Famous Watches – WatchRanker

Rolex Explorer: 70 Years of an Icon

Nikola Plecas — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Rolex, without a doubt, remains one of the leading Swiss watchmakers in the entire horology industry. One of the mainstays in the Rolex catalog, since the early 1950s, is the high-caliber Explorer. This particular collection is its oldest sports watch, yet remains the most understated.

With over a seven-decade history, the Rolex Explorer has undergone some notable modifications and alterations while at the same time retaining its fundamental design traits. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into Rolex Explorer’s origin, including some of its top-tier watch models in the collection.

A Brief History of the Rolex Explorer

First climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest; Sir Edmund Hillary (left) and Tenzing Norgay (left) (Source: Iciclesadventuretreks.com)

After several attempts to climb the summit and incoming snowstorms threatening the expedition, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay finally became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 2, 1953, at exactly 10:30 AM. On their wrists – at an altitude of almost 9km, fighting extreme conditions, low pressure, wind gusts, and temperatures below -45°C – two identical Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches.

Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, was known to be a marketing genius. His philosophy for the company was: “Only great marketing is needed to make a company successful”. He certainly knew the power of product placement, so he supported the 1953 British expedition to Mt. Everest by equipping the men with Oyster Perpetual watches.

“The Rolex watches, with which members of the British team were equipped, proved their dependability on Everest.” wrote one member of the expedition. “We were delighted that they kept such accurate time. They performed splendidly, and we have indeed come to look upon Rolex Oysters as an important part of high climbing equipment.”

If ever there was a textbook example of perfect product placement – this is it!

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became renowned around the world, and their achievement would capture the imagination of generation upon generation of future explorers.

That same year, 1953, Rolex released the Explorer Ref. 6350 model. The design was simple, yet sophisticated, with an inverted triangle at the top of the dial, printed Rolex text, and painted 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals indices. Legible, robust, and reliable, the Rolex Explorer is a true definition of a tool watch!

The Evolution of Rolex Explorer

Rolex Explorer Ref. 6610

In the 1950s, Rolex proudly introduced their new brainchild – the cutting-edge caliber movement 1030. This was Rolex’s first complete in-house movement, both designed and built by the Swiss brand. The newly launched caliber 1030 was a lot slimmer than its predecessors, and, more importantly – was chronometer rated. This new movement was first used with Rolex Explorer Ref. 6610 which saw, for the first time, the use of a flat caseback.

The Rolex Explorer Ref. 6610 features a sleek 36mm stainless steel case and bracelet. It comes with a handsome black dial, which is protected by plexiglass crystal. The dial is furnished with the famous 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals indices and an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock.

Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016

In 1963, Rolex released yet another iteration in the Explorer line. This one, the revered Explorer Ref. 1016, would become one of the longest-running sports watch references in the industry. But, not only that. It would also become one of the most sought-after and wanted references of all time. This reference, among other things, managed to survive all throughout the infamous Quartz crisis!

Like the older watch models, the Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016 has the same 36mm case size, which is made of well-polished stainless steel. It is paired with a nice black dial and a stainless steel bracelet. Driving this model is the high-caliber caliber 1570, which is an automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve. In addition, this timepiece is now equipped with an in-depth 100-meter water resistance rating.

Rolex Explorer Ref. 14270

Production continued until 1989, almost unchanged, except for a couple of small details: movement was upgraded, so Explorer received a hacking mechanism, and, more importantly, Rolex stopped using Radium and switched to Tritium instead. But, big changes were implemented in the late 1980s which saw the introduction of Ref. 14270.

The Rolex Explorer Ref. 14270 was one very different watch. Not so much because of its design features – those remained true to the core Explorer DNA. But a new era was slowly coming, and – Rolex was changing. The beautifully soft, distorting acrylic was replaced with cold, scratch-resistant flat sapphire crystal. A modernistic and cosmetic change, in line with the more and more luxurious nature of Rolex watches.

The Ref. 14270 is presented in a 36mm stainless steel case and bracelet. These things are paired with a beautiful black dial with the same 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals indices. What powers now this watch is a high-end caliber 3000 movement that delivers a 42-hour power reserve. A whopping 100-meter water resistance is also integrated into the watch.

Rolex Explorer Ref. 214270

New generation of consumers had little use for the utilitarian design features of old Explorer references. The 36mm watch, designed originally to be practical, elegant, and inconspicuous on the wrist, saw the biggest change in 2010 when Rolex supersized it from 36mm to 39mm, in line with modern trends and demands of the market.

But, weirdly enough, the Rolex Explorer Ref. 214270 (or the 39mm Explorer, as many call it today) was arguably the most polarizing Rolex Explorer reference to date. Many purist Explorer enthusiasts were appalled by this new reference, and change in size, claiming that only the 36mm Explorer is the “true” Explorer. Powering this timepiece is a top-notch caliber 3132 movement, delivering a 48-hour power reserve.

After Baselworld 2010, and the release of the 39mm Explorer, I vividly remember having many heated arguments with watch enthusiasts on the matter. I personally liked the new size. I welcomed the change because almost every “vintage” watch that I liked had one fatal flaw, for me at least – the size. 36mm is just too small for my wrist and I always wished those watches were a couple of millimeters larger.

Over the last two decades, Rolex and many other companies went larger and larger with their sports watches, following the trend. At some point, I really thought Rolex would release the Explorer in 41mm. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on the camp you sit in – they didn’t.

Rolex Explorer Ref. 124270

Rolex Explorer Ref.124270

In 2021, with the newest and latest Rolex Explorer Ref. 124270, the brand went back to the old 36mm size. I did not expect that! I don’t think anyone in the industry really did. In the era of everything getting bigger and bigger, Rolex downsized its watch! The meaning and message behind it? I don’t know. Rolex works in mysterious ways sometimes. Perhaps the voices of those Rolex purists were finally heard.

The Ref. 124270 is crafted using a stainless steel case and bracelet. It is adorned with a nice black dial, which is protected by a sapphire crystal. Movement-wise, the brand utilized the top-tier caliber 3230 to power the watch. It delivers a superior 70-hour power reserve, with a useful water resistance rating of 100 meters.

Final Thoughts

The Rolex Explorer is a great watch and a true testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to precision, reliability, and elegance. With its timeless design, exceptional performance, and unrivaled reliability, the Rolex Explorer is truly a masterpiece in the world of horology. It’s a watch that is equally at home on the summit of Everest or in the boardroom, making it the perfect choice for the modern adventurer who demands the best.

All images are courtesy of eBay unless otherwise stated.

Featured image courtesy of Omegaforums.net

Planning to buy another high-end Rolex watch? Make sure to read our article about the Best Entry-Level Rolex Watches.

Hamilton Watches in Movies (Hollywood Watch Spotting)

TickTock — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 13:50:09 +0000

Hamilton is a classic brand that has ingrained itself within the American culture. While the brand is now considered a Swiss brand, Hamilton still wears its “Red, White, and Blue” spirit on its sleeves. Other than having its roots firmly in the heart of America, the brand has also branched out to another widely popular medium – the film industry.
Of all the watches that appear in movies, Hamilton is one of the brands that clearly stands out – Hamilton watches have appeared in over 500 movies!
In this article, we will be looking at the most iconic watch models from Hamilton that have basked in the limelight of the silver screen. There are far too many models to cover in one article but we’ll go over the most iconic Hamilton watches that have appeared in popular movies.

