A reliable wristwatch is a staple for any daring secret service agent, especially if you’re the legend himself, James Bond. Since the first film,Dr. No,in 1962, Agent 007 has graced the big screen with some seriously impressive watches on his wrist, complete with innovative spy gadgetry. While these watches don’t come equipped with lasers, bomb detonators, or circular saws in real life, their association with the 007 franchise and the suave James Bond adds to the overall story of the watch.
James Bond wore several different watch brands in the first several 007 films, including Rolex, Breitling, Gruen, TAG Heuer, and Seiko. In 1995, Pierce Brosnan made his 007 debut with the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M strapped to his wrist - a brand partnership that continues today. Let's take a look at the top 5 Rolex and Omega James Bond watches.
Dr. No, 1962.
James Bond author Ian Fleming wore a Rolex Explorer ref. 1016, so it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to see Bond wearing several Rolex watches throughout the series, both in the books and in the films. Dr. No was the first film to hit the big screen, during which Sean Connery plays James Bond with a dateless stainless steel Submariner on a leather bracelet strapped to his wrist. It’s widely believed the watch worn by Connery was the “Big Crown” Submariner ref. 6538, which might have been from the actor’s personal collection. The watch would make a few more appearances in Bond films, includingFrom Russia with Love, Goldfinger,andThunderball.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969
The Submariner ref. 5513 made its Bond debut in the 1969 filmOn Her Majesty’s Secret Serviceon the wrist of George Lazenby, which was rumored to also belong to the actor. While it was his only turn playing James Bond, another Submariner 5513 would make several more appearances in the 007 franchise, including in the filmsLive and Let DieandThe Man with the Golden Gun, during which Roger Moore portrayed the brave British Secret Service Agent. For the first time in the franchise’s history, Bond’s watch was equipped with additional spy weaponry - a circular saw and a magnetic field generator.
GoldenEye, 1995.
The nearly 6-year gap betweenGoldenEye(1995) and License to Kill(1989) ended with a brand new Bond actor and a new partnership with Omega. Pierce Brosnan assumed the role of the dashing James Bond wearing the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M ref. 2541.80.00 with a quartz movement. Of course, James Bond’s watch wasn’t your typical Omega. It was also outfitted with a laser in the bezel and a bomb detonator built into the Helium Escape Valve. With its blue wave dial and matching blue bezel, the GoldenEye Seamaster is a fitting choice for the debonair naval commander.
Die Another Day, 2002.
Brosnan wore a similar stainless steel and blue dial Omega Seamaster Professional 300M for the following three 007 films. This time, it was reference 2531.80.00 with an automatic movement instead of quartz. In each movie, Q branch equips Bond’s watch with different upgrades, including a remotely detonated hand grenade inTomorrow Never Dies, a flashlight and grappling hookin The World is Not Enough, and a laser and remote detonator inDie Another Day.
No Time To Die, 2021.
Daniel Craig debuted as James Bond in 2006’sCasino Royale wearing an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ref. 2220.80.00 and Planet Ocean ref. 2900.50.91. The actor would exclusively wear Omega watches in every 007 movie that followed. However, one of the most memorable in recent years was the 2021No Time to Die James Bond Seamaster 300M 007 Edition, featuring a Titanium finish, a brown “Tropical” dial and bezel, a British Armed Forced emblem above the 6-hour marker, and creamy lume designed to mimic the natural patina found on vintage watches. It’s a welcome departure from typical James Bond watches that pays homage to the character’s military roots.
