What's the iconic Bond watch? (to you) [+]

What's the iconic Bond watch?

  • Rolex Submariner

    Votes: 17 58.6%
  • Omega Seamaster

    Votes: 8 27.6%
  • One of the other ones (really?)

    Votes: 1 3.4%
  • I don't know what a watch is

    Votes: 3 10.3%

But Rolexes cost a lot more than Omegas.

Don't get me wrong, I love them both, and Rolex and Omega are traditional rivals. But when it comes to exclusivity, Rolex is way ahead, and always has been. You can see Rolexes for six-figures while I've not seen an Omega for more than 30K or so (at the top end). On a price/value/exclusivity level, Rolex has it hands-down.

Now, there are a handful of more exclusive brands--Patek Philippe being an obvious example, but there are others--but Rolex is higher in that list than Omega. You can pick up a Seamaster for about 4 grand, but a basic Submariner will set you back 10 grand or so, even on the used market. Omega is pretty awesome though--Buzz Aldrin wearing one certainly gives it Bond-level cache!

Sorry, mild watch nerd.

So, I'll admit I am not a watch nerd. I'm also not the biggest Bond fan. And the Corvette comparison may have been undervaluing Rolex a bit. Maybe Ferrari would be a better comparison?

But I have trouble connecting this info back to the original question. Yes, Rolex is more expensive. Yes, Rolex is more famous. Maybe even "better", as I'm definitely not qualified to assess.

But what makes Rolex iconic to James Bond? The Astin Martin isn't the highest end sports car, or the most famous, or the only car Bond drives. But I'd consider it iconic to James Bond. Partly because of the British connection, but at least in part because it's less famous than Rolls Royce or Bently. The fact that it's more unique helps forge the iconic-ness of the connection. Being more well known as a higher end watch makes the Rolex a stock luxury reference for Bond rather than something I associate with the character.
 

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Morrus

Well, that was fun
Staff member
So, I'll admit I am not a watch nerd. I'm also not the biggest Bond fan. And the Corvette comparison may have been undervaluing Rolex a bit. Maybe Ferrari would be a better comparison?

But I have trouble connecting this info back to the original question. Yes, Rolex is more expensive. Yes, Rolex is more famous. Maybe even "better", as I'm definitely not qualified to assess.

But what makes Rolex iconic to James Bond? The Astin Martin isn't the highest end sports car, or the most famous, or the only car Bond drives. But I'd consider it iconic to James Bond. Partly because of the British connection, but at least in part because it's less famous than Rolls Royce or Bently. The fact that it's more unique helps forge the iconic-ness of the connection. Being more well known as a higher end watch makes the Rolex a stock luxury reference for Bond rather than something I associate with the character.
Well, you didn't say any of that! You just said Rolexes are 'basic', 'not exotic', and 'Omega went to the moon'. :)

Which doesn't answer the fun question of this thread--what is the iconic Bond watch? So, despite opinions of the relative value of the brands... the question was what is the iconic Bond watch? That has nothing to do with its value--if it's a £12 Casio, it's a £12 Casio (it's not)--but what watch do you associate with James Bond?

Though I'd dispute that Aston Martin is not famous. It's certainly more famous than Omega. But that's by-the-by.

For me, it's the Submariner. Connery, being effortlessly cool. Moore.

The Seamaster is awesome (I have a blue Brosnan Seamaster and I love it; I also have a Submariner). I can see an argument for the Seamaster.
 


Morrus

Well, that was fun
Staff member
Rolex Sub with the NATO strap. There is no other.
You're talking about Connery's Rolex Submariner 6538 with the gilted dial. So gorgeous. Ignoring the strap, that'll set you back a tidy $100K. It's a truly beautiful watch. They don't make those gilted dials any more.

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Dannyalcatraz

Schmoderator
Staff member
Supporter
Context: of the watch brands Bond has worn, my Dad has a Rolex, I have an Omega, and my Mom & I both own Seikos. (None are the models worn on screen.)

Omegas & Seikos can be beautiful and are eminently functional, but I’d probably consider Rolex to be the iconic brand & models for the character. Part of that is the exclusivity & snob appeal of the brand itself: the strata of society in which 007 so frequently finds himself operating would note the details of such things, especially those of a villainous bent. A Rolex belongs on the wrist of someone playing high-stakes baccarat. An Omega might mark him as someone putting on airs.

Could Bond have operated in the places he was infiltrating wearing a Timex, driving an MG, and wearing a track suit? Certainly…but it would have been much more difficult.


Tangential FWIW: I may eventually get a smartwatch, but I’m pretty partial to classic watches. I’ll probably only wear a smartwatch at home, unless required for work. There’s one aspirational watch left on my list: the Hamilton Ventura.

 
Last edited:

Morrus

Well, that was fun
Staff member
Could Bond have operated in the places he was infiltrating wearing a Timex, driving an MG, and wearing a track suit? Certainly…but it would have been much more difficult.
I dunno... he pretty much did several times. Well, not Timex and MG specifically, but he's worn inexpensive watches and driven cheap cars before!

Tangential FWIW: I may eventually get a smartwatch, but I’m pretty partial to classic watches. I’ll probably only wear a smartwatch at home, unless required for work.

I used to, for the health/fitness tracking stuff mainly. I've now switched back to classic watches, and got an Ouara(sp?) Ring for all the hi-tech stuff I need.

There’s one aspirational watch left on my list: the Hamilton Ventura.

Pretty!
 

Dannyalcatraz

Schmoderator
Staff member
Supporter
I dunno... he pretty much did several times. Well, not Timex and MG specifically, but he's worn inexpensive watches and driven cheap cars before!
I remember the Citroen from a Roger Moore movie, and a couple others. And while they’re not in the watch-snob class of the other watches Bond has worn, Seikos aren’t exactly cheap.

But I’m thinking more in the context of Bond showing up at a casino in Monaco and playing baccarat (or something similar) to measure & goad the master villain of the movie. Those scenes play out very differently if he tries that dressed like a chav. The odds of him getting to sit across the table from the antagonist would be much slimmer. They might not even let him in the building.*

OTOH…
1728822871109.jpeg







* I’ve been in one Monaco casino in my life, as an American teen on vacation in the mid-80s. I vaguely remember a dress code that I barely met, and my access was somewhat restricted.
 

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