A deep-tanned Sean Connery as 007 on a beach donning a light blue cotton knit short-sleeve polo shirt and flat front trousers with a Rolex Submariner strapped on his wrist is arguably one of the most iconic and enduring images in the history of the James Bond franchise. It’s widely believed that the watch is actually Connery’s. And he’s not the only big name in Hollywood who’s worn their own Rolex in a movie scene – there’s Marlon Brando when he played Colonel Kurtz in “Apocalypse Now”, and Paul Newman in “The Color of Money”.

Movie cameos notwithstanding, Rolex has built meaningful ties with the world of cinema that span decades. The brand, for instance, has established mentoring programmes for young filmmakers, and has more recently entered a long-term partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, and counts among its ambassadors, or “testimonees”, directors Kathryn Bigelow, James Cameron, Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Martin Scorsese – all Academy Award winners.

We get to know these incredibly talented members of the Hollywood elite here.

Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow will go down in history as the first and only woman (to date) to win an Academy Award for Best Director. Known for her provocative choice of topics – many of which touch on political and social issues – she has redefined the landscape of cinema. Her 2008 movie “Hurt Locker” tackles PTSD, while “Zero Dark Thirty” narrates the dramatic events that led to Osama Bin Laden’s capture; both won her Academy Awards. As she continues to rally behind raising awareness for social injustices, she directed another film called “Detroit”, which explores race-related violence in the US and is based on the 1967 Detroit riots. We wait with bated breath what Bigelow has lined up next.

James Cameron

Chances are, we’ve all seen a film either directed or written, if not produced by James Cameron. In the last three decades, he’s brought us among the most memorable films in cinematic history, including “The Terminator”, “Aliens”, “The Abyss”, “True Lies”, “Titanic” and “Avatar”. Notably, “Titanic” won a staggering 11 of the 14 Academy Award nominations it received, which included those won by Cameron himself: Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing. Driven by the desire to transport his viewers into the realities he creates in his films, Cameron has, and continues to push the bounds of visual effects and cinematography.

Alejandro Iñárritu

The fearless and unapologetic way Alejandro Iñárritu approaches the raw and at times ugly side of human nature is second to none. And his powerful storytelling has Hollywood’s attention. He has won two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Director, first for “Birdman”, and then “The Revenant”. Hailing from Mexico, Iñárritu has earned his rightful place among Hollywood legends, directors John Ford and Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

Martin Scorcese

Martin Scorsese requires no introduction. A stalwart in the industry, Scorsese is an exceptional director, producer and screenwriter, whose career spans half a century. His name is attached to some of the greatest films ever made, including classics “Mean Streets”, “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull”. Today, Scorsese continues to astound us with the masterful way he tells a story – with stunning artistry, mystique and authenticity. And we can only hope that he continues to make films for many more years to come.