In one of our previous articles, we talked about the long history between the iconic character of James Bond and watches. Even in the books, Ian Fleming puts a strong emphasis on the spy sporting a Rolex. It comes as no surprise that filmmakers have always strongly emphasized the spy’s watches, no matter the brand or model. A watch is a show of style, and no one embodies style more than James Bond. From 1962 to present day, Bond has worn many different watches including Rolex, Breitling, Seiko, Hamilton and Omega. His influence on the watchmaking industry is undeniable. However, some watches in the franchise stood out more than the others. In this article, we are bringing you the 5 most iconic watches the world’s most famous spy has worn.

Rolex Submariner 6358

The watch that started it all! No one can deny the connection between Bond and the Rolex brand, especially knowing that Rolex was his watch of choice in the original Ian Fleming novels. While the books never mentioned the particular model the spy favored, the Rolex Submariner became forever associated with the agent as portrayed by Sean Connery since he first wore it in Dr. No. The watch appears throughout several James Bond movies, including From Russia with Love, Thunderball and Goldfinger.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra

Omega has been the official watch of the iconic spy since 1995 and the GoldenEye movie. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra adorned the hand of Daniel Craig in Skyfall, sharing the spotlight with Planet Ocean, as well as in Spectre. Significantly more subtle than the usual dive watches Bond sports, this watch can still withstand 150 meters of water pressure. The watch represents a perfect mix between elegant and rugged, much like its famous fictional wearer.

Rolex Pre-Daytona

This special Rolex was worn by Bond as portrayed by George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. This watch is most famous for its chronograph with a characteristic red needle. This feature is believed to have been added at the producer’s request. It’s housed in a 36mm steel case with a chronograph and a 722 caliber.

Breitling Top Time

This particular watch has an interesting story behind it too. The story says that the prop team purchased the watch at a swap meet for a mere £25. The watch was then fitted with a “Geiger counter,” enabling the protagonist to locate stolen nuclear weapons. The Breitling was lost for years after filming ended, before resurfacing at an auction in 2013, where it sold for £103,875.

Seiko H357 5040

During the digital watch craze of the 70s and the 80s, Roger Moore sported three different Seiko watches. However, the H357 5040 he wore in For Your Eyes Only was an eerie prediction of today’s smartwatches. The watch featured a digital display that allowed the spy to receive messages. Unsurprisingly, this particular model is very difficult to come by these days.

You Don’t Have to Be a Spy to Wear a Quality Watch!

If you are looking for ways to improve your style, there’s no one better to look up to than James Bond. If you are looking for a quality, pre-owned Rolex Submariner or Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra in San Diego, stop by Leo Hamel’s luxurious jewelry store on San Diego Avenue. Our expert salespeople will help you pick the right watch to fit your preference and style.