All That Glitters: The Most Iconic Jewels and Watches from Cannes 2025

It’s that time of the year again when the French Riviera dazzles under the global spotlight, rolling out its iconic red carpet for the crème de la crème of world cinema. The Cannes Film Festival, long revered for its cinematic prestige, has also been a runway for larger-than-life fashion for time immemorial. This year, the glamour quotient soared to new heights—not just in couture but in the brilliance of statement jewels and exceptional timepieces.

Think Bella Hadid nonchalantly gracing the Croisette in 118.68 carats of Chopard emeralds, or Aishwarya Rai Bachchan making a comeback in a showstopping necklace encrusted with 500 carats of Mozambique rubies and uncut diamonds from Manish Malhotra Jewellery. From haute joaillerie to haute horlogerie, here’s a closer look at the pieces that stole the spotlight at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

Bella Hadid in Chopard

Bella Hadid may have side-stepped the “no naked dress” rule at Cannes with a hip-high slit dress and exposed sides, it wasn’t just the daring silhouette that had cameras clicking—it was the Chopard moment. As an ambassador for the house since 2024, Bella made sure to deliver one for the books, stepping out in a jaw-dropping pair of 118.68-carat emerald earrings and a 12.15-carat heart-shaped diamond ring. Subtle? Never. Show-stopping? Always.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Manish Malhotra Jewellery

After a few underwhelming appearances in recent years, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made an iconic comeback to the French Riviera this year. For her primary red carpet moment, the Cannes veteran chose a custom ivory Kadwa Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra, handwoven to perfection. But the show-stopper was her Renaissance layered necklace, a jaw-dropping creation encrusted with 500 carats of Mozambique rubies and uncut diam, screaming grandeur from miles away.

Natalie Portman in Tiffany & Co.

While Eddington schooled us in cinema at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Natalie Portman delivered a masterclass in shining the brightest in the room in Tiffany & Co.’s High Jewelry from the Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder collection. The pièce de résistance? The breathtaking Wave necklace, crafted in 18k white and yellow gold, set with over 90 carats of diamonds that cascaded like ocean spray around her collarbone. The diamond earrings and a ring crafted in 18k white gold, just added to the drama.

Araya Hargate in Boucheron

Araya A. Hargate stunned in an Armani Privé number from the Spring 2025 collection, featuring a strapless snakeskin-textured bodice. She paired it with jaw-dropping pieces from Boucheron’s Untamed Nature collection, an ode to nature’s wild, unfiltered beauty. Decked out in the Airelles necklace along with white gold rings and earrings from the collection’s ‘Plants and Insects’ chapters, Araya embodied the kind of elegance that thrives in chaos.

Janhvi Kapoor in Aurus

For the official premiere screening of Homebound at Cannes, Janhvi Kapoor served up an Anamika Khanna moment that screamed ‘old world drama’. Thanks to Rhea Kapoor’s iconic styling, Janhvi tapped into one of this season’s most talked-about trends—the backchain. And not just any backchain, but a striking piece by AURUS, a label celebrated for marrying India’s traditional craftsmanship with Persian, European, and pan-Asian design influences. Adorned with custom jade and jadau detailing, the backpiece told a story.

Hande Erçel in Pomellato

Hande Erçel stole hearts at the Cannes 2025, gracing the red carpet in a dreamy pink opal silk crepe draped bustier gown by Giambattista Valli Paris. Draped in Pomellato’s breathtaking ‘Aquamarine Dream’ necklace from the brand’s 2025 High Jewelry Collection, Hande wore the sea itself around her neck—a 37.98-carat cabochon paired with a 15.95-carat pear-cut pendant, echoing the Mediterranean’s hypnotic blues. Matching aquamarine earrings and a Nudo High Jewelry ring sealed the look with a whisper of Milanese magic.

Watches That Wowed

A$AP Rocky in Patek Philippe 

A$AP Rocky made his Cannes debut this year, in a Spike Lee-directed film alongside Denzel Washington. Through red carpets, press calls, and paparazzi flashes, Rocky has been a loyal flaunter of the the vintage Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800. Featuring a sleek midsize case and refined slim profile, the once underrated timepiece is now a cult favourite among collectors for its understated luxury and vintage charm.

Tom Cruise in Rolex

Tom Cruise scored one of the most coveted Rolexes on the planet for the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at Cannes. He flexed a Rolex Day-Date that’s as high-octane as his stunts. But not just any Day-Date, he showed up sporting the ultra-luxe platinum ref. 228236, complete with a shimmering mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set numerals. Who needs spy gadgets when your wrist game is already mission accomplished?

Karan Johar in Omega

Karan Johar made a suave return to the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, and true to form, and brought all the sparkle to it. On his wrist was Omega’s latest showstopper from the Speedmaster 38mm collection, a watch that blurs the line between sporty and spectacular. While the Speedmaster’s legacy lies in space and speed, this new iteration is all about elegance, featuring a stainless steel case, a bracelet with a bezel set with 52 dazzling diamonds, and a lush olive-green dial accented with white subdials, each rimmed with even more diamonds.

Finn Bennett in Chopard

Finn Bennett turned heads in a slick double-breasted tuxedo, and also gave us a subtle flex in haute horology. On his wrist? Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rat watch, a timepiece that was originally released in 2020 to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The watch features a meticulously hand-lacquered rat on its dial—a whimsical, almost poetic choice.

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