FEATURE
Written by
WatchTime
He’s the world’s most famous secret agent, and the selection of watches on his wrist is at least as varied as the parade of “Bond girls” at his side. Each watch reflects its epoch: from robust mechanical timekeepers, through digital timepieces, to state-of-the-art chronometers. With the long-awaited (and long-delayed) No Time to Die now in theaters, we re-present our timeline overview of 007’s wrist-wear over the years.
1962
James Bond first appeared on the silver screen in 1962 and has remained there ever since, but the Bond character was born 10 years prior to 007’s cinematic debut. Ian Fleming wrote Casino Royale, his first novel about the adventures of the charming MI6 agent, while on his honeymoon in 1952. Although Bond immediately showed extraordinarily good taste in automobiles and clothes, his wristwatch wasn’t identified until Fleming’s second novel, Live and Let Die (1954). Bond wears a Rolex in this book, which is not surprising, because Fleming himself wore a Rolex Explorer, Reference 1016, on an extensible Oyster riveted strap. Fleming’s affection for Rolex is apparent in the first James Bond film, where Bond, played by Sean Connery, casually straps on a Rolex Submariner without a date display while hunting the nefarious Dr. No, for whom the movie is named. Reference 6358 has a leather strap here. Film buffs believe that this model was one of Sean Connery’s personal possessions.
1963/1964
James Bond remained faithful to Rolex in his second cinematic adventure, From Russia with Love. The movie shows Connery wearing a Rolex Submariner, Reference 6538, which still shows just the time because Q, the famous master of innovative weaponry, hadn’t yet equipped 007’s watch with any other special capabilities.
Connery again wears Reference 6538 in Goldfinger, where it’s attached to a much-too-narrow textile strap. puss* Galore, the aviatrix with the politically incorrect name, relies on a classical pilots’ watch: the Rolex GMT Master, Reference 6542.
1965
James Bond wears two watches in Thunderball. He uses his Rolex Submariner to tell the time, but he relies on a modified Breitling Top Time when he needs a Geiger counter. This watch was rediscovered in 2013 at an English flea market, where the authentic prop from the classic flick changed hands for a paltry 25 pounds – and was soon afterwards auctioned for a five-figure sum.
1967
The phrase “You Only Live Twice” is perhaps more appropriate for James Bond than for anyone else. In the movie of that name, the dapper agent battles his archenemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. No one knows exactly which watch accompanied 007, but some aficionados suspect it was a golden Gruen, which probably came from Connery’s private collection.
1969
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service featured a new leading man, but this film would be Australian actor George Lazenby’s only stint as James Bond. As if to recompense him for his short-lived tenure, he has the good fortune in this film to wed the actress Diana Rigg, whom you may remember from the TV show The Avengers. In the movie Bond wore a Rolex Submariner (Ref. 5513) and a Rolex Chronograph (Ref. 6238).
1971
A familiar face returned to the silver screen in Diamonds Are Forever, where Sean Connery, back as Bond, turns his attention not only to girls, but to girls’ best friends. Bond fights the good fight mostly without a watch, although one does make a cameo appearance in one scene. Connoisseurs think it might be the same golden Gruen worn in You Only Live Twice.
1973/1974
Roger Moore’s debut as James Bond, in Live and Let Die, and its follow-up, The Man with the Golden Gun, inaugurated a new era spiced not only with more humor, but also with a Rolex Submariner 5513 equipped with practical additional functions. For the first time, the agent’s watch hosted gadgets added by Q. The watch could be triggered to serve as a circular saw, which comes in handy when handcuffs need to be removed. It also had a built-in magnet to deflect incoming bullets or, when necessary, help to suavely disrobe a lady. In Live and Let Die, Bond wore another watch in the opening sequence, one of the power-hungry Pulsar LED digital watches from Hamilton, which helped usher in the quartz revolution.