Hamilton Watches in Movies

Khaki Field Mechanical

Men’s Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Watch H69439931 (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Featuring a military-style aesthetic and build, the Khaki Field Mechanical watch certainly exudes that rugged charm.
So, it is not surprising that it is attributed to movie characters in the law enforcement profession.
The 38mm stainless steel round case with olive green NATO strap gives the Hamilton Khaki Field that classic military design. The case also incorporates a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window. Underneath the robust build also lies an H-50 caliber mechanical movement vaunted for its 80-hour power reserve. This Hamilton Field Watch also delivers a decent 50-meter water resistance rating.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is seen on Tom Wachowski, played by James Marsden, in Sonic the Hedgehog’s high-octane family film (2020). Being a small-town sheriff, the durable, functional, and affordable Khaki Field Mechanical H69439931 is innovative and practical.

Jazzmaster Seaview Chrono Quartz

Hamilton Men’s H37512131 Jazzmaster Seaview Black Chronograph Dial Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Classy, sleek, and functional – the Jazzmaster Seaview Chrono Quartz is one stylish timepiece. With its chronograph functionality, the Jazzmaster Seaview Chrono gains several layers of practicality as a timekeeper. The polished 44mm round case accompanies the rotating bezel and features a touch and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window.
The black dial accentuates the luminous diamond hour markers and dauphine hands. As for the three sub-dials, the silver-tone accent helps improve its visibility and legibility. Additionally, there is a date display located beside the 4 o’clock marker.
Inside the classy exterior is a caliber 251.274 quartz movement. The case also comes with an excellent water resistance rating for up to 100-meters.
The Jazzmaster Seaview Chrono Quartz watch is worn in TENET, the outstanding science-fiction action film, directed by Christopher Nolan. The Jazzmaster Seaview was worn by the lead actor, John David Washington.
There is also another Hamilton timepiece in the film, the limited-edition Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO Auto, which comes in Blue and Red versions.
These two Hamilton analog watches feature a more tactical design. The design bases itself on the digital time-traveling watches in the movie, also designed with the help of Hamilton.

Khaki Field Murph Auto

Hamilton H70605731 Khaki Field Murph Auto Men’s Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Simple yet features a dash of elegance; the Khaki Field Murph adds a certain level of finesse to its aesthetics. The Murph Auto incorporates a rudimentary round silver-tone stainless steel case with the standard Hamilton Field Watch. The Khaki Field Murph Auto comes in with a well-rounded 42mm diameter case and a rugged black leather strap.
A scratch-resistant with anti-glare finish sapphire crystal window accompanies the robust round case. The exterior design also provides the Murph Auto with solid 100-meter water resistance, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
The black dial accentuates the luminous orange tinge Arabic numeral hour markers. There are also striking cathedral-style hands that enhance the overall sophisticated charm of this timepiece. Also, caliber H-10 mechanical movement is under the refined dial, injecting this timepiece with an impressive 80-hour power reserve.
This timepiece is worn and named after the character Murphy Cooper, played by the talented Jessica Chastain in the mind-melting science-fiction film, Interstellar (2014).

Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto

Hamilton Men’s ‘Khaki Aviation’ Swiss Automatic (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Featuring a 42mm stainless steel case accompanied by black calfskin leather, the Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto showcases a sleek yet rugged appeal.
As a top pilot watch should, the Khaki Aviation focuses on legibility, which it delivers in spades.
The design of the dial is impeccable, and the symmetry is quite fantastic. All the detail presented within the black dial is highly legible and well-organized. The silver-tone Arabic numeral hour markers come in minutes (outer rim) and hours (inner rim). The date display is at the 6 o’clock position, and a prominent day display at the 12 o’clock position.
Underneath the highly detailed design is the caliber H-40 Swiss-automatic movement, which boasts an outstanding 80-hour power reserve.
This pilot timepiece also has an impressive 100-meter water resistance rating, making it a suitable watch for air and sea.
The Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto also appears in the award-winning science-fiction adventure film, Interstellar (2014). NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, wore this timepiece.

Khaki Field Auto

Hamilton Khaki Automatic Movement Black Dial Men’s Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

The Hamilton Khaki Field Auto is a classic field watch that exudes toughness and reliability while retaining a refined charm. This field watch comes with a 42mm round stainless steel case equipped with sapphire crystal glass. The brushed stainless steel case is emphasized by a brown cow leather strap which adds to its rugged demeanor.
The black dial incorporates silver-tone and bold Arabic numeral hour markers. In addition, the inner rim features a 24-hour format marker, and there is also a date display located at the 3 o’clock position. The luminous analog hands contrast the black background, while the red-tipped second hand allows it to distinguish itself further.
The Khaki Field Auto’s case also features a build that allows it to meet a water resistance rating of up to 100-meters. In addition, the caliber H-10 Swiss-automatic movement with an outstanding 80-hour power reserve is at the heart of this stylish yet rugged timepiece.
The classic military aesthetic of the Khaki Field Auto is probably the main reason it is in The Avengers (2012) movie. How else can you highlight Hamilton’s all-American spirit than by having Captain America, played by Chris Evans, have it as his primary timepiece of choice?
The watch’s connection to the movie makes it a perfect watch for Marvel fans.

Khaki Field Auto Chrono

Hamilton Khaki Field Day Date Automatic Men’s Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Coming into the stage with a no-nonsense and sleek black tactical aesthetic, the Khaki Field Auto Chrono is as tough as it appears. The black dial features luminous sword-shaped hands and Arabic numeral hour markers that exude a degree of rigidity to its design. This Hamilton timepiece is directly inspired by tactical military equipment, along with the 42mm black PVD stainless steel case and black textile band.
Inside the rugged case is the caliber H-21 chronograph Swiss-automatic movement with a solid 60-hour power reserve. In addition, the exterior build of the Khaki Field Auto Chrono also gives it excellent 100-meter water resistance, and the sapphire crystal window significantly boosts its scratch resistance.
This particular timepiece had a decent exposure in the John Krasinski action thriller series, Jack Ryan. The titular character wore the Khaki Field Auto Chrono during season 1 and season 2. The all-black tactical design of the Hamilton chronograph watch made it a perfect companion for the former U.S. Marine and CIA agent, Jack Ryan.

Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono

Hamilton Men’s H77616133 Khaki X-Wind Automatic Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

The Khaki Aviation X-Wind features all the vital elements of a pilot watch: accurate, legible, and functional. One of Hamilton’s unique features to the Aviation X-Wind is the drift angle calculator, which helps pilots calculate the crosswind factor during their flights.
This Hamilton pilot chronograph watch utilizes a technical design with its 44mm stainless-steel case. Accompanied by a sapphire crystal window, the Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono is also quite robust. Additionally, the case comes with 100-meter water resistance, making this timepiece suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
Over at the back, you will see that Hamilton employed a transparent case that complements the caliber H-21 Swiss-automatic movement within. The sophisticated complication that makes the Aviation X-Wind Auto a marvel to behold. Additionally, the H-21 automatic movement provides this timepiece with an impressive 60-hour power reserve.
The Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono also appeared in the Jack Ryan series, worn by CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence, James Greer. Wendell Pierce played the character and wore this Aviation X-Wind throughout the first and second seasons.
Additionally, a brown leather strap version of the Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono can be seen in the science-fiction film, Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), worn by Liam Hemsworth character, fighter pilot, Jake Morrison.

Jazzmaster Day Date Chrono

Hamilton Men’s Automatic Jazzmaster Silver Dial Stainless Steel Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

The Jazzmaster Day Date Chrono exudes such a refined style that this is among our picks of the best dress watches in the market today. The polished 40mm stainless steel case and brown leather strap, along with the elegant dial design, make this quite a striking traditional timepiece.
The white dial accentuates the gold-tone dagger indices and luminous dauphine hands. There is also a day display located at the upper rim and a date display at the bottom. The dial utilizes an anti-glare and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window for added durability.
Inside the classy design of the Jazzmaster Day Date Chrono is the caliber H-40 Swiss-automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 80 hours. True to its Jazz moniker, this Hamilton dress watch delivers a level of finesse and class while keeping things pretty subdued.
This elegant timepiece is in the Ocean’s film series spin-off, Ocean’s Eight (2018), worn by Sandra Bullock’s character, Debbie Ocean, the sister of a suave master thief, Danny Ocean.

Ventura Quartz

Hamilton Men’s H24411732 Ventura Stainless Steel Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

If one particular Hamilton watch has managed to engrain itself into pop culture history, it is undoubtedly the unique shield-shaped Hamilton Ventura model. This timepiece first garnered attention when Elvis Presley personally handpicked it for his 1961 film, Blue Hawaii. See Elvis Presley’s watch collection here.
The eye-catching design of the Ventura made it an iconic timepiece for Hamilton. With its sleek 31mm stainless steel shield case and anti-reflective mineral crystal window, it delivers that high-quality vibe in spades. The inclusion of a black leather calfskin further adds to its classy appeal.
Underneath the timeless design is a quartz movement that provides excellent precision at all times. The Ventura also holds a decent 50-meter water resistance rating which means it can withstand brief immersions.
Besides being a favorite of Elvis Presley, the Hamilton Ventura also became a staple of the blockbuster science-fiction franchise Men in Black (1997 – 2012).
The Ventura is the official timepiece given to MIB agents and is on Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin’s wrist throughout the first trilogy.
The franchise’s fourth installment, MIB: International (2019), saw Chris Hemsworth wearing the iconic timepiece with Tessa Thompson wearing a lady’s version of the Ventura.

Jazzmaster Viewmatic Auto

Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic Men’s watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Another stylish dress watch from Jazzmaster, the Viewmatic Auto, comes with a 40mm PVD red stainless steel case. This timepiece also features a transparent back case to give a clear view of the complex caliber H-10 Swiss-automatic movement that makes it tick. In addition, the movement packs a whopping 80-hour power reserve, making the Viewmatic Auto extremely reliable.
The dial incorporates a combination of gold-tone Arabic numeral and dagger indices and luminous dauphine-style hands. There is also a prominent date display that is over at the 3 o’clock position.
The Jazzmaster Viewmatic Auto is among the myriad of stunning timepieces featured in the award-winning television series, Billions (2016 – 2021). The Viewmatic Auto is worn by Paul Giamatti’s character, Charles Rhoades Jr, during seasons 1 to 5.
See the other watches worn on Billions.

Khaki Navy Frogman Auto

Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Automatic Men’s Watch (Image: Amazon)

Check on Amazon | See on Hamilton

Designed for use by the U.S. Navy ‘Frogman’ teams, the Khaki Navy Frogman Auto is as practical, functional, and reliable as you would expect. Utilizing a case build that provides it with outstanding 300-meter water resistance, the Frogman Auto is suitable for most water-based activities, from swimming to scuba diving.
The 42mm case comes with a unidirectional rotating bezel, a must-have feature for dive watches. The case also incorporates an anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window. In addition, the Frogman Auto utilizes a transparent back case to fully appreciate the caliber H-10 automatic movement to give users a great view of its inner workings.
The caliber H-10 automatic movement also comes with a power reserve of up to 80 hours. Legible and reliable, the Khaki Navy Frogman Auto is one of the best dive watches around.
With its long history with Navy Frogmen, it comes as to no surprise that the Frogman Auto was the timepiece of choice by one of Aquaman’s most formidable foes, the Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Chris Kyle’s Watches In American Sniper (Bradley Cooper)

TickTock — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 10:00:31 +0000

Chris Kyle was a former U.S. Navy SEAL and was in its service for ten years and going on three separate tours to Iraq. During Kyle’s time in Iraq, he racked up at least 160 kills, the official record documented by The Pentagon, but actual numbers might be around 255. This achievement earned Chris Kyle the recognition of the deadliest sniper in American history.
Kyle earned the nickname of “The Legend” from his comrades in the U.S. armed forces and a less pleasant name from the locals as “The Devil of Ramadi”. He later released his best-selling autobiography titled “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History”.

American Sniper (Image: Amazon)

The book was published in 2012 and maintained its slot in the N.Y. Times Best Seller list for about 37 consecutive weeks. In 2014, the memoir was adapted to film by director Clint Eastwood with Bradley Cooper taking on the role of Chris Kyle.
Unfortunately, the real Chris Kyle could not see the film as he sadly passed away after being shot by a fellow veteran, Eddie Ray Routh, who Kyle was trying to help and was suffering from PTSD in 2013.
The film adaptation received six nominations during the 87th Academy Awards, which included a Best Actor nomination for Bradley Cooper. The film ultimately wins one award for Best Sound Editing.
In this article, we will be looking at the watches worn in the film adaptation by Bradley Cooper. We will also be touching upon known timepieces worn by Chris Kyle in real life.

American Sniper Movie 2015 (Amazon)

Watches In American Sniper – Bradley Cooper (Chris Kyle)

Casio G-Shock DW6600

Casio G-Shock DW6600 (Image: Casio)

In the film, we see that Bradley Cooper is wearing a which was pretty accurate for the time. Most military personnel in that era wore this watch as it was affordable yet incredibly tough and reliable. The G-Shock DW6600 has since been discontinued by Casio, but you can still find one on eBay.
We get a peek at the watch during this particularly intense and somewhat disturbing scene in the film that puts into perspective the horrors of war:

The G-Shock DW6600 is an older generation model, making it a bit difficult to find online (check eBay).
It features key functionalities that are still present in all G-Shock watches today. The DW6600 comes with the signature G-Shock durability, stopwatch, 24-hour countdown timer, and an E.L. backlight with afterglow.
The DW600 was issued to the Navy SEALs back in the mid-90s and early 2000s, and we have plenty of pictures that show Navy SEALs wearing this timepiece during training and in the field. Before the U.S. military tapped the G-Shock, it was the Rolex Submariner, once considered the standard Navy SEALs watch.
However, the low-cost, lightweight, and toughness of the DW6600 managed to take the spot from the Rolex Submariner. The first generation DW660 debuted back in 1994 and came with all the standard features such as the E.L. backlight, which illuminates the entire display, a first in the G-Shock series.
In addition to the excellent shock-resistant build, the DW6600 also has a decent 200-meter water-resistant rating. As we have stated earlier, the DW6600 is rather tricky to find nowadays due to being discontinued back in 2010. The Navy SEALs has since worn G-Shock watches and Casio Pro Trek and Suunto timepieces.
For those looking for the current generation alternative to the DW6600, you can check out the DW6900 and the DW9052, on Amazon that both incorporate similar aesthetics and features.
You can also read our article on the Best Military G-Shock Watches if you are interested in similarly designed timepieces from the same manufacturer.

