Patrick Bateman’s Watch in American Psycho: Was it Really a Rolex Datejust?

The film American Psycho, released in 2000, is now a timeless classic — much like main character Patrick Bateman’s watch, which was long thought to be a 36mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16013.

American Psycho (2000 film) is based on a novel by Bret Easton Ellis, published in 1991. It tells the story of a Wall Street banker in the 1980’s who becomes a serial killer. It is both a psychological horror story and a satirical look at the state of pop culture and lifestyle of rich, young professionals at the time.

Patrick Bateman was later played by Christian Bale in the movie adaptation in 2000, as seen in the shot above.

Patrick Bateman’s Watch in the Book: Rolex Datejust

With Patrick Bateman’s rich and excessive lifestyle as a young, successful banker demanding the finest in designer clothing and accessories, his watch of choice was a Rolex…at least in the book, in which he remarks “Don’t touch the Rolex!” Indeed, in the movie version, Bateman appears to be wearing a classic Rolex Datejust 16013. With Rolex being a “gold standard” as a symbol of success, the Datejust was the most iconic dress watch of the 1970’s and 80’s.

Even today, whenever a watch enthusiast posts pictures of a two-tone Rolex Datejust with a Jubilee bracelet and a champagne dial on an online forum, comments will inevitably be littered with American Psycho quotes and references to “the Patrick Bateman Rolex.”

Patrick Bateman’s Watch in the Movie: Seiko SNJX90

But let’s take a closer look at the watch Patrick Bateman loved enough to murder someone over! Eagle-eyed viewers might notice that Bateman’s watch appears to have a day field at 3 o’clock, and if you pause the movie at the right moments you might even be able to tell that the watch has a 4 o’clock crown. In 2019, the collective wisdom of the internet determined that the real Patrick Bateman watch is in fact a Seiko SNJX90. Indeed, IMDB Pro has confirmed that Bateman never wore a Rolex in the film.

Why the Change?

The reason Patrick Bateman doesn’t wear a Rolex in the American Psycho movie is simple: Rolex didn’t want him to. They had no problem supplying watches for any other character, however.

Rolex agreed that anyone in the film could wear their watches except Bateman (hence the famous line from the book “Don’t touch the Rolex” had to be changed).”

IMDB Pro

A version of the Datejust that seemingly inspired the Seiko SNJX90 is still in Rolex’s lineup today. The Datejust 36 ref. 126233 sports Rolex’s signature “Rolesor” two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel, often with a Jubilee bracelet. While we see the Oyster bracelet quite frequently on modern steel Datejusts, the dressier, form-fitting Jubilee bracelet was very popular when the movie was filmed. The tapestry dial (pictured above, with a vertical-line texture) available at the time has a very “1980’s” vibe and is no longer offered.

Related content: What is the Price of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust?

The Rolex Datejust reference 16013 is both boring and dated but beautiful and timeless. Like all Rolex models, the Datejust has changed very little since it’s first release in 1945. One crucial update was added in 1953–the legendary Cyclops, which magnifies the date display by 2.5x.

In 2009, Rolex released a larger Datejust for the first time–the 41mm Datejust II, which was replaced by the Datejust 41 in 2016. Smooth bezels are now an option throughout the lineup, but the ever-recognizable fluted bezel is inseparable from the history of the Rolex Datejust–the first pressure-proof, self-winding calendar wrist chronometer. Despite being so often imitated, the fluted bezel remains a recognizable Rolex design cue for any watch fan.

We think the Jubilee bracelet looks best on Rolex’s dressier watches like the Datejust, and the Oyster bracelet is more fitting for Rolex their sport and dive watches, like the Explorer and Submariner.

If you haven’t seen the movie American Psycho, it’s a dark comedy that you’ll enjoy if you’re a fan of the 80’s…but be warned, it’s really violent.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Watch in “End of Days”
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Ryan Gosling’s Drive Watch: a Vintage Patek Philippe