1977
East meets West with a bang in The Spy Who Loved Me, in which sparks fly between Bond and Major Anya Amasova. A Rolex GMT Master assures precise timekeeping, while a Seiko 0674 LC functions as a pager: a label-making printer inside the watch ejects strips of paper bearing important messages from the office spymaster M.
1979
Moonraker catapults 007 into outer space, where he’s assisted by a Seiko M354 Memory Bank Calendar, which conceals an explosive secret that blasts the way clear for the agent and his appealing flightmate.
1981
Moore dives into the Aegean Sea for his fifth Bond adventure, For Your Eyes Only. Two Seiko watches join him: the Seiko 7549-7009, above, and the Seiko H357 Duo Display, above right.
1983
The risqué name of the next Bond film, Octopuss*, caused a furor in England. In it, Moore’s Bond, with a Seiko TV Watch on his wrist, turns his attention to a young lady who works as one of Q’s assistants. The same year, Connery gave his final performance as Bond in Never Say Never Again. The identity of his watch in this movie remains a mystery.
1985
A View to a Kill finds Bond on the Golden Gate Bridge, where both he and his nemesis Zorin wear Rolexes (Bond’s is a Datejust). In other scenes, Bond wears three Seiko watches, including a Seiko Diver’s 150m.
1987
After Timothy Dalton’s debut as James Bond in The Living Daylights, critics nicknamed this actor “Rambond.” In the movie, Agent 007 wears a TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive Reference 980.031.
1989
In Dalton’s second and final adventure as James Bond, License to Kill, Bond wears a Rolex Submariner.
1995
Pierce Brosnan wears a quartz version of the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M (Reference 2541.80) when he takes over as James Bond in GoldenEye.
1997/1999/2002
An Omega Seamaster Professional (Reference 2531.80) is again the ticking costar in Tomorrow Never Dies.
The World Is Not Enough for this secret agent, so he escapes its confines aboard a rocket bound for outer space. In his battle against Elektra King and her cohorts, Bond relies on Reference 2561.80 as a radiant light source and as a rescue cable with a grappling hook.
Pierce Brosnan remains faithful to the Omega Seamaster in his fourth adventure. This chronometer saves 007’s life in Die Another Day thanks to an explosive charge in its helium valve that can be detonated via the bezel. A powerful laser in the watch’s crown serves Bond well in his battle against the evildoer Gustav Graves.
2006
James Bond loves variety, so when Daniel Craig debuts as everyone’s favorite secret agent in a big-screen adaptation of Casino Royale, he alternately wears an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M (Ref. 2220.80) and a Seamaster Planet Ocean (Ref. 2900.50.91).
2008
It seems as though Bond needs an exceedingly watertight watch in Quantum of Solace. His Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (Reference 2201.50) reliably resists pressure at great depths.
2012
James Bond wears several watches in Skyfall, including one that was specially built for this film and which Christie’s auctioned for nearly 200,000 euros in 2012. Bond’s Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M has a titanium case, unlike the serially manufactured version, which is stainless steel. Both are fitted with Caliber 8500. For more information on the Skyfall watch, click here.
2015
In 2015’s Spectre, Daniel Craig returned to the screen, this time wearing an Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre, which alludes to a predecessor from the 1960s. He also sported an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra in the opening sequence. We cover that watch in detail here.
In Craig’s final outing as Bond, 2021’s No Time to Die, he wore the Omega Seamaster Diver 007 Edition, a military-look dive watch designed with the actor’s own design input that sports a tough-but-lightweight titanium case, a tropical brown dial with vintage lume, and a scalloped rotating bezel with an aluminum insert. WatchTime’s Mark Bernardo reviewed the watch ahead of the film’s release; you can read the details here.
This article originally appeared in WatchTime magazine and has been updated.
If you buy something using the affiliate links in our stories, WatchTime may earn a small commission. WatchTime does not accept money for editorial review.