Check out the watches worn by other famous Navy Seals here

Watches Worn by Christopher Scott Kyle

Resco Patriot

Resco Instruments Patriot Watch (Image: Resco Patriot)

Check on eBay

Chris Kyle also wore the Resco Patriot. This timepiece is handcrafted and designed with the help of an actual Navy SEAL.
This timepiece is exceptionally durable and has passed Basic Underwater Demolition Training tests, which means it is one of the more reliable dive watches to date. The Resco Patriot is also quite practical with its design.
The Resco Patriot is the official brand given to Navy SEALs, so Kyle has one in his collection. This watch also features a premium grade build using sandblasted stainless-steel case and sapphire crystal dial window.
Underneath the robust design is an automatic self-winding movement that operates its analog display. In addition, the watch comes with a unidirectional rotating bezel and a 200-meter water resistance rating.
This specially designed timepiece incorporates bead-blasted 316L stainless steel with INCABLOC shock absorber technology for enhanced durability. The dial also features C3 Super Luminova technology for improved visibility in low-light environments.
Inside this rugged Navy SEALs watch is a Swiss Val 24 self-winding mechanism that clocks 28,800VPH for impeccable accuracy. The window dial is also pretty impressive with its domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating.

Rolex Submariner

Rolex Submariner Date 116610 (Image: Amazon)

Chris Kyle also has a Rolex Submariner, which his wife is currently wearing in memory of him. This timepiece was a gift from Kyle’s father-in-law, as stated by him in his memoir.
Also, the Rolex Submariner was the preferred timepiece of Navy SEALs back in the day due to its impressive durability and water resistance.
The Rolex Submariner offers a water resistance rating of up to 200-meters, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. While Rolex is best known now as a luxury watch brand, you can’t overlook the fact that it is still one of the most well-made watches in the world.
The Rolex Submariner, for example, is highly regarded by divers due to its performance. The Rolex Submariner comes with premium-grade materials and build. The 40mm case and bracelet feature brushed 904L Oystersteel.
A black cerachrom ceramic bezel inserts along with an anti-glare coated sapphire crystal window with magnified cyclops lens over the date display.
Inside the robust and refined aesthetic of the Submariner is the COSC certified Rolex caliber 3135 automatic 31-jewel chronometer movement. This watch movement clocks an impressive 28,800VPH which means it has excellent precision.
In addition, this Rolex dive watch also provides solid 300-meter water resistance. This ATM rating makes the Submariner a suitable timepiece for most marine activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving.

Don Draper Watch Collection- Watches Worn On Mad Men

TickTock — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 19:20:05 +0000

Award-winning TV series Mad Men, which is set in the 1960s, revolves around the mysterious and talented ad man Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm).
This is a period drama that has won awards in the course of its seven seasons. Some of these awards were for costume design, which has received praise for the attention to detail and accurate representations of the period’s design and fashion.
One of the costume elements that caught the audience’s attention was the watches. The dapper and sharp Don Draper is seen wearing different popular watches of the era. The show progresses with Don gaining success in his advertising job, and so does his choice of accessories—watches that were popular during the portrayed eras.
The costume designers of the show used elements such as clothes and watches as representations of Don’s (as well as the other characters of the show) career. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these watches and go back to the episodes where they appeared. We’ll also talk about the watch themselves, discussing things like history, similar models, and where you can buy them.

Don Draper’s Watches From Mad Men

Mad Men also features other watches worn by other characters, but this one will solely focus on the models worn by Don Draper. We’ll arrange them chronologically, and also tell you more about their history.

Season 1 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox (wikimedia.org)

This watch first appeared in Mad Men’s first season. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox is the first watch that watch-loving viewers noticed Don wearing. This watch is striking yet simple, establishing that Don is a man of good taste.
The Swiss-made Memovox was first introduced by the brand in the 1950s. The name is a portmanteau of Latin words “Memor” (meaning “remembering”) and Vox (meaning “voice”) – “the voice of remembering.”
The watch was phased out before the end of the decade. What makes this watch special is its alarm feature. When it was released, it was the first automatic watch to have an alarm. The watch had a number of versions: the first Memovox was equipped with Calibre 489, and in 1956, the brand replaced it with Calibre 815. Then, the company released Calibre 825, which became very popular, had a date module—check out Hodinkee’s full review of the watch here.
There were a number of Jaeger-LeCoultre models inspired by the Memovox—one of these is the Memovox Deep Sea, wherein the brand combines its alarm feature in a water-resistant watch. There’s also the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris, which is a dive watch that has an alarm mechanism, with an internal rotating bezel.
In 2010, the Memovox made a comeback. The company released the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox, fitted with a Calibre 956 movement.
The new models are still available online and in stores, but there are some vintage pieces that are still available on websites such as eBay, such as this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox; and the Memovox Polaris Anniversary edition.

Season 2 – Jaeger-Le Coultre Reverso

Jaeger LeCoultre Grande Reverso (Image: Bob’s Watches)

This watch first appeared in Mad Men’s second season. The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso is pricier than the Memovox, showing that Don is enjoying success and also earning more. This was the time when he was made a partner by his agency Sterling Cooper.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso, a polo watch, was released in the early 1930s and continues to be popular today. This watch has an Art Deco-inspired design—an elegant rectangular case and a white dial. In order for polo players to protect the glass (a common problem with watches at the time), Jaeger-Le Coultre created the timepiece in such a way that one can flip the case to display its caseback.
The model that Don wears on the show is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Reverso Classique, which was a popular luxury watch at the time. Simple and elegant, the model has a brown leather strap and yellow gold case. This model has an 18-karat case, which can be swiveled to show an engraved image —Betty, Don’s wife had the watch engraved in Season 2.
This watch made many appearances on the show—Don continued to wear this watch in the seasons that followed.
Read more about the rich history of the Reverso here.
The watch became so popular that in 2012, Jaeger LeCoultre released the Reverso Ultra Thin watch, a model designed for the show. This tribute watch was released as a limited-edition of 25 pieces and has a caseback with an engraved “Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce” embossed logo. The watch also comes with a personalized commemorative letter from Roger Sterling (a “gift” to the new watch owner), reproductions of Jaeger-LeCoultre advertisements, and a copy of Sterling’s book “Sterling’s Gold.” The watch is also autographed by Matthew Weiner, the show’s creator. This article by Hodinkee shows photographs of the watch in Sterling’s actual office.
See these affordable Reverso watch alternatives here, while no one can really replicate the unique JLC design these at least have a similar style primary watch face.

