Naomi Watts Sees a Bit of Herself in Marilyn Monroe

When you think about it, there are a lot of similarities between Naomi Watts and Marilyn Monroe. Both have primarily worked in the film industry and secured a place in the entertainment world as leading ladies. Beyond this, there's been a significant cultural focus on each actress' looks—Watts has made multiple lists of most beautiful actresses, and Monroe has been immortalized as a beauty icon who continues to be at the center of nostalgia through makeup products, films, and more. And both are intensely familiar with tragedy—Watts has often played roles that explore darker themes, while Monroe's unexpected death and underlying struggles have become an integral part of her story.

Thus, it's no surprise that Watts has a strong appreciation for Monroe, and even sees a bit of herself within the late icon. On Wednesday night, the actress attended the opening celebration for Blancpain's new in-store exhibition, Timeless Elegance. Celebrating Monroe's style and legacy, the showing includes several iconic dresses (complete with the figure-hugging silhouettes integral to her status as a fashion icon) as well as portraits by Lawrence Schiller. But the centerpiece is a never-before-seen watch, an Art Deco-inspired model from the 1930s, that once belonged to the classic beauty before the brand obtained it at an auction.

All of this struck a chord with Watts, who finds Monroe to be an incredibly relatable figure. "When you look back on her life and what she went through, you see the photos, you see that face, those eyes, there’s so much story," the actress said of her lasting impressions. "I think that everyone relates to Marilyn in some way; they identify with part of her story in some way."

While the actress attributes Monroe's striking appeal to an unknown special quality that permeates through all her work, she does have her favorite moments. Within style, she reminisced on the icon's white dress, which made for a photographic moment for the ages when it flew up atop the subway grates. "No one can forget that moment, right?" she remarked. And as we stood in a room featuring three hanging photos of Monroe, the actress couldn't help but express her intense appreciation for one in particular.

"I go straight to that photo smiling on the right, and I feel like I know her," Watts said, referring to Schiller's 1962 shot of her peering over the edge of a pool. "I just see something really pure and beautiful."

Blancpain ended up offering the painting to Watts in a surprise moment L'Officiel USA exclusively witnessed. It was an early gesture of holiday spirit—something the actress, whose film The Wolf Hour debuts next month, was definitely feeling as she thought forward to her end-of-year plans: she's taking a break from the impending New York winter to go to Australia.

"I try to do that at least once a year," she explained. "It’ll be summer, so I’ll get a nice break from winter here. It’s such a long flight, but I’ve got family there, and my grandmother who’s still with us."

It seems Watts has plenty to be excited about with several upcoming films to follow this trip down under, but in the meantime, the actress appears to be taking a much-needed moment to see and do what she enjoys, and there's no better way to start than celebrating someone who so greatly inspires her.

"She’s unique and iconic and I don’t think there’s been anyone quite like her," Watts explained.

Timeless Elegance is on view at Blancpain's Fifth Avenue flagship until November 23, 2019.