This year, Idris Elba picked up a new title. Announced in the 2026 New Year Honours and made official by King Charles at Windsor Castle in June, his knighthood recognises his services to young people. It's hard to think of a better fit for Polite Boy of the Month.
A gentleman off screen
Most people know Elba as Stringer Bell in The Wire or DCI John Luther, but this honour wasn't for his acting. In 2022, he and his wife Sabrina co-founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which supports education, youth advocacy and community projects, and he has spent years speaking up about knife crime and the need for real, practical support for young people.
It's personal for him, too. At 18, a grant from what was then the Prince's Trust helped him attend the National Youth Music Theatre. Today he's a goodwill ambassador for the same charity, now the King's Trust.
Style that works at any price
Elba's wardrobe moves easily between sharp tailoring and relaxed weekend wear, and his watch collection is just as versatile. He's been photographed wearing an IWC Mark XVIII pilot's watch, a steel Cartier Santos 100 and a classic yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with a black dial, and he has fronted Gucci's 25H watch campaign.
Our favourite detail, though, is a much humbler one. Elba has been spotted more than once wearing a gold-tone Casio digital watch that costs around $65. It's the perfect reminder that great style has nothing to do with price. It's about wearing what you love, with confidence.
Get the look
If a day-date is your idea of a grown-up watch, our Baby Blue Day Date and Green Arabic Day Date both pair a full day and date display with an automatic Miyota movement and sapphire crystal. For a clean, no-nonsense tool watch in the spirit of a classic pilot's piece, try the PBC Field Nato. And for something fun and affordable to wear every day, the Snowy comes in a whole range of colours.
Talented, generous and just as happy in a budget Casio as a gold Rolex, Sir Idris Elba is our November Polite Boy of the Month.