Watch Profiles. Bond’s Best Watches. James Bond’s best timepieces, from Connery to
Craig.
There is perhaps no other wrist that has yielded the same cultural influence as 007’s. For
almost sixty-five years, his wrist was home to robust and great-looking watches that always
got people talking.
Oftentimes, they were used as weapons but sometimes, they were simply there to look
good. Either way, they made movie history. From the first to the current 007, here’s
a quick rundown of the best watches worn by Bond, James Bond.
Let’s start with the first ever James Bond – Sean Connery. While the James Bond novel
was first created in 1953, it was only adapted on film in 1962 with Dr. No - starring the
Scottish actor.
The deadly charm and cool sophistication of Connery’s James Bond was paired with none
other than the iconic Rolex Submariner. Reference 6538 has a special place in history as the
original Bond Submariner.
Produced between 1954 and 1959, the Big Crown Submariner was worn in several Connery Bond
films such as, "From Russia With Love". It also appeared in "Goldfinger", where he famously
illuminated the watch dial with his lighter. This is perhaps the most famous screen appearance
of the 6538. The watch also appeared in Thunderball, where he wore it with a wrapped strap. Look
closely and you'll see the watch on his wrist.
Dubbed the Big Crown, this Rolex Submariner is characterized by its oversized crown and
lack of crown guards.
Aside from the Bond connection, these features distinguish it from the rest of the Submariner
family.
Following Sean Connery’s 7-movie run was Australian actor George Lazenby. He only played
the role once, in the film "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service."
Nonetheless, he got to wear two timepieces in the films. First, is the Rolex Submariner
reference 5513, which was the watch most frequently worn by James Bond, after the 6538.
George also wore the Pre-Daytona Rolex Chronograph ref 6238, which is a fairly rare watch and
served as inspiration for modern aesthetic watches in the 60's.
Just like George Lazenby, the next Bond, actor Roger Moore, wore a Submariner. But he also
donned two other Rolex watches in his three-film stint as the British spy agent.
It was during Moore’s time that James Bond’s watches began having weaponry functions.
He strapped on a Rolex GMT Master for these films, alongside Hamilton LED and Seiko watches,
which were on-trend during the quartz revolution.
In 1985's "A View to A Kill", James Bond and the MI-6 agents continue to be loyal to Seiko.
In his last film as agent 007, Roger Moore mistakenly wore his personal Rolex Datejust
in one of the scenes. Thus, it made a scene-stealing cameo.
This film also marked the end of Seiko's participation in the Bond film franchise.
Following Roger Moore, was Timothy Dalton who played James Bond in two films – "The
Living Daylights" and "License to Kill".
In "The Living Daylights", he wore a TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive, but the Bond franchise
eventually returned to the Rolex Submariner in "License to Kill".
A few years after, Pierce Brosnan would debut as James Bond, and it would mark the end of
Rolex’s appearances in the movie franchise.
In came Omega, starting with 1995’s "Goldeneye". He wore the quartz version of the Omega Seamaster
Professional 300 in the first film. Then the Omega Seamaster Professional ref 2531 in his
next three films, "Tomorrow Never Dies", "The World Is Not Enough", and "Die Another Day".
In 2006, British actor, Daniel Craig debuted as James Bond, and their partnership with
Omega continued.
Omega Seamaster, specifically, would be the choice watch of Bond. In "Casino Royale", he
wore the Omega Seamaster Diver 300. And in the same film, he wore the Omega Seamaster
Planet Ocean ref 2900, alternately.
In 2012, the film "Skyfall" marked the 50th year of James Bond on the silver screen. For this
film, Omega created the special edition Seamaster Planet Ocean 600, with a limited run of 5,007
pieces. Craig wore a version that was especially created for the film, which was later on auctioned
by Christie’s.
And finally, in the latest Bond film, 2015’s "Spectre", Daniel Craig returned on screen and
wore an Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre. The watch was inspired by the original Omega Seamaster
300 from the 1960’s.
The 25th Bond film is slated for release in 2019, and all we know for now is that Daniel
Craig will be back for his fifth and final performance as the 007 agent.
No matter who plays the next James Bond, we are always excited to see Agent 007’s watch,
just as you surely are. What’s your favorite James Bond watch? Let us know in the comments
section.