What watch would James Bond REALLY wear?

[SubmarinerMariner]

Forget the paid product placements, contracts, and costume designer's ideas of what watches were 'minimalist' and 'ordinary' and let's just stick to how Ian Fleming portrayed his iconic character. James Bond, the epitome of masculine cool and style, wore a Rolex (as written by Ian Fleming).

However, Mr. Fleming did NOT specify what kind of Rolex our hero wore...and when they filmed "Dr. No", Rolex refused to lend a watch to the Broccolis for the filming of James Bond. The budget for "Dr. No" was so meager that Cubby Broccoli had to lend HIS Rolex to Sean Connery and it just so happened that his watch was a Submariner.

Now, the interesting thing is that the Submariner 6204 was released ONE YEAR AFTER the first Bond Novel...so, Ian Fleming was probably NOT envisioning a Submariner for his hero.

SOooo...let's just assume that a Submariner WAS available for Bond..given the abovementioned tale, WHAT Rolex would James Bond HIMSELF have chosen to wear?

[Sean.c]

if not the sub probably a platinum day date !!

[Mr. Greene]

I believe Bond wore the Explorer as Mr Fleming did, and that would fit with the style of Bond. however I believe with the current line of watches I think Bond would be at home with either the Submariner due to the Naval connection or the GMT for the amount of travel he does. at least that is my opinion.

[SirGrotius]

I'm going to say GMT or Exp II. Bond is a man of the world.

Somehow Exp II seems more British to me.

[rmfnla]

Since 007 is most often portrayed in a tuxedo I think a sports watch is a bit off the mark.

I like the platinum DD suggestion...

[Paladin]

I think Bond would still be wearing an explorer or maybe an SS oyster date or SS datejust. The last thing anyone involved in true covert operations wants to do is wear anything that would make him/her stand out in a crowd or be "memorable" to a casual observer.

The oyster date or datejust are incongruous enough to never stand out yet give him the water resistance and survivability to face many adverse situations and still be appropriate on the golf course, boating,a business conference or with a suit or tux.

Here is an in depth discussion here from TRF reference forum; The February 2009 issue of WatchTime magazine ran a feature article I'd written on my discovery of the original, literary James Bond watch: The personal Rolex 1016 Explorer worn by Ian Fleming and referenced by him in his novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=120138

[rmfnla]

Of course, if there was a WIS around any Rolex would make 007 stand out!

[robertneville]

subby, a real tool watch that also looks good with a tux!

[ArcticMoose]

Without a doubt it would be a Rainbow Daytona.

[SubmarinerMariner]

Well...some pics of James Bond watches...I think an Explorer would have been the one he would have worn...but it's nice to see the collection:

Following pics:
- Ian Fleming with his Rolex Explorer (my vote for what James Bond would have worn)

- Rolex Submariner (First one with crocodile strap "Dr. No", then NATO straps on the remaining films)...example pic of him in "Thunderball with NATO strap

- One of Roger Moore's fantastic James Bond SEIKO watches!!! lol (the era of LCD watches - you remember that time? I had a Casio Calculator)

- Daniel Craig in an Omega Seamaster for "Casino Royale"

(btw - Timothy Dalton resurrected the Submariners and then when Pierce Brosnan came along, it came time to switch out the Bond watch with the Omegas)....Interesting, overall

[azguy]

easy, it would be a 14060M

[Dr. Robert]

In the latest Bond "licensed by I. Fleming estate" book, "007 Carte Blanche" by J. Deaver....Bond wears a 34mm SS oyster date.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

In the latest Bond "licensed by I. Fleming estate" book, "007 Carte Blanche" by J. Deaver....Bond wears a 34mm SS oyster date.

X2....read that book recently and thought the same thing

[mmmmp]

Keeping in mind Bond only earned the wages of civil servant, it's safe to assume a precious metal Rolex would not be possible. Other than fine dining, J.B.'s only extravagance is his car.

[capote]

Explorer I sounds reasonable.

[A.J.R.]

GMT

[jlopicco]

Deep Sea, with a detonator where the helium escape valve is.

[Adam.]

Bond is a man of luxury. He drinks Bollinger and drives Aston Martin and spends time on Yachts. Bond would wear a Yacht-Master.

Omega does not fit Bond very well. Why would a man who wears Brioni and Tom Ford wear an Omega? His suit costs more than his watch. Omega may be a fine watch, but I do not associate it with haute couture. This would be the equivalent of Allen Edmunds showing up in a Bond movie.

[jamesbondOO7]

16710ln

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by mmmmp

Keeping in mind Bond only earned the wages of civil servant, it's safe to assume a precious metal Rolex would not be possible. Other than fine dining, J.B.'s only extravagance is his car.