Season 4 – Rolex Explorer

Rolex Explorer (Image: Bobswatches)

In Mad Men Season 4, Don upgraded his watch collection again, this time with a Rolex. It is during this time that one could notice his fascination for luxury sports watches. During this season, he was working on a Rolex account, so it was only fitting that he uses his client’s product.
The model that Don wears throughout the season is a stainless steel Rolex Explorer with a black dial.
The Rolex Explorer, though sometimes overshadowed by the more popular Daytona and the Submariner, is a favorite among many watch enthusiasts. First released in1953, this timepiece was made for mountain expeditions—the company launched the Explorer line to commemorate the successful expedition of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in Mt. Everest. Rolex has released a number of versions of this watch over the years, but the general design remained the same.
You can read more about the evolution of the watch in this comprehensive article.
The watch has luminous markers, which is a contrast to the black dial, allowing the wearer to use the watch even in harsh weather conditions.
The accuracy of this watch for the period, however, has caused some debate. It has been said that the watch could have been very difficult to get during the early to mid-1960s in America, as Rolex bracelets were still not very popular in the country then (the Rolex explorer was first released in 1953). Some sharp-eyed audience also pointed out that the sapphire crystal on Don’s watch is a feature that was not introduced by Rolex until the 1970s.
An article on Bob’s Watches mentions that Don’s Rolex Explorer could be more current than the show’s period. This means that the watch is an anachronism—a watch placed in a period where it does not fit. Others also think that this could be a marketing strategy; that Rolex could have given the watch a lot of screen time for promotion.
If you like the look of this watch but not the price tag – see these affordable Rolex Explorer alternatives.

Season 5 – Omega Seamaster Deville

Omega Seamaster Deville

See on eBay

In the show’s fifth season, Don starts wearing an Omega Seamaster DeVille, an elegant analog dress watch with a black dial, a black strap, and a date window at 3 o’clock.
During this time, the watch design was considered stylish and unconventional, as it had a dark-colored dial (most of the popular luxury watch models during the period had white versions). The 34mm watch has simple yet elegant stick indexes and baton hands.
As the name suggests, the Omega Seamaster was developed by the brand as a diver’s watch. Included in this collection is the Seamaster DeVille, which is one of dressier models (the DeVille was eventually re-released as a separate collection later on).
An article by Fratello Magazine says that the model Don was wearing was probably the automatic caliber 562 or 563, which are the calibers that Omega produced during the early to mid-1960s.
Don wears this watch throughout the fifth season. An Omega is an elegant watch to have, but after wearing luxury watches like Jaeger LeCoultre and Rolex, this seems like a more toned-down model for Don, something that could symbolize maturity and age—a simple yet powerful watch to go with his larger-than-life confidence.
The Seamaster DeVille has a simple and subtle look, which made it continue to be popular in the decades that followed. In the rest of the show’s run, Don is seen wearing his DeVille until Season 7, the last of the series.
A bit of trivia: Jon Hamm was seen wearing the same watch when he was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in 2013.
Vintage Omega Seamaster Deville watches are still available online. eBay has a number of different DeVille models
During the show’s sixth season, Don was also spotted wearing what some think is another Seamaster Deville, a yellow gold case with another black leather strap.

The Watches of Mad Men – An infographic by the team at Buy Watch Winders

Peanuts & Snoopy Watches – Timeline Of Watch Collections By Brand

TickTock — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 16:47:40 +0000

Timex Snoopy watch (Image: Joe Haupt)

Charles M. Schulz created the Peanuts comics, which is considered as one of the most influential comics in history, in the 1950s. During its run, it was published in over 2,600 newspapers, had award-winning TV specials, films, movies, books, earning Schulz more than $1 billion.
Peanuts officially ended in 2000, the year that Schulz died, but the story of the gang— Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, Peppermint Patty, Sally—continues to live on in tributes in different forms of art, fashion, and music.
The iconic group is widely present in the watch designs. Over the years watchmakers have incorporated Peanuts in their designs, creating nostalgic and playful pieces, which this article will take a closer look at. If you’re looking for a Peanuts or Snoopy watch design to buy, this is for you. We’ll feature some of the best models available today, as well as link some pieces that are no longer in production.

Peanuts & Snoopy Watches By Brand

Armitron Peanuts Watches

Armitron Snoopy (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

Armitron is an American watch brand founded in the late 1950s. Around the same time that the brand was launched, they released watches with Peanuts designs.
The brand has not released any new Peanuts-inspired watches, but a lot of these watches—some of which are now considered rare—can be found on sites like eBay. Most of these are relatively affordable too, like this Armitron Peanuts watch with Snoopy and Woodstock on the dial is priced at $49.99, and this vintage green Snoopy watch is $29.95.
See more vintage Armitron Peanuts watches available for sale here.

Timex Snoopy & Peanuts Watches

Timex has a long history of watches devoted to Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts characters.

Timex Marlin

Timex Marlin Snoopy (Image: Amazon)

See on Amazon | See on Timex

The Timex Marlin is the brand’s popular collection of simple and elegant watches that first came out in the 1960s. The classic Marlin design has a natural leather strap and a domed acrylic crystal. The Marlin Automatic is naturally wound, moving as the wearer moves.
Timex released a special Snoopy Space Traveler leather watch, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing. The watches have the same features as the classic Marlin, still moving as the wearer moves, and have the sleek leather strap, and the domed crystal.
There are three models: one has a minimalist design that features the Snoopy Space Traveler at 6 o’clock, and another with Charlie Brown flying a kite. There’s also the Snoopy as Flying Ace design, which is currently sold out on the Timex website.

Timex X Peanuts

Timex Weekender Peanuts Charlie Brown (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on Timex

The Timex x Peanuts collection has watches that have the featured character’s arms as watch hands. There’s one with Charlie Brown with a black two-piece stitched leather strap; and another of Snoopy, which has a brown strap. Both watches have not only legible Arabic hour and minute markers, but also made clear by the Indiglo Light-Up watch dial.

Timex X Space Snoopy

Timex Weekender X Space Snoopy (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on Timex

There’s also the Timex x Space Snoopy watch, which also celebrates the lunar landing. This one’s a limited edition, website-exclusive watch that has a retro design: a silhouette of Snoopy on a multi-colored Timex Indiglo Light-Up dial. This 40mm model has a stainless steel case, a quartz analog movement, and an acrylic crystal. The water resistance is up to 50m.
Space Snoopy is available in kids’ sizes, too. Both 28mm, these watches are designed with Snoopy and Woodstock: one is Astronaut Snoopy and Woodstock on a pink dial, and another is just an Astronaut Woodstock on a blue dial. Both straps are made of elastic fabric, providing comfort.

