The Tom Hardy Guide to Wearing Jewelry: From Tough Guy Chains to Affordable Rolex Watches

Tom Hardy has been a jewelry guy since before it was trending. In the 2010s, that meant rings, bracelets, beads, watches: you name it, he wore it. It wasn’t always subtle – and we’d leave the necklaces in the decade – but you can’t say he wasn’t committed. These days, the commitment’s paid off.

Now, he’s finessed the art of restraint. He wears a select few pieces that all feel like they’re meant to be there. It could be his grandfather’s ring, which he switches between his thumb and his index finger, or a subtle chain you only spot when his collars open. Even when he’s playing a part, the jewelry matters: in Legend, for instance, he wore Reggie Kray’s actual Omega. Now that’s a man who does his homework.

So, he’s a seriously good reference point if you’re after a steer on how to get into jewelry yourself. And, don’t worry, there’s not a bead in sight.

Let’s start with Tom Hardy’s most important piece of jewelry—and I’m not talking about his Rolex. It’s a ring that belonged to his maternal grandfather, Ray, who died while he was filming The Revenant. When Esquire profiled him in 2018, he was wearing it on his thumb. Nowadays, it’s usually on his index finger.

If you think jewelry isn’t for you, start here: one simple piece that comes with a story. It could be an heirloom, a gift from someone special or a small designer whose work you love. Either way, if you’re connected to it, wearing it will always feel natural—and, one day, you’ll be the one passing it down.

Now, the ear. Jacob Elordi and Drew Starkey have made the low-key hoop the cool-guy uniform: small, easy, understated. At the MobLand premiere, Hardy tried something similar, just louder: a diamond stud. It’s the kind of earring you get first in the studio, so you have to wonder if he popped into Maria Tash on the way to the red carpet. Anyway, it's never too late for an ear piercing. He’ll be in a hoop before you know it.

Tom Hardy’s style is constantly evolving, from his ‘slacker hot’ days to his tailoring era, but one thing that’s always stayed the same is his taste in luxury watches. Sure, as the blockbuster paycheques started rolling in the calibre went up a notch (think Rolex, Omega, all of the biggies), but he’s always used his timepieces to elevate what he’s wearing. Take his look for the season two premiere of MobLand. On top, he wore a casual camp collar shirt by &SONS which, with a Swatch, could read as a holiday shirt. Add his Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition—the watch created for Daniel Craig's final appearance as James Bond in No Time To Die—and, all of a sudden, it’s red carpet ready.

If you’re still unsure on how to start your jewelry journey, take Hardy’s lead with a chain. In the 2010s, he was all about beads and pendants: a whole lot of necklace. Now, it’s usually a thin chain which you can just see. Nothing loud or statement—just a glint at the collar bone that becomes the sexiest thing you wear. The trick is the shirt: undo one more button than you normally would and let the chain do the rest. Connell’s chain, Venom edition.

This story originally appeared on Esquire.com/uk.