Sebastian Stan on Returning to Romania, Chasing Character-led Roles and the Watch he Keeps Coming Back to
Sebastian Stan remembers the first time he wore a Cartier watch to a premiere. “It was one of those quiet, grounding moments just before stepping onto the carpet, when everything slows down for a second, and you realise you are stepping into a new chapter,” he says. The moment stayed with him, and so did the watch.
It’s been a busy few years for the Romanian-born actor. Since earning acclaim for his performance in A Different Man and drawing headlines for his portrayal of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, Stan’s recent filmography has ranged from intimate character studies to big-budget studio releases. Most recently, he returned to his roots in “Fjord,” Romanian director Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or-winning drama, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
Actor and Cartier ambassador Sebastian Stan
Despite the attention that comes with an increasingly varied body of work, Stan still describes himself as an observer. “I think I’m curious,” he says. “I like to understand how things work, people especially.”
Stan was born in Romania and moved to the United States as a child, an experience that has nurtured his adaptability on screen. “I think acting came out of that, just trying to understand people, their rhythms and contradictions,” he says. Acting began in high school through theatre productions before he went on to study at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, whose alumni include actors such as Calista Flockhart and Roger Bart. “I got into high school, doing plays, and it sort of clicked,” he recalls.
What fuels his interest in acting today is much the same thing that drew him to the craft in the first place. “What kept me in it is the constant evolution, that feeling that you are constantly discovering something new, not just about your character, but about yourself.” While many actors would happily settle into a successful franchise role, Stan has increasingly sought out projects that challenge him in different ways.
“I have reached a point where I am really trying to be intentional about what I choose, projects that feel more personal and character-led,” he says. “I’ve always tried to find something in the character that feels real and worth exploring. That’s where it gets interesting for me.”
He describes himself as more private than people might expect. “Moving around a lot growing up made me more of an observer,” he says. “I always try to stay grounded; family has always been a big part of that. I’m probably more private than people expect; I value that separation.” Those qualities – restraint, confidence and a preference for substance over noise – also happen to align nicely with the watch he is wearing.
Sebastian Stan wears the Santos de Cartier Chronograph
Stan fronts Cartier’s latest Santos de Cartier Chronograph campaign, showcasing a watch that builds upon one of the maison’s most important designs. The Santos story dates to 1904, when Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont asked founder Louis Cartier to create a watch that would allow him to read the time while flying. The result became one of the earliest modern wristwatches and one of Cartier’s most enduring creations.
The new Santos de Cartier Chronograph revisits a model first introduced in 2020. Available in steel, steel and gold, and full-gold versions, the latest watch refines the formula with a cleaner dial, improved proportions and enhanced legibility. Three chronograph counters track seconds, minutes and hours, while Cartier’s signature square case, exposed screws and faceted blue crown remain firmly intact.
Sebastian Stan fronts Cartier’s latest campaign for the Santos de Cartier Chronograph
For Stan, the appeal is in the balance of the watch. “What I appreciate is its restraint,” he says. “The Santos has a very strong identity, and this version builds on that without overcomplicating it.” He points to the way the chronograph function has been incorporated into the design. “The chronograph feels integrated, not added. It brings a certain precision and purpose, while the design remains clean, almost effortless.”
The watch itself reflects the pioneering spirit of Santos-Dumont, whose pursuit of speed and innovation helped define the early days of aviation. It’s important to note, however, that the latest version has also been designed with everyday wear in mind – a quality Stan particularly appreciates. “The Santos has always stood out to me,” he says. “There’s a clarity to its design that feels both classic and modern at the same time.”
He has been wearing Cartier for several years and continues to return to the collection. “It doesn’t try too hard; it just exists with confidence,” he says. “And that versatility, the way it transitions so naturally from formal to everyday, is what makes it timeless.”
Sebastian Stan wears the Santos de Cartier Chronograph
For Stan, watches are deeply intimate. “I’ve always seen a watch as more than an accessory,” he says. “It’s one of the few things you wear every day that quietly accumulates meaning.”
Over time, he says, watches become linked to memories and milestones. “They become tied to moments, milestones and experiences,” he says. When asked whether he actually uses the chronograph function, he laughs. “Probably not.”
He’s quick to add, however, that he likes the idea of using it in a “personal way, like timing a workout, a run or even just a moment I want to hold onto a little longer.” It’s a fitting answer from an actor who has spent much of his career searching for characters worth understanding. Whether discussing a role or a watch, the attraction seems to lie less in spectacle than in the stories attached to it. And indeed, some stay with you long after the moment has passed.
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