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A gentleman’s choice of timepieces says as much about him as he does his Savile Row suit. -Ian Fleming-
James Bond is known for his love of cars, gadgets, weapons, and fine watches. The James Bond franchise has put some severe horology on the big screen. Today, we pay tribute to the legacy of 007's timepieces with our complete list of all the watches worn by Bond.
Many watch companies have been associated with James Bond over the years. Since 1995, Omega has been an official Bond franchise partner, releasing limited edition watches for purchase on rare occasions. But you are expected to see Omega, Longines, Seiko, and Rolex watches pop up in the 007 Bond film scenes.
While some movies don't come up as how you expect them to be (I blame those cool trailers), there is no denying that the James Bond 007 franchise has a longstanding legacy of excellence. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, Bond has relied on his wristwatch to get him through dangerous situations. His watches have always been stylish and classy--even when he's being adventurous. Check out this ultimate list of all the timepieces worn by agent 007 throughout the years.
1) Dr.No (1962): Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538 & Gruen Precision 510
It has been reported that Sean Connery, who starred as Bond in the first Bond movie, was a fan of Rolex watches. The legend confirmed that the Rolex Submariner Sean Connery wore in the first Bond film came straight out of his personal collection. Fastened to a leather strap, it was the stylish debut that would someday be known as iconic.
In the opening scene of Dr. No, James Bond wears a Gruen Precision 510. The Gruen Precision 510 (a classic dress watch) is not suitable for diving but is perfect for tuxedos. This is why the timepiece is not visible under Bond's shirt cuff.
The timepiece remained a mystery until a famous Bond and historical watch researcher, Dell Deaton, identified the watch as a Gruen Precision 510. That is, 40 years after it first appeared on the screen.
2) From Russia with Love (1963): Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538 & Gruen Precision 510
After the success of the first Bond 007 movie, when a new James Bond movie was released, it heralded the introduction of new villains, adventures and gadgets. For Sean Connery, however, it also meant a return to the role of James Bond and his iconic Rolex Submariner watch.
Bond wears a Big Crown Rolex Submariner, Ref. 6538. But due to a continuity error, he is seen wearing the Gruen Precision 510 when he arrives in Jamaica. However, by the time he is being driven to Government House, he is wearing his Submariner again.
At that time, watches were designed to be stylish accessories rather than weapons. Since James Bond's watches had yet to be converted into clever weapons, this one showed the signature dial and iconic style. Eventually, watches would become one of the coolest gadgets of 007 lore, not just for stylish purposes.
3) Goldfinger (1964): Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538 & Rolex GMT Master Ref. 6542
When James Bond unbuttons his tuxedo sleeve to reveal a Rolex Submariner strapped to his wrist in Goldfinger (1964), the legendary partner comes to the spotlight and is remembered once and for all. Connery wears his Rolex Submariner 6538 in Goldfinger (1964). When Bond raises his wrist to light a cigarette, checking the timing of a bomb agent 007 has planted. The Rolex Submariner was no longer attached to leather straps; it now came with fabric bands.
Not just Agent 007 himself, the glamorous bond lady - "Pussy Galore", was found to wear the Rolex GMT Master Ref.6542. Well known to be a classic aviation watch from 1954-1959. A little recap: Mrs.Galore is Goldfinger's personal pilot. As a Pilot, she wears a Rolex GMT Master with the Pepsi Bezel (Reference 6542).
The fascinating thing about Mrs. Galore's character, played by the beautiful actress Honor Blackman, is that she was the first woman to wear a 40mm Rolex sports watch. As far as I know, it is a very rare moment when women were wearing men's watches before 1964-- I believe other women do wear men's watches, but at least none of that footage was to be found before Mrs. Galore's character in Goldfinger.
4) Thunderball (1965): Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538 & Breitling Top Time (Navitimer Ref. 806)
James Bond returns in the fourth film, "Thunderball", and agent 007 still wears his trusty Rolex Submariner.
However, Q Branch has developed a new gadget for agent 007: a modified Breitling Top Time Chronograph that doubles as a Geiger counter.
In 1965's Thunderball, Bond uses a Breitling Top Time model equipped with a Geiger counter to track down a cadre of stolen nuclear missiles hidden underwater. Today, following up on its other recent re-editions of historical favourites like the Navitimer Ref. 806 (1959) and AVI Ref, Breitling continues its tradition of re-editions with another popular model from its past.
A car boot sale bargain hunter scored big when they picked up a vintage Breitling Top Time watch worn in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. The watch was featured during 007's mission to find two stolen NATO atomic bombs. According to Daily Mail UK, the buyer purchased the watch for £25. After taking the timepiece to an expert to be valued, the unnamed buyer was shocked to learn that it could be worth as much as £30,000 to £60,000. But at an auction at Christie's in June 2013, the timepiece sold to a bidder for £103,875, far more than its estimation. |
5) Casino Royale (1967): Rolex GMT Master
This poorly-aged parody of a James Bond novel was supposed to be excluded from our list because it is a "Parody". We include it because of the fact that David Niven's Bond can be found wearing a Rolex GMT Master. Between that and Fleming's original book, some might say that Rolex is the true "Casino Royale" watch.
