I have a bit of a quirky hobby: I love uncovering what characters in movies wear and use - everything from cars to clothes, phones, and, of course, watches. My curiosity knows no bounds.
Digging into these details often leads me to discover new brands and intriguing gadgets. Even if I can’t always afford them, there’s undeniable joy in admiring beautiful things.
When I began brainstorming for this article series, the first character that popped into my head was none other than James Bond. Who wouldn’t want to embody his essence? Strong, charming, living life on the edge, and armed with only the finest gadgets. While cars and clothes may be a stretch, I decided to explore his iconic timepieces.
The Omega Seamaster 300 has ignited a NATO strap trend in Hanoi.
Thanks to the heavy promotion surrounding the release of Spectre, I learned that Bond dons an Omega Seamaster 300, a diver's watch. However, my research revealed that he changes watches as often as he changes romantic partners!
Bond's watches in the films aren’t just for telling time; they are equipped with features like laser cutters and timed explosives. But for this article, let's stick to their primary function of timekeeping.
In his debut in 1962, 007 sported two watches, with the more renowned being the Rolex Submariner Oyster Perpetual. This is also the watch featured in the original novels. The other was a Gruen, an American brand now out of business.
The Rolex that defined Sean Connery’s Bond.
For over a decade, Bond remained loyal to these two timepieces, with the exception of a Hamilton watch in the 1973 film Live and Let Die.
From 1977 to 1985, Bond switched to Seiko, sporting several quartz watches, which caught me off guard. I always assumed Bond would exclusively wear mechanical watches for authenticity. How wrong I was!
Here’s a Seiko - James Bond sometimes opts for budget-friendly choices.
In 1987, during The Living Daylights, Bond surprised everyone by choosing Tag Heuer, often referred to as the "poor man's Rolex." Whether it was a matter of preference or not, Tag Heuer only made a single appearance in the franchise.
Tag Heuer made its brief debut.
By 1989, Bond returned to Rolex, specifically the Submariner line. Unfortunately, this was also the last time a Rolex was featured in a 007 film.
1995 was a pivotal year. First, it marked the debut of Pierce Brosnan, my personal image of James Bond. Second, it was when Omega became the official watch brand of the legendary spy.
Pierce Brosnan, the epitome of classic style, was the first Bond to wear Omega.
Unlike other brands, Omega has remained on Bond’s wrist for over 20 years, accompanying the character from Brosnan to Daniel Craig. The Omega Seamaster has been with Bond through various missions, from Vietnam to Colombia and the jungles of Africa.
Daniel Craig, a modern and robust Bond, continues the Omega legacy.
After nearly 50 years of thrilling escapades, James Bond boasts an impressive watch collection, ranging from luxury brands to vintage pieces and even more accessible options. While the timepieces he wears today often depend on commercial agreements between the film studio and sponsors, keeping an eye on the spy’s wrist in each new film is a delightful pastime for me.
Lastly, if you’re like me and don’t have thousands to drop on a James Bond-worthy watch, you can consider more affordable diver models like the Seiko 007 or Invicta Grand Diver Automatic. The Seiko 007 can even be paired with a NATO strap, reminiscent of Daniel Craig’s in Spectre.
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