A Complete History of James Bond Wristwatches

In this video, I would like to produce a video covering every James Bond wristwatch from Dr. No to Spectre as there is currently no video on KZbin which serves this purpose. I have tried to include every film despite speculation as to wristwatches worn in some of Sean Connery's later movies.
For horological photography, please follow me on Instagram at: armand_the_watch_guy
For any questions or business enquiries, please email me at: [e-mail]

[@FyukYiu]

This is legit my favorite video. I’ve been a bond fan since middle school when Goldeneye came out and learned to watch all the films as I got older. This is legit the most satisfying video to watch bringing my two favorite subjects together.

[@jont8667]

The first watch was a GRUEN Precision. He wore the watch at the Baccarat table at the beginning of Dr. No.

[@we73]

Wow, very interesting, it was one of my ancestors, who build up the gruen watch company. Regards from Osthofen/Germany :-)

[@lordoflek]

I just picked up a very nice precision automatic with a blue dial for a song this weekend... you can find them in near perfect condition for a couple hundred bucks.

[@paulrawes]

My uncle, took me to a Pro- Celebrity Golf, match in the the Seventies, when I was ten year old, I asked, Sean Connery, for his autograph, he told me to ,"Fuck of, as, he was playing his stroke! The proudest moment in my life!

[@blackfacebogart]

Roger Moore does NOT wear a Datejust in A View to a Kill. It was a two tone Seiko 6923-8080.

[@user-uc3lc1ou3i]

He does wear one as St John Smythe, right before his cover is blown

[@grahamevincent]

Have to say one of the best review videos of the Bond selection I’ve seen as an avid Bond fan I thank you .... liked and subscribed 👍🏼

[@spee773377ee]

first watch was a Gruen

[@markcoveryourassets]

Thanks for the comprehensive overview. More brands than I expected, and I was not expecting (or remembering) as many Seikos despite my coming of "movie age" during Moore's reign.

[@Fosi94]

Pierce Brosnan + Omega Seamaster 300 + Goldeneye = The best thing ever.

[@renebense]

Armand is simply the best when you want to learn historical background of watches. There is no comparison. He simply stands out. TGV comes close sometimes, but Armand is all about content, TGV is all about ....TGV and his opinion on watches that most of the time he can't wear because of his tiny wrists. .. When you own a Seamaster or a Submariner, this video gives great content to use during conversations about the watch you are wearing. Thanks for that. In fact the content is so dense, you have to see it twice, and/or rewind to get it again. Anyway, great video, in depth content, bravo...10 out of 10.

[@mikeoconnor1819]

Great stuff, really well researched. Seiko Tuna my favourite, perfect tool watch for a Bond type operative.

[@jaredcampbell]

Great video! Love that you went through each film and each watch!

[@phmwu7368]

1967 "Casino Royal" has Rolex wrist watches in it...

[@J.Bradley.]

Do we ever get to meet Armand the watch guy? I think you do a really outstanding job of researching and presenting from behind the scenes but I can't help but wonder who it is that's speaking to me.

[@tim2468]

One of your best shows yet! The highest quality!

[@aleone5685]

Very nice. But I loved Spectre! Especially the watch and the Aston Martin. I found it quite entertaining.

[@da7inci]

This is by far the best video on the subject! Thanks very much for going through the details of each piece.

[@morgan97475]

"Moonraker" rocked! Bond in space, with a Seiko and Dr. Goodhead.

[@johnflavin4193]

The first watch that appeared on film was Connery's own gold Gruen 510 in the movie Dr. No. He was wearing this watch when he uttered the famous line, "Bond - James Bond".

[@Techn9cian123]

I always heard the 6538 was producer Cubby Broccoli’s.

[@johnhill8529]

It was. I worked on later Bonds and Connery confirmed it during a set visit as did Barbara Broccoli.

[@Mark-sd7fc]

Terrific video thank you so much for putting it together, had to be a lot of time consuming research involved

[@FenderBenderBilly]

Great work, Really enjoyed this - thanks and hopefully this is the first of many more film themed vids!!

