A super-agent and a favorite of women – as charming as it is dangerous – the cult franchise protagonist, James Bond, needs no special introduction. To date, two dozen films about the legendary agent 007 have been released, each of which is surrounded by gorgeous women, gorgeous cars, and expensive watches. In the film Bondian, they can not only show the time but also defeat the enemy. As we wait for the much-awaited world premiere of the latest 007 movie, No Time to Die, we showcase 007’s wrist-wear timeline overview over the years.
Film: “Doctor No”, 1962
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538
James Bond and the Rolex brand’s close friendship begins in the original novel by Ian Fleming: the saga author indicated that the agent wears the most status Rolex watch for its time on a wide metal bracelet. Thus, the crew did not question what watch James Bond would wear in the movie “Doctor No.” However, it was not without a comical incident: when the shooting had already started, it turned out that Rolex had not had time to send the watch, so the actor Sean Connery appears in the frame wearing director Terrence Young’s Rolexes.
Film: “From Russia with Love,” 1963
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538
The Rolex Submariner with a black bezel remains on James Bond’s wrist in the next series, “From Russia with Love.” Q has not yet managed to endow the agent’s clock with incredible functionality, so they mostly fulfill their intended purpose – they show the time. However, with a slight movement of the hand, they turn into a stranglehold (although there are doubts about the convenience of its use).
Film: “Goldfinger,” 1964
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538
The faithful Rolex Submariner is still in the service of 007: he shows them in all their glory, pushing the sleeve of an expensive suit. However, the practical leather strap has been replaced by a dude fabric strap. By the way, on the wrist of the Pussy Galore, we also see Rolex: the aviation classic Rolex GMT Master Reference 6542.
Film: “Thunderball,” 1965
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538, Breitling Top Time
In addition to the already famous Rolex Submariner, James Bond wears another watch: the Breitling Top Time in this episode. This is no longer just an accessory, but quite a spy tool – according to the film’s plot, they are equipped with a Geiger counter. With their help, the agent determines the level of radiation to establish the location of atomic bombs. By the way, in 2013, this watch was sold by Christie’s for 160,000 dollars.
Film: You Only Live Twice, 1967
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watches: guess Gruen
There is still no exact answer to what kind of watch Agent 007 wore in the movie – You Only Live Twice. However, most of the opinions favor the golden classic Gruen from the personal collection of actor Sean Connery. For your reference, it was a historic watch house that closed in 1977 to restart production only in the 21st century.
Film: “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” 1969
Actor Who Played James Bond: George Lazenby
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513, Rolex Chronograph Ref. 6238, and Rolex Submariner Ref. 6358
Australian George Lazenby played James Bond only once but he managed to try on three Rolex Submariner models in this role: at first it was Reference 5513 with a steel Oyster steel bracelet, Reference 6358 appears in the hacking scene, and at the end we see his hero Reference on the wrist 6238. Good choice, agent!
Film: “Diamonds Are Forever,” 1971
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watch: presumably Gruen
In this Bond series, there are many spectacular moments that James had no time to demonstrate the watch. They appear in the film only once, in a casino scene, so it is almost impossible to determine the exact model. However, most experts believe that these were the same gold Gruen that belongs to actor Sean Connery – and in which he, accordingly, starred.
Film: “Live and Let Die,” 1973
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
Watch, Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513, Hamilton Pulsar LED
In the Live and Let Die series’ first scenes, the electronic Hamilton Pulsar replaced solid Swiss classics on the agent’s wrist. No hands, a simple black dial and red numbers – it was fantastic for that time! Even half a century later, this model remains the gestalt of many collectors, and even then, the Hamilton Pulsar made a real splash – to say that it was a good PR move for the nascent quartz industry is to say nothing. Closer to the middle of the film, the familiar Rolex appears in the frame, but with special features – thanks to the Q add-ons, the watch can emit a magnetic field and help Bond get out of traps or deflect flying bullets. They can also open the zipper on the girl’s dress. “It’s just magnetism, baby!”
Film: “The Man with the Golden Gun,” 1974
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513
The magnificent Roger Moore and the magnificent Rolex Submariner are on the screen again. This time they are not equipped with any technological gadgets. However, it was a stylish statement.
Film: “The Spy Who Loved Me,” 1977
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
Watches: Seiko 0674 LC, Rolex GMT Master
At the end of the 70s, the world is booming with quartz watches, and the film franchise is not lagging behind the times. On the agent’s wrist are rectangular Seiko 0674 LC, with the help of which he exchanges messages with fellow super-spies. Cunning Seiko can also print them instantly, thus fulfilling the printer option. The second watch Bond uses still a Rolex GMT Master. They do not have any spy functions, so the hero wears them, apparently, just “for the soul.”
Film: “Moonraker”, 1979
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
Watch: Seiko M354 Memory Bank Calendar
In “Moonraker,” a real explosive mechanism is built into the square case of Seiko’s electronic watch – sorry for the spoiler, but it is with their help in the finale that James Bond knocks down the door of the spaceship and carries out his super-spy mission.
Film: For Your Eyes Only, 1981
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
Watches: Seiko 7549-7009 and Seiko H357 Duo Display
In this film, you see not even one, but two whole pairs of Seiko watches. The H357 are equipped with a dual digital display and, as before, combine the functions of a pager and a walkie-talkie, receiving text and voice messages from the super agent’s accomplices: the gadget has a built-in voice radio transmitter. Just like a modern smartwatch 🙂
Film: “Octopussy”, 1983
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
Watch: Seiko G757 Sports 100
Even without spyware, this model was considered incredibly functional at the time. Still, after the Q improvements, they received the option of tracking using a red dot on the screen. By capturing the GPS signal of a “radio beacon” hidden in a jewelry egg, the watch showed the movement of both eggs and enemies of humanity. Also, this watch was broadcast to Bond from miniature cameras.