What about his winnings at Baccarat..?

[gargamel647]

Originally Posted by SirGrotius

I'm going to say GMT or Exp II. Bond is a man of the world.

Somehow Exp II seems more British to me.

I think GMT also. Maybe in YG though.

[MY-WATCH]

GMT LN

Dressy and classy to fit bond yet very sporty
Functionality that is needed by a spy
Movable basel to be used in cutting ropes ...etc

[SALTY]

Gotta go with the 16710LN although an Explorer would not be out of the question.

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by SubmarinerMariner

Forget the paid product placements, contracts, and costume designer's ideas of what watches were 'minimalist' and 'ordinary' and let's just stick to how Ian Fleming portrayed his iconic character. James Bond, the epitome of masculine cool and style, wore a Rolex (as written by Ian Fleming).

However, Mr. Fleming did NOT specify what kind of Rolex our hero wore...and when they filmed "Dr. No", Rolex refused to lend a watch to the Broccolis for the filming of James Bond. The budget for "Dr. No" was so meager that Cubby Broccoli had to lend HIS Rolex to Sean Connery and it just so happened that his watch was a Submariner.

Now, the interesting thing is that the Submariner 6204 was released ONE YEAR AFTER the first Bond Novel...so, Ian Fleming was probably NOT envisioning a Submariner for his hero.

SOooo...let's just assume that a Submariner WAS available for Bond..given the abovementioned tale, WHAT Rolex would James Bond HIMSELF have chosen to wear?

Flemming did specify which watch Bond wore and it was an Explorer.

I believe it fits perfectly with Bond and can't think of any other Rolex he would wear. Flemming grew up in London in the early 1900's and I highly doubt he was told it's ok to wear a sports watch with a tux but maybe the explorer was a little bit rebelious.

Although not a personal favourite, I believe the Explorer is the only all occasion Rolex. I know a lot on here think it's ok to wear a sub with a suit but my uncle is a tailor who would give me a clip round the ear for doing that. Flemming grew up in Mayfair which is pretty posh and his family were extremely rich. He would of been attending high society parties all the time and a dress watch would of been manditory.

[AJMarcus]

SS Sub C. Remember Bond served in the Royal Navy before becoming 007

[Boothroyd]

Explorer I for his own, Sub ND for mission (no ceramic, far too shiny and attention getting..older model instead)..issued by Q, otherwise known as "Major Boothroyd".

Fleming wore the Explorer 1 for all occasions. Good enough of for me!

[jhupp]

Originally Posted by jay1988

Flemming did specify which watch Bond wore and it was an Explorer.

I believe it fits perfectly with Bond and can't think of any other Rolex he would wear. Flemming grew up in London in the early 1900's and I highly doubt he was told it's ok to wear a sports watch with a tux but maybe the explorer was a little bit rebelious.

Although not a personal favourite, I believe the Explorer is the only all occasion Rolex. I know a lot on here think it's ok to wear a sub with a suit but my uncle is a tailor who would give me a clip round the ear for doing that. Flemming grew up in Mayfair which is pretty posh and his family were extremely rich. He would of been attending high society parties all the time and a dress watch would of been manditory.

I mostly agree. Don't you think a Datejust is an all occasion watch too? Especially one with an Oyster bracelet. The date would be super handy too.

I don't see a GMT or Expy 2. The GMT hand would give away the home time zone a big NO NO for a spy. I could see a Sub date or Sub but I still can't wear a sports watch with a suit so I think Bond would definitely have a tough time.

[novan3]

Originally Posted by ArcticMoose

Without a doubt it would be a Rainbow Daytona.

You may've confused James Bond with Austin Powers.

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by novan3

You may've confused James Bond with Austin Powers.

While the OP was kidding (I hope).....

x2!

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by jhupp

I mostly agree. Don't you think a Datejust is an all occasion watch too? Especially one with an Oyster bracelet. The date would be super handy too.

I don't see a GMT or Expy 2. The GMT hand would give away the home time zone a big NO NO for a spy. I could see a Sub date or Sub but I still can't wear a sports watch with a suit so I think Bond would definitely have a tough time.

I was thinking Airking as well maybe but not DJ. I don't know why but the cyclops just doesn't seem very bond like in my mind. Saying that Bond is a fictional character so what he looks like in my mind and what he looks like in the eyes of you guys will be different.

I can't really see a date function being needed by a spy tbh with you and I can't see bond carrying around lots of watches. That's why when I read the books in my mind he's usually rocking an explorer one.