6) You Only Live Twice (1967): Gruen Precision 510
In this 1967 instalment, Bond pits himself against SPECTRE and supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Most people suspect that he wore a Gruen watch straight out of Connery's personal collection. The Gruen Watch Company was a historic brand that disappeared in 1977 and then came back to life under new ownership in 2000.
7) On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): Rolex Submariners Ref. 5513, 6358, & Chronograph Ref..6238
In the 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, actor George Lazenby wore three different Rolex Submariners during his one and only time as James Bond.
1. First he wears the Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 on a bracelet of Oyster Steel.
2. Then during a break-in scene, he places the Rolex Submariner Ref. 6358 with an unscrewed crown on top of a copy machine.
3. Later in the film, he is seen wearing a Rolex Chronograph Ref.6238
8) Diamonds Are Forever (1971): Gruen Precision 510
The Gruen Watch disappears after James Bond lands in Jamaica, but the timepiece makes cameo appearances in From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), You Only Live Twice (1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Bond's Gruen watch is spotted on the scene where Agent 007 landed with a parachute inside a balloon, where two men helped him get up before Bond and Tiffany's confrontation with Blofet in the oil rig.
9) Live and Let Die (1973): Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 & Pulsar LED digital watch
During the opening sequence of Live and Let Die (1975), James Bond wears a Pulsar LED digital watch from Hamilton Watch Company. The watch was a very effective advertisement for the nascent quartz watch industry.
In Roger Moore's debut as Agent 007, he helped to lead a new era for the James Bond franchise. One that would make his character synonymous with the Rolex Submariner watch. However, this timepiece was modified by Q and his team with a circular saw and magnet, which helped Bond get out of trouble while on missions.
(Rolex Buzzsaw image source)
*According to Bloomberg, in 2015, Roger Moore's "live and let die" Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 was sold for $245,000.
10) The Man with the Golden Gun (1974): Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513
The Rolex Submariner worn by James Bond in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) can be found at its end scene. Like many other Bond films, agent 007 wears a Rolex Submariner with a stainless steel bracelet.
11) The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Seiko 0674 LC & Rolex GMT Master
In the 1970s, digital watches were rising in popularity, and the James Bond franchise was keeping pace with its lead character's choice of timepiece. Agent 007 wears a rectangular Seiko 0674 LC in this popular film, which can receive and print messages from a fellow super-spy. He also wears a Rolex GMT Master for timekeeping.
12) Moonraker (1979): Seiko M354 Memory Bank Calendar
James Bond has always been ahead of the curve in watches. Unsurprisingly, James Bond went all-digital for Moonraker (1979), a space-themed instalment. In this movie, Roger Moore wears a Seiko M354 Memory Bank Calendar on his wrist. On the back of his fancy new watch is an explosive charge, which is integral to the film's conclusion.
13) For Your Eyes Only (1981): Seiko H357 Duo Display & Seiko 7549-7009 Tuna
The Seiko H357 Duo-Display watch was selected for the thirteenth James Bond film. Like an early predecessor to the smartwatch, the H357 featured analogue and digital displays and a built-in microphone that enabled 007 to communicate with his team.
The Seiko 7549-7009 Tuna is a diver's watch featured in For Your Eyes Only (1981). James Bond wears it while diving in the yellow submarine to retrieve an A.T.A.C. machine from St. Georges wreck with Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet). Although the watch doesn't receive much screen time, it is featured prominently in the long scene when Bond wears it outside his yellow diving suit. Unfortunately, we don't get an up-close look at the timepiece in the movie. When Bond and Melina are captured by Aristotle Kristatos (Julian Glover) and his accomplices, the watch is probably discarded because it is never seen again.
14) Octopussy (1983): Seiko G757 Sports 100
The Seiko G757 Sports 100 is a digital sports chronograph with an added feature from Q Branch: the ability to keep tabs on a planted tracking device indicated by the red dot.
15) Never Say Again (1983): *None*
Sean Connery returned for one last time as James Bond and then said he would never again play the role. Unfortunately, there was no watch spotted to mark the occasion. However, at least we get to enjoy the only time when Mr Bond is together with Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson).
16) A View to a Kill (1985): Seiko SPR007 7A28-7020, H558-500 SPW001, 6923-8080 SPD09, & Rolex DateJust
In Roger Moore's final appearance as James Bond, in A View to a Kill (1985), the actor was spotted wearing no less than 4 watches. There was the Seiko SPR007 7A28-7020, which he wore on his wrist; it was a quartz chronograph with a white dial that can be seen at the start of the film.