No Responses to “James Bond’s Watches: The Complete Movie Timeline”
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Mike
The Gruen was also worn in the opening scene of Dr. No (with his dinner jacket in the casino) and some scenes in Goldfinger, notably the fight with Oddjob in the vault.
ReplyOmega Seamaster by far the Best Watch
ReplyTroy
I beg to differ in the 1st watch seen in a Bond film.
In Dr. No’s opening scene, Bond is seen wearing the soon to be notorious Gruen Precision 510.
Reply
It wasn’t until famous Bond watch researcher Dell Deaton identified the watch as a Gruen Precision 510, 40 years after it first appeared on screen, that we could confirm its reference.Graham bourn
Missed the Tissot pr516 from live and let die…..speed boat chase. .. Roger Moore
ReplyDaniel Jimenez
Just beautiful and elegant watches!!
ReplyHector Lopez
I bought the Omega seamaster 300 diver 007 edition – Superb Watch…
ReplyWallace A Scheivelhud
Love the Omega Seamaster
ReplyDennis Dusing
Really enjoyed your article
ReplyGerry Dinatos
It seems to me that James Bond has “slept” with just about everyone – watch brands included!
ReplyDavid Huntington
How about resisting the need to repeat the James Bond watch story. Once a year is enough.
ReplyJacqui Fletcher
Hi was there ever a Jaeger Lecoultre watch worn? I’m sure I remember a Reverso as a dress watch?
Replynorman e breedon
I have a couple of Rolex Submariners. I can’t believe how much they are supposedly worth now.
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I paid $100 for the first in 1962. A so called James Bond, no crown protector model?Scott Welton
Seem to remember Sean Connery on a talk show in the 60’s saying his Rolex was gifted to him by the stuntmen on Dr No, because they thought it was more in keeping with the character than his Gruen
ReplySteve
Over the years from the first James Bond film the watches have been outstanding, it makes it one of the show pieces in the film which the timeline reflects on, and it goes together with all the Different cars that ever been in a Bond movie
ReplyT8T
Refreshed text, it is updated.
Reply
Being an Omega fan, sure i am proud an icon in movies wears Omega.
Knowing my Seamaster fits my wrist like a glove, it wil never leave my wrist.
I watching no movies, or at least i watch only my favorite genre and that are old ones.
I watch watch video’s and custom cars build tv shows, loving to see AP create watches, and Peter Smith build movements. While i am considering to get a Bond Omega No time to die on a mesh strap. Perfect Omega.Tunde
Love it how can I get it
ReplyLarry Jenkinson
Roger Moore had some pretty poor watches compared to Connery, Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Reply
Flared Trousers too ugggghhhhhDattatreyulu
Watches are very awesome
ReplyMohd Fahmi Prethaban Abdullah
I’ve watched all bond movies, and I loved them all
ReplyPanos Thomas
It’s worth noting that a somewhat frequent continuity error throughout the film “Live and let die” finds 007’s Submariner replaced in non-closeup scenes with a different steel watch, which Bond fans have identified as a Tissot Visodate Seastar PR516 that was likely Moore’s personal timepiece.
ReplyLarry Jenkinson
Roger Moore had some pretty poor watches compared to Connery, Brosman and Daniel Craig.
Reply
Flared Trousers too ugggghhhhh
William Stalvey
Omega p o 600 meter should be worn, tough, thick and probably the best watch you can ever wear, makes other watches look pathetic.
ReplyJames Cottrell
I have a glycine airman. 24 hour dial with a bezel to show duel time zones. A very Bond thing.
ReplyVINOD kanna
Hi, love all watches worn by the actor’s, classic movies & classic watches.
ReplyEvan
The Seiko TV watch is the best Bond watch because it’s so much more unique than most of the other boring ones. The Submariner is obviously the classic Bond watch but the Omega era feels like a bit of a generic sell out even though they are an iconic brand.