[@chrislowe5462]

The best video on Bond watches I have seen so far, clear and to the point as always. Your videos always seem honest and unbiased , a refreshing change on all the so called youtube wristwatch gurus, keep it up .

[@mikestone9129]

Very good video. You explained the history of the Bond watches very well.

[@benironside1264]

The grab or hook on the world is not enough doesn’t save him from an avalanche, it saves him from a silo explosion “STOP GETTING BOND WRONG” 🐦 😂

[@hawk00055]

it us 4:00 in the morning locally but I have to watch this video! This is your best video yet!

[@lordofthemound3890]

One of the books, I think it was OHMSS, refers to lumed numerals on the dial of Bond’s Rolex. This would certainly indicate that Fleming was describing his own Explorer. Fleming often gave Bond tastes and traits that were his own, such as his love of scrambled eggs, and even his Commander rank.

[@warrenrhinerson6373]

Actually that was in Live and let die, but it cannot be Flemings explorer that he is mentioning. The model of Rolex explorer that Fleming wore tonight released to the public until 1959, live and let die takes place in 1953 or 1954 the submariner is a much more likely possibility

[@malthus101]

Let's pray he never wears an iWatch.

[@Mikey-pq4zf]

malthus101 I don’t think he will it’s too iconic for him not to wear a fine analogue watch

[@es2056]

AMEN!!

[@dalepress1581]

I read that in the next Bond movie he will be wearing an Invicta.

[@Usario321]

malthus101 I heard he’ll be wearing a Xiaomi Mi Band

[@adambrachtl]

@@dalepress1581 Lol, nice one !

[@RockandrollNegro]

The first watch was actually worn by Barry Nelson in the 1954 TV version of Casino Royale. The three most compelling guesses as to what it was are either a Bulova, Universal Geneve, or a Hamilton. Any thoughts?

[@jumboJetPilot]

Pretty cool! My uncle was the sound producer for James Bond from the first one, Dr. No through Octopussy. My uncle was close personal friends with Sean Connery.

[@ygrbooks]

Why have you not mentioned the Tissot PR-516 - the watch from Live And Let Die? 🤪

[@mdunawaym]

So glad to hear you say Moonraker is the worst! It came out when I was in high school, and is the only Bond movie I have seen. I decided never to see another. But I have really wondered what all the hoopla is about, so I have wanted to check out the earlier ones. Now I will!

[@stefanocecchini3260]

You made a fantastic video. Thank you!

[@pierfrancescoiobbi]

Stefano Cecchini anche i tuoi non sono da meno! ;)

[@GOMAROMA]

Good job...two of my favourite subjects rolled into one.

[@simoncrawford350]

Thanks for the info (& memories), I may have to dig out the briefcase collection (re-mastered) & watch them again🤔👍

[@davidcoleman2463]

. I am a watch guy and a bond fan . I have a Steinhart Ocean one 39 . I love. Right now I have my Hamilton field automatic on a Bond NATO strap . Thanks for the video .

[@bjoernaltmann]

In Casino Royale the watch brand is even named when Vesper asks Bond on the train: “Rolex?” to which he replies “Omega”.

[@ChrisDan94_]

I just bought a Casio diver used for $31 and about to snag the Connery and Craig nato pretty cheap. So iconic!

[@alabamadeep4471]

Ok. Nobody mentions Bonds Gruen 510. It was the first watch to he seen in Dr. No at the beginning and seen throughout the movie. Sean owned this watch. It is now his son's watch. But Sean bought the gruen 510 with his first steady paycheck in 59.

[@serfer1983]

30 mins video about James Bond watches??? Gotta get some popcorn. EDIT: Oh I love 1960's/70's Submariner, but that TAG Heuer 1000 on The Living Daylights...oh man....

[@stu632]

Fleming probably meant that he wore a Rolex Explorer as it was the watch he wore himself.

[@bjoernaltmann]

Great overview, very helpful. Gruen is a transcription of the German Grün (meaning Green). The founder was German and emigrated to the States. Ü would be pronounced like someone from up north in the UK would pronounce the letters oo in “book”.

[@terryfranks8040]

Thanks Armand for doing a great review on them classic bond watches

[@robertbutler2878]

..No mention of the Tissot PR516 worn in all the scenes in Louisiana in 'Live and let die'...

