Daniel craig in seamaster diver 300m ref. 2220. 80. 00 credit alamay
Daniel Craig in No Time to Die. CREDIT Alamay.

How to buy, sell and collect James Bond watches from Omega and Rolex

Pre-owned watch specialist Watchfinder walks us through the classic timepieces seen on the wrist of 007 back to 1954.

It finally seems certain the latest James Bond movie No Time to Die will be released on September 30.

It will be the 25th entry in the world famous franchise and Daniel Craig‘s final time playing 007.

Marking the occasion, pre-owned watch specialist Watchfinder & Co. takes a look back at some of the most iconic watches worn by Bond over the last six decades, and the detail behind their 007 status.

Sean Connery and his Rolex Submariner 6538 “Big Crown”

Sean connery wearing a rolex submariner 6538 credit getty imagesThe first reference to a specific Bond watch was made in Ian Fleming’s second book, Live and Let Die in 1954.

It was a Rolex.

Fleming himself also wore a Rolex, more specifically an Explorer I, so it was little surprise when Sean Connery sported a Rolex in the very first Bond film Dr. No.

It’s said that the watch worn by Connery actually belonged to the film’s producer, Albert R. Broccoli, and was loaned to the actor for filming.

Opposing rumours claim that the watch was in fact part of Sean Connery’s personal watch collection and he brought it on set for use during filming.

Rolex submariner 6538
Rolex Submariner 6538 Big Crown.

Regardless, the watch in question was an early Rolex Submariner 6538, also known as the “Big Crown” due to its very prominent winding crown.

First produced by Rolex in 1955, and only manufactured for 4 years, this watch has become known as the James Bond Submariner.

The highly collectable 6538 was also worn by Connery in From Russia with Love and the 1964 Goldfinger.

Today, good condition examples of this limited edition Submariner have sold for over £400,000 at auction.

Rolex gmt master reference 6542
Rolex GMT Master Reference 6542.

The Submariner wasn’t the only Rolex to feature in these early Bond titles; Goldfinger’s Pussy Galore (played by Honor Blackman) can be seen sporting a Rolex GMT Master Reference 6542 in the film.

George Lazenby and the Rolex 6238 “Pre-Daytona”

George lazenby as bond
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Following on from the Connery era, Lazenby took over the role of Bond (albeit briefly) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969.

And with the new Bond, came a new watch. This time, instead of the Submariner, Bond opted for a 6238 Rolex Chronograph.

Rolex pre daytona 6238
Rolex Pre-Daytona 6238 chronograph.

The piece, favoured in motorsport, is often described as a pre-Daytona as it has all the features of the enigmatic reference except the external tachymeter bezel.

Bond’s 6238 is the only one of its kind – it was redesigned at the request of the producers to incorporate a red seconds hand which acted as Bonds built in compass.

Roger Moore and his Rolex 5513 Submariner

Roger moore and his rolex 5513 submariner credit twitter
Roger Moore and his Rolex 5513 Submariner. CREDIT Twitter

It wasn’t until the early 70’s that the Q Branch really started going to town on Bond’s watches.

In the 1973 film Live And Let Die Moore wears a significantly modified Rolex Submariner 5513 which contains a high powered magnet and its very own circular saw, where the rotating bezel doubles up as the blade.

Rolex submariner 5513 187909
Rolex Submariner5513.

Off screen the 5513 is often described as the ultimate tool watch – possessing nothing more, and nothing less, than exactly what is needed.

With its time only mechanism, no date, a rotating bezel (which allows the timing of dives) and a locking bracelet clasp – it is an ideal diving watch in its purist form.

Seiko 0674 5009 quartz lc | bond lifestyle

It’s worth noting that it wasn’t all Swiss watches for Roger Moore’s Bond though; he was also seen sporting a Hamilton Pulsar in the opening scenes of Live and Let Die (before swapping to the famous Rolex), a Seiko 0674 LC (which also functioned as a message printing pager) in The Spy Who Loved Me and a Seiko M534 Memory Bank throughout Moonraker, which Q equips with explosives and a remote detonator.

Timothy Dalton and the Rolex Submariner 16610

Timothy Dalton took over the role of 007 in 1987 serving up a darker, grittier Bond — truer to the original character portrayed in Fleming’s novels.

James bond's watches: the complete movie timeline | watchtime - usa's no. 1 watch magazine
TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive 980.031.

In The Living Daylights Dalton is seen wearing TAG Heuer Professional Night-Dive 980.031.

The watch enjoyed approximately 10 seconds of screen time and it was the first, and last, time that Bond was seen wearing a TAG.

Rolex submariner 16610 190454
Rolex Submariner 16610.