Casio makes a decent version of the TV watch for under $30, the Casio AE1200WHD-1A Stainless Steel Digital Watch. Its like the one Bond wears in Octopuss*.
I’m a little disappointed none of his watches has ever featured a compass or altimeter, seems like they could come in handy for a guy like James Bond.
ReplyJeffrey j christie
I love the James bond watch from view to kill.
ReplyRory Laskowitz
In 1973, I bought my Rolex Oyster Perpetual with date. I still wear it and I’m always asked if it’s real.
ReplyThomas Murphy
Good article…
Reply
Well descriptive timelineRandy Rogers
The litany of Timepieces aside, actually James Bond first appeared on the Silver Screen, on the small screen, in 1954. An American TV Series Climax took Casino Royale and adapted it with Barry Nelson as the first James Bond, though despite Ian Fleming’s authorship, cast him as an American, along with Peter Lorre as Le Chiffre, Linda Christian as Valerie Mathis and Michael Pate as ‘Clarence’ Leiter.
ReplyLidia Aristy
Very classic.
ReplySpurgeon Cross
where can I get Seiko watch # 7549-7009 or # H357
Replyscott lee
This is Irish-American actor Pierce Brosnan’s debut film as Bond. His fellow MI6 agent, Alec Trevelyan, is murdered. But, 10 years later, following an attack on a bunker in Siberia and the theft of the control disk for a satellite weapon known as Goldeneye, Bond learns he’s actually alive.
ReplyDavid thach
Good collection. I enjoyed the viewing.
ReplyCarpark
Great article, could we have one about Arnie’s watches next?
ReplyMichael Falcaro
Loved. Owned a watch by same brand, except Rolex.
ReplyRich Kroll
All r nice Movado should make it in a bond movie
ReplySteve
No 7A28 from A View to a Kill? The most sophisticated watch in this whole list? Shame on you!
ReplyA.RODRIGUEZ
Quite a juxtaposition…Seiko and Rolex, with TAG & Breitling thrown in.
ReplyMichael mattox
I have a Seamaster 300 and it keeps perfect time!!!
ReplyVincent Peters
Great article! Thanks.
ReplyMichael
I owned the watch that was used in Octopuss*. My dad got it for $40 at a hardware store, the same year as the movie. I don’t have it any longer, so I can’t tell you the model. Not a mystery though.
ReplyWatch Coll. no 6
I’m noticing there’s fake photos from the Casino Royale movie, featuring Bond wearing a CASIO watch, called Casio Royale. Sold on Ebay and other places. BS of course, but it seems people buy it.
ReplyJim Lichty
Really a fantastic collection of watches!!
ReplyJim savage
I have Pulsar Watch does anyone know where I can get it repaired ?
ReplyKarl timpany
What do you think about a re issue of the Dr No rolex watch….
ReplyRonald
Love the watches James bond wears
ReplyJames Haury
A magnetic bullet deflector sounds great but lead has no magnetic properties and last I checked bullets are made of lead .Maybe if the villians shot bb’s at him that would work.
ReplyHogiebear
Almost all pistol and rifle bullets will have a jacket of another metal over the lead.
Reply
They even made a film about it….
Stevewrich
Hello. And Bye.
ReplyWayne J Kozak
There is a blooper. Roger Moore’s Rolex with the saw was not used to remove handcuffs but rope that he is tied up with on the platform.
ReplyMatti
I’m good as long as he never wears a Richard Mille.
ReplyGavin
Last I checked Sean Connery is still alive. So why all the “the identity of this or that is unknown or a mystery?” How about you ask?
Replyhighnrising
Do you thinks Sean Connery knows or cares what watch was put on his wrist when he was dressed up and made up to plays his character in that movie?
Reply
Seriously?
If you want to ask someone, try one of the production people or someone in charge of costumes for the movie.
Billy
Sylvio, I agree with you. Although my brand is Seiko, the only brand I associate with James Bond is Rolex. That was Ian Fleming’s intent.
