It’s no surprise that when it comes to saving the world, history’s most famous spy always arrives bang on time. Ask Goldfinger, Dr. No, Ernst Blofeld, Spectre, or any of his other evil adversaries and they’ll tell you that the suave, sharp-suited, and shaken not stirred Bond is never without the obligatory watch.
As perhaps the most famous movie franchise a premium watch brand can be associated with, we’ve put together a list of seven of the best timepieces worn by James Bond, over the years.
1. ROLEX SUBMARINER 6538 BIG CROWN
- Sean Connery
- Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball
- 1962 – 1965
There’s no doubt that Sean Connery turned the standard Rolex Submariner into a global icon when he wore one for the first four films. An interesting legend behind the actual watch worn by Connery is that it belonged to the film’s producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli who lent it to him for filming when a Rolex was needed on short notice.
Amazingly beautiful and highly desirable, these days the Rolex 6538 will set you back north of R5M these days, if you can find one!
2. SEIKO LC QUARTZ DIGITAL WRISTWATCH DK001, 0674‑5009
- Roger Moore
- The Spy Who Loved Me
- 1977
3. TAG HEUER PROFESSIONAL NIGHT DIVE WRISTWATCH 980.031
- Timothy Dalton
- The Living Daylights
- 1985
4. ROLEX SUBMARINER OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE WRISTWATCH 16610
- Timothy Dalton
- Licence To Kill
- 1989
It was after a surprisingly long break of 15 years that Rolex appeared on the wrist of Bond, played this time around by Timothy Dalton. Like the legends that are Connery and Moore, he wore a Submariner Oyster Perpetual, but this time the newer 16610, which saw several updates until production ended in 2010.
This Rolex was also the last to be worn by James Bond – when Goldeneye came to our screens in 1995 Pierce Brosnan began the spy’s relationship with Omega which has endured to this day.
5. OMEGA SEAMASTER WRISTWATCH 2541.80
- Pierce Brosnan
- Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Worl is Not Enough, Die Another Day
- 1995 – 2002
Known to fans around the world as the Bond watch the same model of blue-faced Omega Seamaster made an appearance in every Brosnan film. Water-resistant to 300 metres, with a helium escape valve, the Seamaster is exactly the sort of timepiece you’d expect a Royal Navy commander to wear.
After getting the obligatory “Q” treatment Bond’s Seamaster came with a laser for cutting through ice, a grappling hook, and a detachable explosive charge.
6. OMEGA SEAMASTER 300 SPECTRE LIMITED EDITION
- Daniel Craig
- Spectre
- 2015
First introduced in 1957, the Seamaster 300 comes with a 41mm stainless steel case designed especially for divers and professionals who worked underwater.
A version made in collaboration with the film and limited to 7,007 examples, (clever!), includes a 007 motif on the clasp and a striped NATO fabric strap. The watch features a unique bezel numbering from 1 to 11, then a 0, instead of the number 12, and faux vintage Super-Luminova markers that emphasize its retro styling.
7. OMEGA SEAMASTER 300M 007 EDITION
- Daniel Craig
- No Time To Die
- 2020
In his final outing as Commander Bond, Daniel Craig wears another Seamaster. This one is made from Grade 2 Titanium and has been purposefully built with military needs in mind. Omega introduced an aluminum dial to replicate the aged brown ‘tropical’ hue that certain vintage dials reflect over time.
On the case back, you’ll find a series of numbers, which follow the format for genuine military-issue watches. You will also find Bond’s iconic agent number, 007, and the number 62, being the year of the very first movie.
Obviously, this isn’t every watch worn by the world’s best-known spy, but it gives you a flavour of what it’s all about and perhaps illustrates just how important brand association is.
As yet, we don’t know who the next Bond will be, or which watch he’ll be wearing, but that’s half the fun!