Timex Peanuts For Todd Snyder

Timex x Peanuts for Todd Snyder 34mm (Image: Timex)

See on Timex

In 2018, Timex released four Peanuts watches for Todd Snyder, an American fashion brand. All four designs have one thing in common: the characters’ arms as an hour and minute hands.
In this collection, there are three Peanuts characters included: Snoopy (two watches, on a white and red dial), Charlie Brown (on a white dial), and Linus (on blue dial. All watches are sized 34mm with leather straps, a domed acrylic crystal, and a water resistance of up to 30m.
See the rest of the brand’s Peanuts watches here.
To learn more about Timex, you can also check out our Timex Brand Review as well as the best of the brand’s watches for Men and Women.

Invicta Character Collection – Snoopy & Woodstock

Invicta Character Collection 28519 (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

Invicta released a limited edition Character Collection, which features beloved characters from classic shows. One of the designs features Snoopy and Woodstock on the dial.
One model is a 36mm watch that has a stainless steel band with a rose gold tone. The dial is a white mother of pearl with the characters positioned at 2 o’clock and 9 o’clock. It has a unidirectional bezel and a date window at 3 o’clock. Another 36mm option is a blue metal sunray dial with a two-tone stainless steel strap. There’s is also a bigger model at 40mm, with a stainless steel silver strap.
Invicta’s Character Collection also includes characters like Garfield and Popeye. If you’d like to learn about Invicta, you can also check out the Watch Review article that we wrote about the brand, where we discuss its history, most popular collections, and links to Invicta stores.

Fossil Limited Edition Snoopy Watch

Fossil Limited Edition Snoopy (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

American brand Fossil has a limited edition Snoopy watch with a stainless steel case and bracelet with a white dial designed with a smiling Snoopy on the face. This was a limited-edition release and is no longer in production, but some pieces were still available on Amazon.
This Fossil Snoopy watch is a limited-edition model with a leather band that came in a wooden box occasionally comes up for sale on eBay, the watch celebrates the 50th anniversary of Peanuts. Another model is this collector’s watch that was sold by Fossil in the 90s. The watch came with the iconic red dog house.

Undone Peanuts Watch Designs

Undone Peanuts Linus (Image: Undone)

See on Undone

Undone is a company the personalizes and customizes watches for customers all over the world. The revolutionary Hong Kong-based brand has the unique concept of allowing its customers to fully customize their watches, letting them choose materials such as cases, dials, hands, bezel, strap, and so on.
Founder Michael Young, who has an excellent reputation with watchmakers and fellow enthusiasts, says that the goal of the brand is to allow its customers to be part of a collaboration with the watchmakers. The customer leads, and the watchmakers create a high-quality watch using modern technologies, with prices that range from $250–$500.
You can read more about the company from this feature.
The company collaborated with Peanuts in its URBAN One World Chronograph collection, which pays homage to the Peanuts characters. The collection has a total of six models, with a limited-edition piece (currently sold out), and another that is fully customizable. The watches feature the beloved Peanuts characters: Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Linus, Lucy, and Peppermint Patty. Check out the different models here.
Last year, the brand released its Peanuts: Lunar Mission collaboration, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.
Read more on Undone.com about the story of NASA’s collaboration with Charles M. Schulz here.
The Lunar Mission collaboration has a wide range of designs (21 different styles with the Peanuts characters), with the gang dressed up in Advanced Crew Escape Suits (ACES). The ACES has a special shade of orange, which is used in the aerospace industry for maximum visibility. Other features include a stainless steel case, hardened domed K1 crystal, and water resistance of 30m. The watch is also powered by a Seiko Instruments Inc. VK61 / VK64 Mechanical-Quartz Hybrid Flyback Chronograph movement.

Omega Speedmaster Snoopy Watch

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Moonwatch Snoopy (Image: Omega)

See on eBay

We’ll cap off the list with a Snoopy design by Omega—the iconic Speedmaster. The watch is a tribute to the 45th anniversary of the legendary Apollo 13 mission and the Silver Snoopy Award that OMEGA received from the astronauts upon their safe return to Earth, this timepiece tells a story of the brand’s role in space exploration and highlights NASA’s connection to Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
This 42mm watch celebrates the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission, as well as the Silver Snoopy Award that was given to Omega by astronauts after their return to Earth (the mission’s crew used Omega Speedmasters during the mission).
The Snoopy “Moonwatch” design is a white dial with a Super-Luminova Snoopy at 9 o’clock, saying “Failure is not an option.” On the right side of the dial is the line “What could you do in 14 seconds?” which represents the 14 squares on the comics. The watch is made more elegant with a classic black and white color combination, which pays tribute to newspaper comics.
On the back of the watch is a 925 silver Snoopy medallion with a striking dark blue enamel. The special thing about the case back is that each was crafted by hand, which means that every watch is unique. To learn more about the production process, you can check out this page.
Some of the main features of the watch include a stainless steel case, a coated nylon fabric strap, chronograph, small seconds, and tachymeter, and a water resistance to 50m. The crystal is a scratch‑resistant sapphire, and the black ceramic bezel has a SuperLuminova on the tachymeter.
Because this model is limited and is an Omega Speedmaster, it’s not cheap—the watch costs $7,350 on the brand’s official website.

F1 Inspired Watches – Formula One & Luxury Watches Drivers Wear

OfeliaSM — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 09:29:07 +0000

Watches have long been an important part of Formula One. Many luxury watch brands have affiliations with the sport, sponsoring different F1 events, drivers, and championships.
It’s only natural for Formula One and watchmaking and entwined. The two have many similarities: both require precision, expertise; and both are associated with style and luxury. Many luxury watch companies invest in teams every year, sponsoring events and creating watches that pay homage to some of the most successful drivers in the world.
This article will take a closer look at these sponsorships, and also talk about the watches worn by some of the biggest names of F1 racing.

Formul 1 race cars (Image: Jose Maria Miñarro Vivancos)

Formula One and Watches

International racing sport Formula One or F1 is known as the highest class of single-seater auto racing and is one of the most important forms of racing in the world.
Governed by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile or the International Automobile Federation), the word “Formula” is the set of rules that the drivers must follow. A Formula One driver’s goal is to cross the finish line first, completing the number of laps determined. The sport was first introduced in the 1920s in Europe, but it was not until 1946 that the FIA standardized the rules.
One of the major sponsors of Formula One events are watch companies, and consequently sponsoring some of the best racers in the world. Some of the brand ambassadors for Rolex, for instance, include race champions Sir Jackie Stewart, Mark Webber, and Nico Rosberg Tag Heuer, for instance, has many ties with motorsports events. The brand is Red Bull Racing team’s official timekeeper, official watch, and team performance partner. The company has also sponsored championships such as the FIM Endurance World Championship and Indy Car Series.

F1 Inspired Watches

We’ll begin the list with some of today’s most popular watches inspired by Formula One—collaborations and creations created not just for racers, but also to the fans of the sport.
If you would like to learn more about watches for car lovers, you can also check out our article on Watches For Car Enthusiasts, which discuss automobile-inspired watch designs.

