A Seiko in Disguise: A Symbol of Superficiality in 80s Yuppie Culture
Why the SNXJ90 is the Perfect Watch for Patrick Bateman
No other film could criticise 80’s Yuppie culture quite like Mary Harron’s sick-fuck thriller American Psycho (2000). Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, for nearly two hours we follow the entrails of a deranged investment banker Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) as he attempts to rub shoulders with the wealthy, and achieve peak male perfection.
The term Yuppie began appearing in the 1980s. It is a derogatory title (coined by writer Joseph Epstein and journalist Dan Rottenberg) for young successful business folks — specifically the arrogant, undeservedly wealthy and obnoxious kind. There are elements of extreme materialism, superficiality, and gloating of their successes that just makes yuppies so distinct.
“I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust…” — Patrick Bateman.
Patrick Bateman is the extreme embodiment of that culture. At his core, he’s materialistic, superficial, egotistical, and violent. He yearns for some form of validation, so he familiarised himself with expensive restaurants, custom suits, and business cards.
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But the genius in American Psycho should not only be credited to Christian Bale’s unbelievable performance, Mary Herron’s direction, or Bret Easton Ellis’ writing. I believe there is also genius in their choice of timepiece.
Ever since the film was released, we believed Bateman rocked a period-appropriate two-toned Rolex Datejust 16013. This was never explicitly stated in the movie, but his lavish, corporate lifestyle made all of us fill in the blanks. After all, nothing screams ducktales money and villainous intent in Hollywood films like a gold Rolex.
However, when Blu-Ray versions hit the shelves, eagle-eyed folks were able to identify that the watch was, in fact, NOT a Rolex. Instead, it was the SNXJ90 — an inexpensive Seiko 5.
And that is actually perfect.
Lead costume designer Isis Mussenden detailed that the film failed to receive permission from Rolex to use their watches. Plus, with budget issues at hand, it seemed impossible to fit any of the big watch brands we’re so familiar with. But then, they found Seiko.
The SNXJ90’s jubilee bracelet and two-toned colorway is eerily similar to the aforementioned Datejust. If you glanced from a distance, you’d probably mistake it for a Rolex — hell, that’s what we all thought. The only difference discernable would be the crown located at the four o’clock position (its three o’clock for the Datejust).
It’s unexpected, yes, but a rather fitting choice nonetheless. While Bateman himself is the human embodiment of extreme yuppie culture, the Seiko symbolised the internal turmoil between his projected image of wealth versus his insecurities. The timepiece has an understated elegance that aligns with Bateman’s desire to blend seamlessly into the higher-ups, but its affordability and sheer reliability undermines his materialistic facade — revealing a deeper irony in his character and the superficiality of his existence.
A perfect marriage, if you will. Like salt and pepper. Or TikTok and brain rot. Or, in our case, like James Bond and his Omega (or Rolex, depends on which 007 is preferred). Either way, this is another perfect example of the role of timepieces in cinema, and how it helps define characters.
