For the new movie Good Fortune, Craft + Tailored founder Cameron Barr not only selected and sourced all of the watches, he portrays himself in a scene with actor Seth Rogen.
While appearing in a major motion picture was exciting, Barr says the experience was even richer because watches play a real role in Good Fortune’s plot and are not just props. Showing the character and symbolism of vintage watches on screen reminded Barr how much he appreciates his career and the watch community.
“It was overwhelming in a good way,” he says. “This is something that’s bridging the gap between the commercial, day-to-day elements of what I do with my love for what I do—it’s what I’m passionate about.”
Good Fortune, in theaters now, was written and directed by Aziz Ansari, who costars in the R-rated comedy with Rogen, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Oh, and Keke Palmer. Reeves plays Gabriel, a kind yet befuddled angel who meddles in the lives of two humans, forcing wealthy entrepreneur Jeff (Rogen) to switch lives with his assistant, a gig worker named Arj (Ansari).
Barr had met Ansari when the actor was working on his Netflix show Master of None and wanted to learn more and buy vintage watches from Craft + Tailored. The two became friends, and Ansari brought Barr onto Good Fortune (which Ansari coproduced) to serve as watch consultant. The movie’s watches tell the viewer something about the characters and help move the plot forward in several scenes, Barr says.
The film’s main watch is a 1978 18k gold Rolex Daytona with the inscription “Pretty Baby” on its case. Barr, playing himself, sells Jeff the watch as a 40th birthday present to himself. Later, the Rolex is worn by Arj when the men have switched lives—and Jeff tries to steal it from him.
“Because it’s yellow gold, you instantly recognize that it’s important and special,” says Barr. “It has this mythical pull.… It touches on success, validation, vanity, the allure of material advantage. It shows that character’s definition of success.”
Two additional watches play important roles in Good Fortune. One is a 1978 Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi” watch, worn at different times in the movie by both Jeff and Arj. This is their daily driver, Barr says, a watch they wear to show they have taste and confidence.
“That Pepsi insert makes the watch more visually recognizable. As these characters switch lives, you can see when one is in this moment of success and the other isn’t,” says Barr. “It’s a visual cue and identifier for both characters.”
Both characters also wear a Seiko SKX007, which came from Ansari’s personal collection, Barr says. This iconic Seiko watch represents affordability, honesty, and functionality. Barr calls it the “anti-flex flex,” because it’s rare, collectible, and impressive in a subtle way.
“It was a big honor to be in the film, but it also felt like a responsibility,” Barr says. “It was great to be recognized and have watches treated with such care as a part of the [filmmaking] process.”
Top: Cameron Barr (right) appears in a Good Fortune scene with star Seth Rogen. (Photos courtesy of Craft + Tailored and Lionsgate)
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