TAG Heuer Carrera Red Bull Racing Special Edition

TAG Heuer Carrera Red Bull Racing (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has many F1-inspired watches and collaborations. This is one of its more expensive models, a Red Bull Racing Special Edition
The Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre HEUER01 is a robust 45mm with a black PVD steel brushed case, a tachymeter, and a dial with features such as a minute scale, three counters, and a blue flange with 60 seconds. There is also a red-lacquered central hand that brings out the predominantly blue colors of the strap, bezel, and case.
This watch comes in three different strap materials and color variations: a blue calfskin rubber leather strap (this model), a red rubber strap, and a black leather and rubber strap. The movement is a Tag Heuer Calibre Heuer 01, and the power reserve is up to 50 hours (chronograph operating for 40 hours).
Tag Heuer has dozens more Formula 1 watches on its website. You can check out the models here.

Edox Chronorally S

Edox Chronorally S (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

This one has a relatively affordable price tag. Producing watches since 1884, Edox is a Swiss watch company that produces both classic and sporty watch models, such as the Edox Chronorally-S, a 44mm stainless steel quartz watch with an antireflective sapphire crystal, luminescent hands, and a unidirectional bezel.
The Edox Chronorally-S collection is a collaboration with the Sauber F1 team. The idea is to produce a durable sports watch that is able to endure harsh conditions.
There are more Chronorally models on the company’s website—see them all here.

Casio Edifice Chronograph EQB-800BL-1AJF

Casio Edifice Chronograph (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

The goal of Casio’s Edifice line is to have a collection that provides versatility, with features that can be used in a professional setting as well as with casual wear. Made of materials such as stainless steel and resin, this collection has models with prices ranging from $99 to $380. There is a wide range of watches to choose from (see all of on Casio’s website).
The motorsport-inspired Casio Edifice EQB-800BL-1A is a flagship race lap sports chronograph. This model, which was created by motorsports fans and professional racers, is extra special, as it has the Connected Engine Technology, which allows the wearer to link the watch to a smartphone.
The company consulted with members of an Edifice-supported professional racing team. This allowed the watchmakers to add a target time indicator, positioned at 12 o’clock. This extra feature, according to Casio, “allows engineers to determine the timing required for team engineers to approach a vehicle, so more accurate values can be posted on the pit board. Spectators as well will also appreciate the ability to time vehicles they support as a race unfolds before them.” You can read more about the target time indicator here, where it’s discussed in detail.
Other features include a day indicator, date display, a 100m water resistance, and Dual Dial World Time. Some of the smartphone functions are automatic time adjustment, stopwatch data transfer, and world time for 300 cities.

IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Chronograph Automatic

IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Chronograph (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen is a luxury brand known for its partnerships with motorsport brands. In 2013, the brand became the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. It also has partnerships with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
IWC Schaffhausen has produced a number of watches that pay homage to the sport. One of the most popular is the Ingenieur Automatic Edition “AMG GT,” a limited edition (only 25 pieces produced) that is made from solid boron carbide ceramic, the hardest ceramic in the world, that the brand says is “as hard as a diamond and as light as aluminum”—a first in the world.
Another outstanding model is the Ingenieur Chronograph, a stainless steel automatic and self-winding watch with a blue dial and luminous hands and markers. This 42.3mm watch has tachymeter markers around its outer rim, and a chronograph with three sub-dials (60-second, 30-minute and 12-hour).
See more racing-inspired models here.

Famous Formula One Drivers & Their Watches

Here are also some popular Formula One drivers and the watches they either endorse or those that they have been spotted wearing casually or during races.

Daniel Ricciardo / Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 17

Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 17 (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

The Red Bull Racing team is sponsored by Tag Heuer, so one of its members, Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, has been spotted wearing Tag Heuer models. One of these is the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 17, which has an automatic chronograph.
Ricciardo also wore the limited-edition Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, a smartwatch the combines three main qualities: “speed, performance, and cutting edge technology.”
This 45mm watch, which has a case of fine-brushed and polished titanium, a sapphire crystal, and a sandblasted ceramic bezel. This one’s compatible with both Android and iOS and has a touch screen. The watch was made with partnerships with Google and Intel
Check this page for other materials and color variants available.

Steve McQueen / Tag Heuer Monaco

Tag Heuer Monaco (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

Nicknamed “The King of Cool,” American actor Steve McQueen was one of the most sought-after stars in the 1960s. A race car and motorcycle enthusiast and sponsored by Tag Heuer, McQueen made one watch very popular: the now-iconic blue-faced Tag Heuer Monaco 1133B Caliber 11 Automatic.
The watch rose to popularity after McQueen wore it in the 1970s film “Le Mans.” The watch had approximately 15 minutes of screen time, enough for the audience to see a unique, futuristic-looking timepiece. This watch was extremely special, as it was the first water-resistant watch with a square case; as well as the first automatic chronograph. It has a fine-brushed steel case and bezel, sapphire crystal, and luminescent markers.
To this day, the brand continues to market the watch with his image. There are now more different colors and sizes to choose from, including the Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf Special 50th Anniversary Edition, created 50 years after the rise of the iconic watch. This one has the Gulf colors that McQueen wore to the movie: a blue dial, as well as the striking blue and orange racing stripes. The strap is perforated calfskin, which has orange stitching.
This watch has currently 15 Monaco models available—you can check them all out here. It’s also made our list of the Best Square Watches For Men.

Lewis Hamilton / IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch

IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch IW503002

See on eBay

IWC Schaffhausen supports the Mercedes race team. Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has been spotted wearing watches by the brand in previous years, but one of the most popular models is his collaboration with the brand.
IWC Schaffhausen collaborated with Hamilton to create the “Lewis Hamilton” Big Pilot’s Watch, a Perpetual Calendar Edition (reference IW503002). The 46.5mm watch, which has a 52615 manufacture calibre, with an in-house movement with a Pellaton winding system. This model has a bold matte black ceramic case, as well as a Bordeaux red dial and textile strap. The caseback ring is made of 18-karat red gold, and the perpetual calendar displays the lunar phase and the day, date, month, and year.
Christian Knoop, the company’s Creative Director, said that Lewis approached them with an idea of a red and gold watch. He explained that the creation started with Hamilton’s favorite model, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar. “We decided on a case made of black ceramic with hints of gold and a Bordeaux-red dial and textile strap,” he added. “This combination radiates understated luxury.”
IWC Schaffhausen produced only 100 pieces of this watch, and the price tag is around $57,000.

Nico Rosberg / Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date (Image: Bobswatches)

See on Bobswatches

German-Finnish racing driver Nico Rosberg ‘s father Keke Rosberg—a world racing champion—once told him that in order to leave his legacy in motor racing, he needs to achieve two things: the Monaco Grand Prix and the F1 Drivers’ World Champion—both of which he accomplished in his career (he officially retired in 2016, after winning the Japanese Grand Prix). It’s worth noting that Nico won in Monaco exactly 30 years after Keke did.
On its official website, Rolex has a page called “Every Rolex Tells a Story,” where famous personalities share their experiences with Rolex timepieces. Nico’s story as about his purchase of the watch: after he won at Monaco, he decided to go to a Rolex branch and buy a rose gold Daytona for his wife–he had been planning to do so but got busy during preparations for the race.
After he found the Daytona, he saw to his right a Rolex Submariner, which is a watch he said he’d always admired. Winning the Monaco race, he decided he would treat himself, so he ended up buying both watches. “This watch stands for the great period I had at the Monaco Grand Prix,” he said.
The iconic Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date uses Oystersteel, a durable material developed by Rolex; as well as the Oyster Bracelet, which is comfortable and equipped with Glidelock, which allows adjustments without the use of tools. This dive watch has a calibre 3135, a self-winding mechanical movement. Read more about the watch here.