[@jaysikes4256]

Moonraker was so bad it was good. Jaws, lasers, outer space, classic!

[@arghjayem]

02:56 I am more inclined to believe it was a member of the crews watch. Firstly as you say due to the size and the NATO style strap used (although the genuine NATO strap isn’t introduced until years after the film). This style of strap was common place in the U.K. armed forces, and the Rolex submariner was actually a military issued watch within the Royal Navy. And it so happens that several of the stunt guys on the film, specifically the divers, were formerly part of the Royal Navy. So in all likelihood it was a Royal Navy issued watch.

[@johnhill8529]

I worked on later Bonds. During a set visit on a later film Connery and Barbara Broccoli confirmed it was Cubby Broccoli’s personal watch.

[@johnhill8529]

The Live and Let Die Submariner was sold for 365 000 Swiss Francs in Geneva November 2015.

[@raserx63]

Walking through LAX back in the 70’s I saw up ahead what looked like a man sitting on another mans shoulders. As I got closer I realized it wasn’t 2 men , just one huge one. Jaws himself , Richard Kiel. He was quite a sight to my 13 year old self. Oh..to make this about watches , I was wearing a Timex push-to-read LED digital ...black case and band 😁.

[@trevbarlow9719]

Great overview! I still think it's a shame that Bond never donned the 2254.

[@kristy77a]

Nice video, thank you. Lots of interesting tidbits plus the best up-close shot of the OHMSS pre-Daytona chrono I've ever seen. I've always like that watch and this was my best good look at it. Also, you seem to have overlooked THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, released about a year and a half after LIVE AND LET DIE. No watches of note in that movie?

[@TheGuitarBling]

That was awesome. Thanks Armand.

[@jrvilchis55]

Beautiful piece of history.

[@davidcoleman2463]

Great video .great history . I love Bond . I learned a lot from this video. Thank you .

[@alimouad5120]

Really enjoyed your detailed video. Good job!

[@rickewilde]

Very interesting vid.i have to say my personal favourite are the Omega range.i would love to own one someday.

[@seanpollard4844]

Great job! Very thoroughly impressive. Thanks.

[@kenny8675]

Well done video. I had no idea he wore so many Seiko's.

[@warrenrhinerson6373]

Honestly a lot of people in the watch community wood base where it watch technology and watch markets were based on what bond was wearing at the time

[@bulbhorn]

Great video, lots of fun. Thanks.

[@adozensparrows]

very good, comprehensive video on Bond watches! thanks.

[@jpdavis6042]

Much respect, Armand, for your scholarly dissertation. Learned so much. So true as to acquired aspirations when seeking out the desired Bond Rolex. You Only Live Tice, so might as well go for it, btw, that's my favorite Bond theme song. Regards, JP

[@rickewilde]

Maybe you should do a vid of watches worn by Bond Villains.

[@707947]

Iconic Olive red black nato

[@JamesK1963]

Great video. Although I always thought Moonraker was the best Bond movie featuring Roger Moore. Also, I think Spectre is the best Bond movie featuring Daniel Craig.

[@weaselidt6580]

Excellent video. First class

[@pedrosaenz2800]

Interesting!! Good to know that the last Omega has made Bond natos worldwide popular. OMEGA sells the 'original' fot US $160.00. Insane price for a piece.

[@eazye619]

Good video. I like Moonraker..Die Another Day is the worst Bond movie. Sadly Brosnan got screwed by the writing and directing

[@imranbecks]

You missed out the blue Omega Aqua Terra that Bond wore in Spectre while in Mexico City, early scenes in London and during the climax when he returned to London. Model ref no 231.10.42.21.03.003.

[@07989074102]

aesthetically, the blue omega seamaster is a great looking watch period. I don’t care what anyone says about it. I just love everything about it. The Rolex is also beautiful. Two iconic divers.

[@fospino68]

Great job Armand!!!!

[@doonsbury9656]

Enjoyed the video, but the watch Bond was said to wear in the James Bond novels, was fully described as a Rolex Oyster perpetual. As the novel Casino Royale was published in 1953 would could assume that the model would be prior to this year.

