The actress talked with us about the icon's impact, as well as her holiday vacation plans, while celebrating Blancpain's new Monroe exhibition.

When you think about it, there are a lot of similarities between Naomi Watts and Marilyn Monroe. Both have primarily worked in the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/categories/film-tv">film</a> industry and secured a place in the entertainment world as leading ladies. Beyond this, there&#39;s been a significant cultural focus on each actress&#39; looks&mdash;Watts has made multiple lists of most beautiful actresses, and Monroe has been immortalized as a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/categories/beauty">beauty</a> icon who continues to be at the center of nostalgia through makeup products, films, and more. And both are intensely familiar with tragedy&mdash;Watts has often played roles that explore darker themes, while Monroe&#39;s unexpected death and underlying struggles have become an integral part of her story.

Thus, it&#39;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 <a href="https://www.blancpain.com/en">Blancpain</a>&#39;s new in-store exhibition,&nbsp;Timeless Elegance. Celebrating Monroe&#39;s style and legacy, the showing includes several iconic dresses (complete with the figure-hugging silhouettes integral to her status as a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/categories/fashion">fashion</a> icon)&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;portraits by Lawrence Schiller. But the centerpiece is a never-before-seen&nbsp;watch, an <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/design-week-trends">Art Deco</a>-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. &quot;When you look back on her life and what she went through,&nbsp;you see the photos, you see that face, those eyes, there&rsquo;s so much story,&quot; the actress said of her lasting impressions.&nbsp;&quot;I think that everyone relates to Marilyn in some way;&nbsp;they identify with part of her story in some way.&quot;

&nbsp;

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Photo Credit: Monica Schipper

While the actress attributes Monroe&#39;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&#39;s white dress, which made for a photographic moment for the ages when it flew up atop the subway grates. &quot;No one can forget that moment, right?&quot; she remarked. And as we stood in a room featuring three hanging photos of Monroe, the actress couldn&#39;t help but express her intense appreciation for one in particular.

&quot;I go straight to that photo smiling on the right, and I feel like I know her,&quot; Watts said, referring to Schiller&#39;s 1962 shot of her peering over the edge of a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/l-editorial-come-as-you-are-2019">pool</a>.&nbsp;&quot;I just see something really pure and beautiful.&quot;

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Photography by Lawrence Schiller

Blancpain ended up offering the painting to Watts in a surprise moment L&#39;Officiel USA exclusively witnessed. It was an early gesture of holiday spirit&mdash;something the actress, whose film&nbsp;The Wolf Hour&nbsp;debuts next month, was definitely feeling as she thought forward to her end-of-year plans: she&#39;s taking a break from the impending <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/wellness/light-therapy-for-depression-winter-blues">New York winter</a> to go to Australia.

&quot;I try to do that at least once a year,&quot; she explained.&nbsp;&quot;It&rsquo;ll be summer, so I&rsquo;ll get a nice break from winter here. It&rsquo;s such a long flight, but I&rsquo;ve got family there, and my grandmother who&rsquo;s still with us.&quot;

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&#39;s no better way to start than celebrating someone who so greatly inspires her.

&quot;She&rsquo;s unique and iconic and I don&rsquo;t think there&rsquo;s been anyone quite like her,&quot; Watts explained.

Timeless Elegance&nbsp;is on view at Blancpain&#39;s Fifth Avenue flagship until November 23, 2019.

Naomi Watts Sees a Bit of Herself in Marilyn Monroe

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