Replykezuk
Seiko and Rolex are old hat when it comes to the bond movies ……Omega’s current and Definitely more diverse than Rolex are ….Rolex havent changed there style for over 30 years … are you still wearing clothes from the 80’s lol ?
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Billy
The movie James Bond wore Seiko’s at one time. I also wear Seiko’s (both automatic and quartz) to honor the onscreen James Bond :)
ReplySylvio F. Bertoli
It is just too bad that Rolex let Omega take over as the official supplier of James Bond’s watches. In my humble opinion JB should wear only one brand:- Rolex, preferrably Submariner, SeaDweller or Deep Sea
ReplyTony
All the Rolex fanboys are out today . He’s wearing an Omega right now. Sorry.
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Kamarat nopprapun
Fan club of all jame bond movie
ReplyWayne
Bond doesn’t remove handcuffs with his Rolex in ‘live and let die’ , he cut through rope while he was hanging on the platform.
ReplyMichael Beck
The Spy Who Loved Me shows a Submariner, but the article specifies a GMT. What’s up with that?
ReplyIsidor Farash
Not only was Bond’s first movie watch a Yema diver but it was one of the very early examples of paid product placement in the movies. The original founder of Yema made a big deal about this (during that time frame) but you see, back then there were no DVDs. The movie would make a second tour in the theaters and eventually was also on video tape. But the paid placements were only good for the first run. The subsequent releases often had parts cut out because they had been paid placements but were not perpetual. Without a close-up of the watch, no company would gain any advantage. Thus, the paid segment was always the close-up of the watch, which is why there is no close-up of any watch in Dr. No. It expired and was cut. The book may have specified a Rolex but Yema paid for the spot.
ReplyJay
Product placement was not on the cards for Dr No I’ve been reliably informed
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John Wilson
The very first watch mentioned in any Bond novel was a Girard Perregaux. 007 started wearing it after removing the watch from an enemy agent. I know the article is about movies, but this is surely worth a mention?
ReplyJason
You left out the elsusive “Never Say Never Again”
ReplyDon
Thanks, nice review. I wonder why Bond bounced around with different brands?
ReplyNath
Don – Marketing and money in the later films! Omega pay a fortune to be on Bonds wrist!
Bond = Rolex
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John Palmer
I have a Bond watch not featured in the article.Although not seen in The Living Daylights, it was specially made for, and worn by, Timothy Dalton during filming.
ReplyGeorge
What kind of watch was it? Who was the manufacturer?
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Alfred Agius
Loved reading through Bond’s film escapades & the fine time pieces that he wore to help him out throughout mostly unscathed.
Replymichael
as bond comes from good , naval stock, will we see him wearing a g shock , most S/forces do now???
ReplyJack-O
Agreed. Served in SF for 7 years (multiple deployments) and still wear the same G-Shock to this day
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Isidor Farash
Bond’s watch in Dr. No (1962) was a Yema, French made. This was perhaps one of the very first examples of a ”paid product placement” in a motion picture. This was Yema’s claim to fame for quite a few years, until they put a watch in space, which was also done to dog Omega. Even the name ‘Yema’ was selected to sound like a Greek Alphabet letter, as an effort to ride Omega’s success. For a few years in the late 70s and early 80’s Yema was a bigger brand than Omega, at least overall. The Swiss watch business nearly collapsed in the early 1980s when Seiko was selling their far superior 21 Jewel automatics. At that time, the Yemas were equal in quality to the Swiss brands, often more attractive, sometimes more innovative and usually cheaper.
Replymeir bsrac
A very nice and interesting articke.
Reply1903Mark1
In the write up, why not show the actor actually wearing the timepiece? I see more bear wrists than watches. Something to do with copyrights maybe???
ReplyLone Wolf
Exactly. To both questions.
Reply
Frank
According to this, the first watch to ever appear on the silver screen in any Bond film was a Gruen.
