Why Hayes Campbells Watch Is So Important In The Idea Of You

Spoilers are ahead for The Idea of You.

From Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) and Solène Marchand’s (Anne Hathaway) first date, the former’s watch becomes a focal point throughout The Idea of You. Directed by Michael Showalter, the Amazon Prime Video rom-com adapts Robinne Lee’s bestselling book of the same name. When art gallery owner and 40-year-old divorced mother Solène takes her daughter, Izzy (Ella Rubin), to Coachella, she has an unexpected run-in with Hayes, the lead singer of boy band August Moon. Although it seems like Harry Styles fanfiction inspired The Idea of You, any resemblance to the former One Direction singer is coincidental.

In fact, Hathaway’s performance and the core couple’s chemistry elevate what could have been standard rom-com fare into something much more interesting. For Solène, her love affair with Hayes is like a second coming-of-age, especially since she and her ex-husband Dan (Reid Scott) had Izzy so young. Although The Idea of You‘s age-gap romance highlights certain elements of toxic, misogynistic, and internet-fueled fan culture, it’s really Solène’s story about coming to terms with herself and her desires. With time playing such a crucial role in The Idea of You, it makes sense that Hayes’ watch becomes a key symbol.

Hayes Campbell Leaves His Watch At Solène’s House After Their First “Date” In The Idea Of You

Hayes Uses The Reminder Of Him To Get Into Solène’s Head

At the beginning of Anne Hathaway’s newest rom-com, Solène isn’t interested in finding romance. She’s seemingly content with her job and loves being there for her teenage daughter. However, her random encounter with Hayes Campbell, a member of the “so seventh grade” August Moon, alters her feelings on life and love. While looking for a bathroom in the VIP tent at Coachella, Solène accidentally wanders into Hayes’ trailer. Before Solène leaves, Hayes is forced to change by his publicist; he needs to show off his latest watch deal while performing on the main stage.

Later, when Hayes tracks down Solène’s LA-based art gallery, he’s still wearing the silver watch. Hayes purchases everything in Solène’s gallery, learns a thing or two about appreciating art, and then joins her for lunch at Los Angeles’ most under-the-radar spot: Solène’s house in Silver Lake. Things turn from easy, breezy flirting into something much more real and vulnerable. Hayes opens up about his fear of being considered a joke, while Solène recounts the terrible moment she discovered Dan’s infidelity, and that she was the joke. Rushed out of Solène’s house, Hayes leaves his silver watch behind.

While Hayes Campbell does text Solène to wax poetic about their brief-but-intense kiss, it’s the watch that really gets the singer in Solène’s head. Lying on the entryway table, the watch almost reveals that Hayes stopped by, but Solène manages to hide it before Izzy spots the watch. When Solène decides to take Hayes up on his offer of visiting him in New York, she wears the silver watch, and it becomes a focus throughout the scene. When she removes everything else, Solène keeps the watch on.

Hayes’ Watch Remains A Focus Throughout The Idea Of You

The Silver Watch Is Something The Couple Pass Back & Forth

While The Idea of You‘s cast of characters waffle about their feelings about Hayes and Solène’s relationship, the ultra-popular musician seems pretty determined to make things work. To him, his romance with Solène is real and rare. Hayes believes that right away, and his gesture of leaving his watch behind reveals that incredible confidence. By putting the watch on — something that’s undeniably Hayes’ — Solène fully surrenders herself to the love affair. Despite her reservations, she decides to be with Hayes, and to wear her vulnerability (and heart) on her wrist, not unlike the watch.

When Solène learns that Hayes has had flings with older women before her, she feels like a joke to his bandmates and their model girlfriends. Even though Hayes tries to convince Solène that what they have is different, she admits to feeling ashamed. Before she leaves, Solène takes the watch off and leaves it behind for Hayes. That shiny, precious relationship is no longer hers, and she returns that cherished thing to him. After the paparazzi flood the internet with news of the couple’s relationship, the secret is out, and Solène’s friends and daughter encourage her to pursue Hayes.

Although their relationship goes well for a while, the internet hate and abuse become too much, especially when things start to impact Izzy. Again, Hayes leaves the watch behind for Solène — a calling card and a promise. Although Solène makes Hayes swear that he’ll pursue a shot at love and happiness if he gets it, they agree that maybe, just maybe, they’ll be able to rekindle their romance in five years since Izzy will be away at college.

The Watch In The Idea Of You Is The Perfect Symbol Of Hayes & Solène’s Relationship

Time Is A Significant Theme In The Idea Of You

The importance of Hayes Campbell’s watch is even more apparent by The Idea of You‘s ending. Five years pass and Solène watches Hayes perform on the Graham Norton Show. When the host asks Hayes where he plans to go, the musician reveals he’s headed to Los Angeles. In the end, Hayes Campbell does show up at Solène’s art gallery to reignite their romance. While the pair’s age-gap relationship takes center stage, their relationship is all about timing in other ways too. That said, it makes sense that one of The Idea of You‘s key symbols is a watch.

The Idea of You (2024)

Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn’t long before Hayes’ superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.
 

Director

Michael Showalter

Release Date

May 2, 2024

Writers

Robinne Lee , Michael Showalter , Jennifer Westfeldt

Cast

Anne Hathaway Nicholas Galitzine , Ella Rubin , Annie Mumolo , Reid Scott , Perry Mattfeld , Jordan Aaron Hall , Mathilda Gianopoulos

Runtime

115 Minutes