Film: Never Say Never, 1983
Actor Who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Watch: Unknown
Sean Connery said, “Never,” promising not to return to Bond after this episode. It’s a shame and the fact that his hero did not wear any remarkable watch in the film.
Film: “A View To Kill”, 1985
The actor who played James Bond: Roger Moore
But Roger Moore, appearing as a British super spy for the last time, showed the world as many as four pairs of wonderful watches. They were mostly different Seiko models – quartz chronograph and diver’s model. But here’s the curious thing: Rolex returned, we see them on Bond’s hand at the moment when he found his driver killed.
Film: “The Living Daylights”, 1987
Actor who played James Bond: Timothy Dalton
Watch: TAG Heuer Ref. 980.031
Saying goodbye to Japanese brand Seiko, Timothy Dalton’s James Bond appears on screen in Diving TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive Reference 980.031, a luminescent dial that contrasts remarkably with the overall dark range of the model.
Film: License to Kill, 1989
Actor who played James Bond: Timothy Dalton
Watch: Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610
It’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Rolex: in this series, the Submariner franchises will make their last appearance. Farewell legend, from now on, Omega will take your place!
Film: “Golden Eye”, 1995
The actor who played James Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Watch: Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2541.80
There are two whole debuts in this episode. Firstly, the role of James Bond is played by Irishman Pierce Brosnan – with his piercing eyes and characteristic demeanor. Secondly, the franchise signs a partnership with Omega: the agent will wear this watch from now on. In this series, Bond’s watches are the diving Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2541.80. Lindy Hemming, costume designer for GoldenEye, says: “I was convinced that Bond – a naval officer, scuba diver and elegant gentleman – would be best served with a Seamaster with a blue dial.” As is often the case, the watch was improved by the Q laboratory: it had a glass-rimmed laser and a built-in detonator.
Film: “Tomorrow Never Dies”, 1997
The actor who played James Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Watch: Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80
Bond confronts a power-hungry media mogul. The Seamaster wristwatch helps him win – thanks to Q, it can detonate a hand grenade from a distance.
Film: “The world is not enough”, 1999
The actor who played James Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Watch: Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80
As the saying goes: “Don’t break what works well.” This is probably why Pierce Brosnan, as Bond, wears the same Omega Seamaster as in the saga’s previous episode. However, the functionality of the watch has expanded: it can now emit bright light and is equipped with a hook for quick grip.
Film: “Die Another Day”, 2002
The actor who played James Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Watch: Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2531.80
The same Omega Seamaster is on the arena. Its technically equipped predecessor was a sophisticated watch from the Golden Eye – this model received a built-in laser and detonator.
Film: “Casino Royale”, 2006
Actor who played James Bond: Daniel Craig
Watch: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 2900.50.91,
Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Ref. 2220.80.00
In 2006, the restart of the series begins. We have a new Bond and a new actor who plays him: the famous for his serious expression, Daniel Craig. Two Seamaster models marked this event at once. The first were the Seamaster Planet Ocean, which Bond wore in the opening shots. For the remainder of the film, he was in a robotic Seamaster with a coaxial escapement.
Film: “Quantum of Solace”, 2008
Actor who played James Bond: Daniel Craig
Watch: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 2201.50.00
The diving watch Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean just flashed on the screen. It is a pity, because given the scenes with super agents diving into the sea’s depths, it was possible to give them a little more screen time – at the same time they demonstrated the remarkable water resistance of the model.
Film: “Skyfall”, 2012
Actor who played James Bond: Daniel Craig
Watch: Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ref. 231.10.39.21.03.003, Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001
James Bond relies on the Planet Ocean 600M with a titanium case and the elegant Aqua Terra with co-axial movements and a stunning blue dial between his thoughts of death and spectacular scenes of battles with enemies. By the way, the first of the two models were sold at an auction in honor of the 50th anniversary of the film franchise for $ 2,35,856.
Film: “Spectre”, 2015
Actor who played James Bond: Daniel Craig
Watch: Omega Seamaster 300 Ref. 233.32.31.41.21.01.001, Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ref. 231.10.42.221.03.001
In this film, Bond wears two models of watches. The first is the Omega Seamaster 300 with a round tip of the second hand and a black and gray NATO strap. Research Center Q has kindly added the ability to explode. The second watch is also an Omega, but the Aqua Terra 150m is a watch with a blue-black dial that recalls Bond’s years in the navy.
Film: “No Time To Die” 2021
Actor who played James Bond: Daniel Craig
Watch: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
In the 25th year of Omega and James Bond, 007 is on a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist, but the task became far more dangerous than expected. Tackling a mysterious new villain, James Bond is armed with the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, built from tough and lightweight titanium for the most action-packed situations. But what gadgetry will be found within the case? Only time will tell… The newest James Bond installment has a current release date of October 8th, 2021, to the US market.
James Bond has worn the finest suits, drive the fastest cars, and most notably for horology enthusiasts, he’s strapped on some of the most impressive wrist watches ever developed. It’s nothing but entertaining to see how Bond’s tastes have changed over the years and we can’t wait to see how they’ll evolve in the future.
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