NO TIME TO DIE

Marking the release of James Bond’s latest film, pre-owned watch specialist Watchfinder & Co. takes a look back at some of 007’s most iconic watches

SEAN CONNERY

The 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 one, more specifically an Explorer I. So it was no surprise when Sean Connery sported a Rolex in the very first Bond film Dr No, an early Submariner 6538, also known as the ‘Big Crown’ due to its very prominent winding crown. First produced by the company in 1955, and only manufactured for four 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 Goldfinger. Good condition examples of this limited edition watch have sold for over £400,000 at auction.

GEORGE LAZENBY

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. The piece, favoured in motorsport, is often described as a kind of ‘pre Daytona’, as it has all the features of the enigmatic reference except the tachymeter bezel (a measure often used by drivers to calculate speed and units per hour). Bond’s 6238 is the only one of its kind – it was redesigned at the request of the producers to incorporate a red second hand that acted as Bond’s built-in compass.

ROGER MOORE