On Friday, neo-noir action flick John Wick Chapter 2 will explode into theaters around the globe with a string of appearances by the watches of Carl F. Bucherer.
A follow up to 2014’s blockbuster, John Wick Chapter 2 is the seamless continuation of the story of hit man John Wick (Keanu Reeves) pulled from retirement by an unfortunate string of events.
In anticipation of the sequel, the folks at Carl F. Bucherer graciously extended an invitation for my lovely fiancé to attend the world premiere of John Wick Chapter 2 in Hollywood, followed by an exclusive after party with the cast and other friends of the brand.
If you saw the first John Wick, no doubt you noticed the watches of Carl F. Bucherer artfully displayed throughout the movie. Not just props, these pieces actually contributed to the story line.
In the sequel, the producers not only amped up the action, they made the watches and the brand even more prominent. A sharp eye will even notice the Carl F. Bucherer brand represented beyond just wrist presence (I’ll stop short of a spoiler, here!)
The evening started early with a relaxed cocktail mixer hosted by Carl F. Bucherer CEO Sascha Moeri and some of the brand’s ambassadors, including veteran actor Joe Mantegna. We then headed off to Hollywood’s Arclight Theater for the premiere.
Popcorn and drinks in hand, we settled into our seats. Director Chad Stahelski took to the stage for a quick intro, then John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves took to the mic to introduce the very first showing of John Wick Chapter 2. I have to admit, it was pretty cool watching a movie knowing the entire cast was scattered amongst the audience.
Again avoiding spoilers, I can only say that if you enjoyed the first John Wick, you’ll absolutely love the sequel. 100% action-packed, it’s fast, dark and violent; the perfect escape from the mundane every-day life. I will also advise that if you’re squeamish, well, you just might provide entertainment for those watching you squirm on the edge of your seat (Emily!) Let’s just say Mr. Wick can get rather creative in his trade.
Following our brush with the red carpet, we all headed to the trendy Boulevard3 nightclub for a party with several familiar faces from the movie. Even former NBA star and brand ambassador Jim Jackson joined in the celebration.
As things began to wind down, I finally had time to enjoy some of the watches on display before sitting down to some pleasant discussion about watches with Sascha. Not your typical CEO, he was excited and energetic, treating the movies’ exposure of the brand like a proud parent.
So what does it cost for product placement in such a movie? In this case, zero. Though the brand did provide the watches used in both movies, producers chose Carl F. Bucherer based solely on the brand’s style and ruggedness.
The creators of the John Wick franchise could have easily selected watches from the highest bidder. Instead, they chose the quality and craftsmanship of Carl F. Bucherer, foregoing any placement fee. Zero, none, nadda.
Producing only about 25,000 watches per year, Carl F. Bucherer manages to retain exclusivity with pricing that may pleasantly surprise you. If you’re serious about quality and uniqueness, you owe it to yourself and your collection to check out the brand…and the movie!
Below are the watches of John Wick Chapter 2. See how many you can spot and the other refrence to Carl F. Bucherer in the movie. Enjoy!