[@rockon21ful]

Armand, another amazing video full of great information.

[@kjeldpedersen666]

Hi Armand Very interesting video - thank you😉

[@Mark-lj1dj]

Amazing video 👏

[@GunCollector007]

Really great job on this video. Thanks.

[@mondrayuk]

Focusing on the watches that have appeared in the Bond films. For me, the one that stands out the most is Spectre based on the Seamaster 300 1957 with the hour bezel and lollipop seconds hand. The twin barrel master COSC 60 hour power reserve 8400 Caliber is superb all the way. Genuine classic looking with modern component with a 15,000 Gauss anti-magnetism. So well built and will always retain its appeal throughout time. In the Seamaster 300M and the Planet Ocean the HEV/HRV being unnecessary as one would never go deep sea diving to the point that helium would need to escape the watch, so what was the point? The Aqua Terra being a good one BUT the current 8900 version better dial design would have been better. Roger Moore's 5513 Rolex Submariner being second (over the similar Dalton's 16610) Connery's Rolex 6538 being third.

[@ashleyb66]

Ah yep, as others have stated, Gruen Precision was the first watch worn by Mitta Bond I'm afraid.

[@1701spacecadet]

If I sent a vintage watch for service and it came back without the original bezel I would be kicking off big time!

[@kurts4867]

Thank you...great review. Really professional...

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

Damn that girl at 15:50 is pure dynamite! 😰

[@XeNos3131]

Anyone know of a Tyffany & Co Gold watch believed that 12 pcs were produced for James Bond film?

[@goldfish8196]

Excellent video. Thank you !

[@RedcoatsReturn]

What was the watch Robert Shaw used to try and garrotte Bond in the train fight scene?

[@virtualvid4662]

Very good thanks. Please don't say "over and out" though, it doesn't make sense!

[@trailblazerkingdaytonaalfa3318]

Just Fabulous Great information.

[@pupupupu7323]

I own the gruen precision 510 and the Rolex Explorer 14270 and i feel so "James Bond"!

[@kellykitkat40]

It is a little crazy to use Mr. Bond to market a watch, for he himself never gives it any thought, but simply accepts whatever watch Q and company give him to wear.

[@Rangerprovidence]

There is some debate that Dalton wore a 16800 Rolex submariner and not the Rolex 16610 Submariner, since during the filming the 16610 was just released.

[@frnciscob1]

I own a gruen precision, similar to bonds however it's not gold tone, I'm not a huge fan of yellow gold.

[@malikknows3510]

That nylon strap looks smaller than 18mm. It looks 16mm or even smaller. Wow, that is a gap! Once in a while I wear an 18mm on a 20mm lug width and the gap of only 2mm is no big deal, and looks much smaller than does the gap in those screen shots. Given the smaller size of watches back in the day, it is not surprising really.

[@grantgre]

Very excellent video!!

[@watchlife_reviews]

Amazing video my friend. New sub!

[@snacklofter]

Most enjoyable.Thank you.

[@user-xf6ql5zd6x]

Ermmm... Breitling Navitimer 806 featured in Thunderball?????(incomplete history)

[@shahzadzafar71]

Superb video

[@varanid9]

Agreed, Moonraker, as a Bond film, was a joke. Literally.

[@hantms]

Wow, that's impressive! Ultimately though I think Bond should wear Rolex. But money talks, I guess.

[@vincentvangogh4174]

About first Rolex - "According to legend, the watch belonged to the movie’s producer, Cubby Broccoli, when Rolex declined to be involved with the films"

[@goldengooner5654]

you never mentioned the special editions that Omega made for the 40th and 50th years, the special Bond watches from CR, QOS, SF, Spectre, which you can buy, but are collectors watches and limited editions. How Omega were the 1st to do this and its make them a lot of money.

[@kirbyparkwest4392]

Karl Malden wore a 1970 Gruen dive watch in the Streets Of San Francisco.

[@W140MercedesS600]

Brosnan Seamaster 300M #1

[@philipmcritchie7309]

Great video !!!!!!

[@evanstrong3779]

What is the song in the intro?