Watch firm wound up over Charlize 'contract breach'

Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil is suing Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron for breach of contract after allegedly spotting her wearing a rival brand.

In US court papers, Weil said Theron signed an endorsement deal saying that from October 2005 to December 2006 she would wear only Weil’s high-end watches.

That deal allowed Weil to use Theron’s photographs in its advertisements in exchange for “substantial funds”, court papers said.

Meanwhile, Theron had an endorsement deal to promote a Dior perfume, Weil’s lawsuit said. The 31-year-old actress “was actually photographed wearing a watch from the Christian Dior line” at a March 14 2006 news conference at a film festival in Austin, Texas, the lawsuit said.

A photo of her wearing the watch is included as an exhibit.

A spokeswoman for Theron did not immediately return a call yesterday.

The lawsuit does not say how much Weil is seeking in damages, but the watchmaker’s lawyer, David Jaroslawicz, said his client had spent more than £10 million on the Theron advertising campaign.

Theron won a best actress Oscar for 2003’s Monster. Her films also include North Country, Mighty Joe Young and The Legend of Bagger Vance.