Then, Agent 007 was also spotted on a Seiko H558-500 SPW001 dive watch at the Eiffel tower chase scene.
A two-tone Seiko 6923-8080 SPD09 worn, is visible for a split-second under his sleeve.
Last, Bond wore a Rolex Date just when he was horseback riding, competing with Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) and discovered his driver had been killed.
17) The Living Daylights (1987): TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive Reference 980.031
The 1987 James Bond movie The Living Daylights marked the first time that Timothy Dalton played the secret agent. He was chosen against Pierce Brosnan for the role. Dalton brought an intense and less humorous edge to the James Bond franchise. Bond wore a TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive Reference 980.031 quartz dive watch with a black case and bracelet. The other noticeable feature of the watch was its luminous dial.
18) Licence to Kill (1989): Rolex Submariner
In his second and final performance as James Bond, Timothy Dalton brought Swiss legend Rolex back into the fold for one last adventure. In honouring an iconic tradition, agent 007 equips himself with a Rolex Submariner, which was most likely a Reference 16800/168000 since the film came out in 1989. This is the last film featuring a Rolex Submariner on the wrist of James Bond.
19) Goldeneye (1995): Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2541.80
In 1995, the James Bond franchise roared back to life with the release of "Goldeneye." Irish actor Pierce Brosnan took over as 007, and he made for a truly sound and reliable choice. Representing more than one debut, "Goldeneye" also introduced Omega as the franchise's official watch partner. Enter the "Goldeneye" watch: an Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2541.80 quartz dive watch tricked out by Q Branch with a laser in its bezel and a built-in detonator.
20) Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80
Pierce Brosnan was back as James Bond in 1997 and so was the Omega watch. The watch of choice in this film was an automatic chronometer version of the Seamaster and it featured a device from Q Branch, which enabled Bond to remotely release a catch on a hand grenade.
21) The World is Not Enough – Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80
In the movie, James Bond wears the same Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80, but this time he has gadgets. The first is that the hour markers can light up an area using a light generator.
The second is a grappling hook that can be deployed from beneath the crown.
22) Die Another Day (2002): Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80
Die another day (2002) is Pierce Brosnan's last 007 film. Brosnan's watch remains unchanged, but the gadgets have been upgraded. The helium escape valve acts as a detonator for explosives, and we also get to see the return of the laser.
23) Casino Royale: Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2220.80.00, Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 2900.50.9, & Longines Evidenza
Daniel Craig, who plays the British Agent 007 secret service in his first outing as 007, wears 2 Omega watches in the film. The first one is an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 2900.50.91, seen in the opening sequence.
And for the rest of the film, he is spotted wearing an automatic Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2220.80.00 with Co-Axial escapement. Both watches were auctioned in 2007 as part of the Omegamania event.
The Longines Evidenza was worn by Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelson). Le Chiffre wore it in the Poker table scene. Eventually, Le Chiffre lost a lot of his bets in the table, so, Don’t gamble. ;)
24) Quantum of Solace (2008): Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 2201.50.00
For many, 2008's "Quantum of Solace" was considered a letdown after the brilliance of "Casino Royale." (but it is my favourite James Bond movie). In this film, Craig wears a Planet Ocean on stainless steel bracelet that doesn't get much screen time. The timepiece is water resistant to 600m, and agent 007 often dives deep into the ocean.
25) Skyfall (2012): Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001 & the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ref. 231.10.39.21.03.003
The Omega Seamaster appears twice in the James Bond film Skyfall (one of the franchise’s highest-rated outings). The first appearance of the Omega Seamaster is in the opening scenes of Skyfall, where Daniel Craig’s wristwatch is clearly visible. It was a unique piece made from titanium.
 | In 2012, the Omega Seamaster Ref. 232.30.42.21 was auctioned off in the 50 years of Bond sale by Christie’s. |
In addition to the Omega Seamaster that appears on Bond's wrist, he wears a blue-dialled Aqua Terra on a stainless steel bracelet.
26) Spectre (2015): Omega Seamaster 300 Ref. 233.32.31.41.21.01.001 & Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ref. 231.10.42.221.03.001
In Spectre, Craig wears two watches. The first is a black-dialled Aqua Terra model, which he wears for most of the film.
The second watch received much more screen time and was the first time a watch was designed specifically for the franchise.
It was the first time a watch had been designed specifically for the franchise and featured a NATO strap; it also included a gadget from Q Branch - a grenade activated via the crown - which Q described as "a rather loud alarm." Craig himself was responsible for suggesting that watches featuring gadgets should be reintroduced to the series, and it was done so successfully with this film.
27) No Time To Die (2021): Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
Daniel Craig wears the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, a watch he reportedly helped design. Appropriately, in his last Bond film, he had the chance to leave his mark on a critical prop: the watch's darkened 42mm metal case, and terracotta-coloured lume keeps it under the radar.
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