trophy from his former life, a symbol of the persona he presented to the world—the charismatic, successful “America’s Dad” figure—which makes his downfall all the more poignant. These choices add a layer of authenticity and depth that enriches the viewing experience, making the characters feel more fully realized and grounded in a tangible reality.
Watch Spotting “The Morning Show” (Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell) – WatchRanker
For enthusiasts, the fun is in the identification and the discussion. Pinpointing the exact reference of a Cartier Tank—is it a Louis Cartier or a Française?—or debating the specific model of Rolex on Mitch’s wrist is part of the community aspect of watch spotting. It connects the worlds of horology and film criticism in a unique way.
Shows like “The Morning Show” use these details to tell a visual story that complements the script. When you see Alex in her dressing room, adjusting her Cartier before going on air, it’s a small, quiet moment of preparation that speaks volumes about her character. It’s a ritual. Similarly, seeing a flash of a luxury sports watch on Mitch’s wrist as he sips coffee in his isolated Italian villa tells a story of exile and remembrance without a single line of dialogue.
How to Start Your Own Watch Spotting Journey
If this has piqued your interest, you can begin your own watch spotting adventures with any film or television show. Start by paying closer attention to close-up shots, especially scenes where a character is gesturing, driving, or in a moment of quiet contemplation. Often, the watch is most visible then.
Don’t worry about knowing every brand immediately. Start with the shapes and styles. Is it round or rectangular? Does it have a metal bracelet or a leather strap? Is it thin and elegant or thick and sporty? From there, you can begin to recognize iconic silhouettes like the Cartier Tank, the Rolex Oyster case, or a Panerai’s cushion shape. Online forums and dedicated sites are fantastic resources for confirming identifications and seeing screengrabs from fellow enthusiasts.
In the end, the careful selection of timepieces for Alex Levy and Mitch Kessler is a testament to the thoughtful production behind “The Morning Show.” These watches are silent narrators, contributing to the rich tapestry of the show’s character development. They remind us that in storytelling, sometimes the smallest details can carry the most significant weight, telling us who a character is, who they were, and what they value, all with just a glance at the wrist.