In Dalton’s second 007 film, License to Kill, we see Bond return to the Rolex Maison wearing the newly introduced 16610.

Produced until 2010 the 16610 was made from 904L surgical grade stainless steel (more resistant to corrosion and saltwater damage) and, for the first time, utilised white gold for the hands and markers meaning it wouldn’t rust or patina over time.

Pierce Brosnan and his Omega Seamaster

Pierce brosnan goldeneye omega seamaster 300m quartz professional 2541. 80. 00 getty images

Goldeneye marked the first Bond film to feature an Omega on 007’s wrist, specifically an Omega Seamaster 300M Quartz Professional 2541.80.00 with a full size stainless steel case, blue face, blue bezel and stainless steel bracelet.

Pierce brosnan omega seamaster 300m quartz professional 2541. 80. 00 %40watchfinderco.
Omega Seamaster 300M Quartz Professional 2541.80.00.

Lindy Hemming, the Oscar-winning costume designer, responsible for selecting 007’s watch for the film said she felt that Commander Bond ‘a naval man, a diver and a discreet gentleman of the world’ would only wear the Seamaster with a blue dial.

But it wasn’t just Bond sporting a Seamaster in that film. Bond’s friend turned foe 006 Agent Alec Trevelyan (played by Sean Bean) is also seen wearing a Seamaster with a black leather strap.

In fact towards the end of the film Trevelyan comments on the fact that Bond is wearing a newer model than him!

Omega seamaster300m 2220. 80. 00 4657 190227 1
Seamaster Professional 2531.80 Chronometer.

Sticking with the Omega, Brosnan goes on to wear a Seamaster Professional 2531.80 Chronometer in Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

In these films we see Q add everything from lasers and grappling hooks to torches and detonating devices to the multifaceted watch.

Daniel Craig and his Omega Seamaster 300, Omega Planet Ocean and Omega Aqua Terra 150M

Daniel craig in the seamaster diver 300m 007 edition credit danjaq and mgm

Daniel Craig took up the mantle of Bond in 2006 in Casino Royale.

Craig’s Bond is introduced to the audience as a brand new 00 under the command of MI6 chief M (Judi Dench).

Omega seamaster300m 2220. 80. 00 4657 190227
Omega Seamaster 300m 2220.80.

With no gadgets or gizmos this new Bond sports a Seamaster Diver 300M (Ref. 2220.80.00) and a Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 2900.50.91) in his first outing as the 00 agent.

Omega planetocean 2900. 50. 91 3394 190118
Omega Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 2900.50.91).

The Seamaster Diver was a 41mm with a blue face and a blue bezel on a stainless steel bracelet.

By comparison the Seamaster Planet Ocean had a steel case, black dial, black bezel and a black rubber strap. In Quantum of Solace 007 wears another Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 2201.50.00) this time with a smaller case and a steel bracelet.

Omega planetocean 2201. 50. 00 3266 181114
Omega PlanetOcean 2201.50.

This trend continues in Skyfall with Bond wearing yet another Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001), this time in titanium, and a somewhat dressier Aqua Terra (231.10.39.21.03.001).

Omega planetocean 232. 30. 42. 21. 01. 001 22503 190314
Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001).

Breaking from the new, Daniel Craig can actually be seen wearing a vintage 1965 Omega Chronograph in the closing scene of Skyfall as he drives away in his Aston Martin DB5 (of the very same year).

Craig’s fourth outing as Bond in the 2015 Spectre features an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master (Ref. 231.10.42.21.03.003).

Omega aquaterra150mgents 231. 10. 42. 21. 03. 003 25933 190220
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master (Ref. 231.10.42.21.03.003).

He also clips into an Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition (Ref. 233.32.41.21.01.001).

Omega seamaster300m 233. 32. 41. 21. 01. 001 179555 e1631090651569
Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition.

Notably, the Seamaster 300 finally marked Craig’s first tricked-out watch as Bond!

It was designed exclusively for the film and featured a stainless steel case, a black and grey striped NATO strap (reminiscent of Bond’s original NATO strap worn in Goldfinger and Thunderball) and came equipped, courtesy of Q branch, with explosive capabilities.

Watches in No Time to Die

In the forthcoming No Time to Die fans will spot three Omega watches.

Bond sports the lightweight Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition (Ref. 210.90.42.20.01.001).

Omega seamaster300m 210. 90. 42. 20. 01. 001 192077
Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition.

New agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch) wears a 38mm Seamaster Aqua Terra with a black dial and black NATO strap.

Omega seamaster aqua terra 150m 38mm nato strap
38mm Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra with a black dial and black NATO strap.

Moneypenny (played by Naomie Harris) is equipped with a 27.4mm De Ville Prestige on a hunter green leather strap.

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