James Bond played by Sean Connery, wearing a  Submariner 6538

The James Bond series, created by Ian Flemming started a long trend of illustrating iconic timepieces  both in the novels and in the movies - some with fantastic practical uses to help a spy out of some sticky situations.  Although Flemming himself famously wore a Rolex Explorer 1016, he wrote about the Navel Commander Bond who wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual.

In the movies, however, Sean Connery was seen wearing a Submariner 6538 with no date in the 1962 movie Dr. No.  Although the Sub had been discontinued in 1956, the 38mm Rolex Sub 6538 was seen with a leather strap, no crown guards and big crown.

Rolex Submariner worn in Dr. No

The same watch made its appearance in Goldfinger in 1964, with a too-small 16mm strap on the 20 mm lug Rolex timepiece.

No Date Submariner with small striped strap

Over the years, many non-Rolex brands made their appearance.  Roger Moore's movies often showed digital Seiko watches - one famously in Octopussy had a TV camera built into it, and another had a tracking device.  Two Omegas featured a grappling hook for climbing and a built in laser for cutting through metal bindings.  Sean Connery had his own Gruen Precision on display at a Baccarat table at the beginning of Dr. No.  Live and Let Die has a magnetic watch.  My favorite was a Rolex Submariner 5513 equipped with an actual working circular saw.

Rolex Pre-Daytona Chronograph Ref 6238 used On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Lazenby.jpg

Timothy Dalton wore a Tag Heuer 1000 PVD in the Living Daylights movie.  He was also the last Bond to wear a Rolex in Licensed to Kill - a Submariner 16610.

Rolex Submariner 16610 used in Licensed to Kill

The newest Bond portrayed by Daniel Craig has featured primarily Omega Seamasters, from the distinctive Seamaster Planet Ocean with black dial to the Blue dial Omega Seamaster Aquaterra used in Skyfall.  Even the evil Spectre steps into the action, wearing an Omega Seamaster 300 of his own.

I look forward to seeing what the Bond writers cook up for the next set of bond movies.  I would love for them to reach back to their roots and bring back the Rolex - with some unique enhancement made by Q.