What Watch did James Bond Wear?
With six actors across 25 films and $7.8 billion in box office, James Bond has had one constant companion through it all — his wristwatch. From the iconic Rolex Submariner in Dr. No to the sleek Omega Seamaster in recent adventures, Bond’s timepieces have not only been a style statement and a symbol of his impeccable taste, but also a Geiger Counter, a mini circular saw, a laser (of course), and a detonator.
Bond’s iconic timepieces start with Ian Fleming himself, a WWII naval intelligence officer, who wore his Rolex Explorer (Ref. 1016) while writing “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” in 1962. When asked by an art director on Dr. No what Bond wore, Fleming provided a description in exacting detail, including the agent’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch.
According to Fleming, “A gentleman’s choice of timepiece says as much about him as does his Savile Row suit.”
Watches Worn in James Bond Movies:
(In chronological order)
Dr. No (1962): Sean Connery kicks off the franchise and the long line of Bond actors and watches wearing a Gruen Precision 510 gold dress watch on a black strap. He’s wearing the Gruen when he first introduces himself as, “Bond, James Bond.” Later in the film, he sports a Rolex Submariner (Ref. 6538), marking the inception of a long-standing relationship between the secret agent and the luxury Swiss brand.
The classic Gruen does make several cameos in Bond films over the years, with appearances in From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), You Only Live Twice (1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971).
From Russia with Love (1963): As Connery continues with his second film as 007, the Rolex Submariner (Ref. 6358) on a NATO strap is right at home in the action sequences. The timeless appeal of this watch solidifies its status as the quintessential early Bond timepiece.
Goldfinger (1964): The Rolex Submariner (Ref. 6358) finally has a close-up when Bond checks his wrist to mark the countdown on a bomb he planted.
Thunderball (1965): The Rolex Submariner (Ref. 6358) shares screentime with a Breitling Top Time Chronograph, which Q has added a Geiger Counter to the classic timepiece.
You Only Live Twice (1967): No watch is clearly visible.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969): For his one and only appearance as James Bond, Australian George Lazenby sports two different Rolex Submariners (Ref. 5513 & 6358) and a pre-Daytona Chronograph (Ref. 6238). Lazenby wanted to land the role of 007 so much, he visited Sean Connery’s barber and tailor, and purchased his own Rolex Submariner ahead of his audition.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971): Connery is back but no watch makes an appearance.
Live and Let Die (1973): Roger Moore begins his tenure as 007 with a Hamilton Pulsar P2 and a Rolex Submariner (Ref. 5513) with circular saw and magnet from Q.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974): Roger Moore wears the Rolex Submariner (Ref. 5513) again but a retail version that has not been to Q’s workshop first.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Moore has two distinctly different watches while he shares the screen with Anya Amasova, a Rolex GMT and Seiko 0674 LC that prints messages from M.
Moonraker (1979): Seiko continues in the spotlight with Moore launching into space while wearing a Seiko M354 Memory Bank Calendar. **Digital was all the rage in the late 70s but this should have been an Omega Speedmaster.**
For Your Eyes Only (1981): Moore wears a Seiko 7549-7009 Professional Diver’s watch as well as a Seiko H357 Duo Display.
Octopussy (1983): Seiko and Roger Moore stay together with a Seiko G757 Sports 100 that when paired with a Fabergé egg, is an early GPS and can track Bond’s whereabouts.
A View to a Kill (1985): Rolex makes its return with a Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet along with three Seikos – Seiko SPR007 7A28-7020, Seiko H558-500 SPW001, Seiko 6923-8080 SPD09.
The Living Daylights (1987): Timothy Dalton makes his debut as does TAG Heuer with 007’s TAG Professional Night-Dive (Ref. 980.031).
License to Kill (1989): Dalton returns with a Rolex Submariner (Ref. 16610) for his second and final turn as 007 as well as the final appearance of Rolex in a Bond movie. **Note: The Sub is also referenced as 16800/168000.**
GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002): Pierce Brosnan stars as Bond for four 007 films with two Omega Seamaster Professional 300M’s (Ref. 2541.80 & 2531.80). GoldenEye is the first movie of a partnership between Bond and Omega that runs the next 25 years with both Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Casino Royale (2006): Omega returns early in Casino Royale with a Seamaster Planet Ocean (Ref. 2900.50.91) on Daniel Craig’s wrist. The product placement moves front and center with Vesper Lynd trying to guess Bond’s watch brand while he wears an Omega Seamaster 300M (Ref. 2200.80.00).
Quantum of Solace (2008): Craig wears an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean (Ref. 2201.50.00), but it doesn’t see much screen time.
Skyfall (2012): A pair of Omegas share the screen with Craig – an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean (Ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001) and, for the first time, an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra (Ref. 231.10.39.21.03.003). Both watches sold for six figures at Christie’s 50 Years of Bond Auction.
Spectre (2015): Bond wears another pair of Omega watches with a Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition (Ref. 233.32.41.21.01.001) and Seamaster Aqua Terra (Ref. 231.10.42.221.03.001) in the opening sequence. **Not sure how none of these reference numbers have 007.**
No Time to Die (2021): We arrive at a watch created for James Bond with the Omega Seamaster 300M 007 Edition (Ref. 210.90.42.20.01.001). Daniel Craig actually collaborated on the design with Omega.
Questions abound for the next Bond and what the watch will be. Who will play 007 in the 26th installment of the franchise? Will it be an Omega Seamaster on his wrist? We should find out more in 2024.
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry is an authorized dealer for Omega and has the No Time to Die Omega Seamaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm on the striped NATO strap in stock as well as with the Grade 2 Titanium mesh bracelet.
We are also an authorized dealer for Seiko and Hamilton and we see pre-owned and vintage watches on this list come in and out of Fox & Bailey Watch Shop, including a large selection of Bailey’s Certified Pre-Owned Rolex Submariner watches.