ReplyJames Roden
And I also noticed there is no mention of the very first wrist watch that Sean Connery wore as Bond on screen when he met Sylvia Trench in Dr. No.
It’s a pity that nobody knows exactly what it was….the only thing anybody knows for certain is that it wasn’t a Submariner. It was a gold colored case dress watch with a light colored dial…which kind of makes me think he was wearing the Gruen in that shot. The best shot is at 7:50 minutes in.
ReplyJames Hobbs
Did James Bond ever wear a Ball wristwatch?
ReplyRichard
Correct! Sean 007, also wore his Rolex Submariner in Thunderball. It was the last time we we saw it.
ReplyJm
In On Her Majesty’s Secret Service movie I believe he has a Daytona and uses the chronograph to get out of a jam. Maybe the only circ*mstance where a standard complication is used by him in the series!
ReplyRobinoz
I loved all the James Bond watches, but most of all, I loved Ursula Andress and the scene where she walks out of the sea dripping wet and oozing sex appeal. She was as beautiful as any of the 007 watches, although I expect one of the watches would have lasted longer than Ms Andress.
ReplyDennis
First one…………………….a BREITLING TOP TIME !!!!! Made up by Q as a geiger counter.
ReplyKarl
Was the Aqua Terra model not worn in Skyfall as well as the planet ocean?
ReplyGreg
Yes it was. Blue teak 38.5 mm version. Perhaps the author could have done a comprehensive list of watches worn in the movies rather than a movie list with Some of the watches worn.
Reply
Peppermill
This article is not only incomplete but also wrong on various counts.
ReplySotr
No mention about Fleming’s Explorer as the originally intended Rolex Oyster Perpetual ?
ReplySteve
Over the years from the first James Bond film the watches have been outstanding, it makes it one of the show pieces in the film which the timeline reflects on, and it goes together with all the Different cars that ever been in a Bond movie.
Reply
Filipe Vieira
Was this wrote by Omega? :P
ReplyJonathan W. Fink
I’m so old school, I still associate Bond with Rolex.
ReplyJay
The wrong watch is depicted for Casino Royale! The Dial is one of a gun Barrel! I know, as it’s on my right as I type!
ReplyPeppermill
The watch with the gun barrel is not the one used in the movie. It was a special edition made by Omega for the Bond fan but not for the Bond movie itself.
ReplyOmega fan
The omega site has the bond watch with a center fire bullet casing inside the watch back. Is this the special addition or the actual model worn by bond?
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Dennis
YES, it was a Breitling Top Time…..!!!! Documented many times !!!
Replyiwan tarmat
rolly
ReplyJohn
Nice overview…. May I have one of each please ;)
Cheers
ReplyIván
Dear friends,
You have to includ a Moeris wristwatch made in 1965 for Sean Connery.
If you want, I can send you pictures.Regards from Chile,
Iván
ReplyCarlos
Yes, the editor also forgot to include the PULSAR worn by Roger Moore, with LED push button display.
Not being extremely critical, but a more in-depth research should be expected on these type of articles.
We really become followers of well documented articles, otherwise, the reader might feel left in limbo, and that is the least a writer should aim for.
Thanks for understanding your readers are well informed…
ReplyFilipe
Yeah! The Pulsar was one of the most iconic James Bond watches!!
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BIG CHRONO
I always thought the 1965 Thunderball geiger counter watch is a Breitling Top Time.
ReplyMarco Balcazar
I agree with the fact that the article is very inaccurate. Poorly written as well. It would have been better, not only doing more in depth research, but also accompany the article with more objective pictures.
Reply
I have to add that product placement evolved thru those fifty-plus years and Omega’s gain against Rolex was based not only on a more avant-garde approach but also on the snobbish attitude Rolex has claimed thru time. They should worry about coming out of the shell and at least improve the quality of their s.s. bracelets. I rest my case.
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