Film enthusiasts believe Connery was also an avid Rolex fan and watch collector, and that the Dr. No Rolex Submariner 6538 belonged to him. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond girl Pussy Galore made history as the first and only female in the Bond films to be shown wearing a Rolex watch.
Beginning with Dr. No in 1962, James Bond can be spotted wearing a Rolex non-perpetual with a cold-colored case, light-colored dial, and dark colored strap, it became known as the Sylvia Trench Rolex. In the same movie, he also sported the Rolex Submariner 6538, which became Bond's signature watch.
Although traditionalists would argue that Fleming intended Bond to wear a Rolex, many fans would argue that Bond is more of an Omega man. And, ever since Goldeneye in 1995, James Bond has worn an Omega timepiece on screen — continuing with Daniel Craig.
Surprising to some, Rolex never actually paid or solicited for their product placement within the films, and they did very little to take advantage of the association. By the nineties, product placement had become a lucrative business, so creators staged a bidding war for an Official Watch of James Bond, and Omega won.
Daniel Craig's salary for portraying James Bond in Spectre (USA/UK, 2015) is estimated to have totalled around $39 million (£25.4 million), making him by far the highest-paid actor to have appeared in the Bond series to date, even allowing for inflation.
In terms of overall accuracy, Omega wins, since they not only make mechanical watches but also quite a few quartz watches. Quartz watches, as we all know, are more accurate than their mechanical counterparts. Rolex, on the other hand, doesn't manufacture quartz watches anymore.
Each authorised dealer receives less than 5 a year. Production is even shorter than the 116500LN Daytona. Waiting lists are an average of 4 years. The Sky-Dweller is Rolex's most complicated watch and takes more than a year to make.
So the origins of this story begin with the first James Bond film, Dr. No, where we famously see Sean Connery sporting a stunning Rolex Submariner 6538.
While his late grandmother and father both showcase an affinity for a range of brands, Prince William has remained loyal to a single watch, the Omega Seamaster 300m. The Prince's Seamaster was a gift from his late mother, Princess Diana, before she passed.
James Bond (Roger Moore) wears a Seiko 6923-8080 quartz two-tone analogue watch, model number SPD094, in A View To A Kill (1985). Interestingly enough Roger Moore ALSO wears his personal, very similar looking Rolex DateJust in some shots of the same scene.
Daniel Craig played James Bond and wore two Omega watches; the Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial 41mm model # 2220.80. 00 as well as the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Big Size model # 2900.50. 91, steel on a rubber strap.
Every Rolex watch is hand-crafted by skilled artisans who take pride in their work, ensuring that each timepiece meets its incredibly high standards. Rolex uses only the finest materials, such as 18-karat gold & diamonds, to create their watches.
The 6538 - a piece that ceased production in 1959 - has been considered something of a rarity ever since its starring role, and although Connery's specific wristwear isn't on auction, the model is still a highly desirable piece due to the big Bond connection. The vintage Rolex bit helps, too.
Much later on in his career, McQueen was famously known for adoring his Rolex Submariner ref. 5512. This watch did make it to the movies like The Towering Inferno and The Hunter, but, it most often was noted for appearing in more private shots of the movie star.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum was where Carl F. Bucherer watches garnered the most attention. Akin to the previous two films, Reeves continued flaunting the Manero AutoDate, a 38mm automatic watch in stainless steel with a white dial.
On later seasons of the show, Selleck famously wore a Rolex GMT-Master, but for the first few years of the series the actor swore by a Chronosport Sea Quartz 30, a sturdy, unassuming dive watch that perfectly complemented his signature mix of sportswear, workwear, and military pieces.
The Clint Eastwood Rolex is the name given to the Rolex GMT-Master reference 16753 with a Jubilee bracelet. Eastwood would frequently wear this watch both on-screen and off-screen. What is the price range for a Clint Eastwood Rolex?
The Oscar winner also has the classic stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. The 40mm watch with a graduated blue dial really looks great on his wrist. The current market price (March 2023) is around $150,000.
This is a story about the history of the U.S. NAVY SEALs wearing and depending upon Rolex Submariner & SEA-DWELLER models, as well as Tudor Submariner models for their mission critical timing.
“Patek has been making watches for 180 years, while Rolex has only been around for 110,” notes Bob's Watches founder and renowned Rolex collector, Paul Altieri. “But in that time they've eclipsed any other luxury watchmaker. Patek may still be tops in terms of pure prestige, but Rolex is more iconic and much cooler.
Without exaggeration, the Rolex Daytona is one of the most coveted watches in the world today and is almost impossible to buy if you were to simply walk into a dealership.
Since 1995, James Bond has worn an OMEGA Seamaster in every film. Over the years, we have also created special tribute timepieces with features that honour 007 and his legacy of genre-defining movies.
If you like your watches tooly and bold, Breitling is likely to be the better option. However, if you're looking for a subtler watch with an indisputable level of prestige, Rolex may very well be the brand for you. Collectors and enthusiasts will likely own timepieces from both luxury watch brands anyway, right?
What is the best and cheapest Rolex you can get? Any Air-King, Datejust, or Explorer on our list are fantastic choices if you're looking for a cheap Rolex watch. Still, a popular opinion among many Rolex enthusiasts is that the Air-King is the best affordable Rolex.