Michael Schumacher / Omega Speedmaster

Omega Speedmaster (Image: Amazon)

Read Amazon Reviews | See on eBay

German racing driver Michael Schumacher is known as one of the greatest Formula One drivers in the world. He is the only driver who has won seven Formula One World Championships (five of which was won consecutively), and a record holder for the most Grand Prix wins.
Schumacher, who is now retired following a skiing accident in 2013, was an Omega ambassador starting 1995. The iconic Speedmaster, which is also known as the first watch on the moon as it was worn by Buzz Aldrin in 1969, has a number of Speedmaster models dedicated to Schumacher’s career and legacy.
One of these is the Omega Speedmaster Michael Schumacher World Champion 2000, a limited edition watch which was limited to 10,000 (6,000 of which has a black dial, and 4,000 has white). This model has red and orange checkers marks outside the dial, as well as Schumacher’s name. The following years saw more models: Omega Speedmaster World Champion 2001 Schumacher (limited to 11,111 pieces), and the Omega Speedmaster World Champion 2002 Schumacher (limited to 5,555).

Featured Image: LG전자

Popular OMEGA Watches Worn By James Bond

TickTock — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 16:15:46 +0000

From a young age, I was captivated by James Bond and the exciting fictional life he led. My favorite Bond is definitely Sean Connery because he exuded testosterone. However, no one would disagree that Roger Moore brought a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the role. Over the years the franchise grew exponentially and product placement became more dominant. Most people would associate 007 with glamourous locations, beautiful women, expensive cars, exquisite Saville row tailoring and of course luxury watches.
Subconsciously my passion for fine mechanical watchmaking probably began with Dr. No. Compared to later installments, this film is pretty low key when it comes to gadgets. However, I do vividly remember Sean Connery a stunning Submariner Reference 6538, which at the time looked oversized. As rumor would have it this amazing timepiece either came from the actor’s personal collection or was donated by the crew, producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli or director Terence Young. In this case, the actual truth is academic because the watch has been immortalized on screen. Interestingly the model made appearances in From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball. For a similar range of preowned Rolex timepieces visit ‘Bob’s Watches.’
Over the years trends changed and different watches from brands including Seiko made an appearance in the films. However, for many people (including myself) the Submariner is synonymous with the franchise. Since 1995 Omega has been James Bond’s watch of choice and there have been some very attractive models. With the imminent release of “No Time To Die.” (February 2020) Here are four of my personal favorites, which are all from the Daniel Craig era.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m GMT

The Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m GMT was first worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale back in 2006 (and later in Quantum of Solace). This film was a game-changer for the Bond franchise, which (in my opinion) had become too gimmicky. The Seamaster is a serious watch which looks absolutely fantastic. Of the two models, I prefer the 45.5 mm in diameter because it makes a really bold statement. Features like the unidirectional black ceramic rotating bezel and Helium escape valve make this watch suitable for professional diving. Impressively this timepiece is water-resistant to a depth of 600 meters (2,000 feet). Aesthetically the watch also has an elegant appearance and looks great with a dinner suit.

View the Omega Planet Ocean Collection at Bob’s Watches

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M

In Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond he really bulked up for the role and that’s why the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m GMT was a perfect fit. However, by the time he made Skyfall he had slimmed down slightly and was cultivating a more refined appearance. That is why the Omega (as well as the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m GMT) introduced the more dressy Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M. This timepiece has a much smaller case diameter of 38.5mm, which perfectly compliments Tom Ford’s finely tailored suits. I love features like the blue dial, which is decorated with a Teak Concept pattern, elegant brushed steel bracelet and date window (located at 3 0’clock). The overall design concept was to recreate the aesthetic of wooden decks of luxury sailboats.

View the OMEGA Aqua Terra Collection at Bob’s Watches

Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

The Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial 41mm was made as a special edition for ‘Spectre’ This was actually Daniel Craig’s fourth outing as 007 and the film pretty edgy. It is also the first time in Bond history that the watch worn in the film was released as a limited edition. Even though in reality I personally would class 7,007 pieces as a full production run. Dimensionally the watch is a similar size to the iconic Rolex Submariner and has a diameter of 41mm. Aesthetically the timepiece also has a retro appearance, which is a nod to the 1960’s Connery movies. Features like Liquidmetal black bi-directional bezel, black dial with contrasting orange markers and screw-down crown make this watch special.

View the Omega Seamaster Collection at Bob’s Watches

Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

In February 2020 Daniel Craig returns to our screens (maybe for the last time) as 007 in the largely anticipated movie “No Time To Die.” It also commemorates the 25th Anniversary of Omega’s successful partnership with the James Bond franchise. Recently Omega unveiled a special 007 edition of the Seamaster Diver 300M, which will be available to coincide with the release of the film. This watch measures 42mm and has a lightweight case constructed from Grade 2 titanium. It also has a delightful brown retro dial and bezel, which should resonate with fans of the brand.

Watches Worn By Hollywood Criminals | Scarface, Godfather, Ocean’s 11

TickTock — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 09:54:15 +0000

Hollywood Criminals & Their Watches

While it can be interesting to read about real-life criminals and their ill-gotten watch collections, it’s hard to ignore the reality of the lives they’ve ruined, either financially or mortally. Perhaps that is why movies about fictional gangsters and criminals are so popular. We get to indulge our perverse fascination with evil-doers without having to celebrate or support actual criminal activity.
Essentially from its origins, Hollywood has found cinematic success by showcasing (if not flat out glorifying) criminals. In 1932, the original Scarface, loosely based on Al Capone’s life, was released, showing the rise and fall of an American gangster. It was remade in 1983 with Al Pacino, and there is currently the talk of another remake.

Scarface Canvas (Image: Amazon)

As beloved as Scarface (both versions) has been, no criminal-featuring work of art is more revered than the one-two punch of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II (the third film in the trilogy receives less love). Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning films raised the gangster genre to the level of high art, and in so doing, cemented the mythology of the cinematic crime bass as an American archetype equal to the cowboy or sports hero.
What these films all have in common is that they showcase these gangsters as men (almost exclusively) of wealth and idiosyncratic tastes.

The Godfather

If Mafia don, Vito Corleone (Brando), and his son, Michael (Pacino), are never seen conspicuously wearing timepieces, that speaks to the more subdued style of the film. If I had to guess, though, I’d suspect that the men of the Corleone crime family were partial to Rolex watches, like any good gangster is.

Scene From The Godfather (Image: Amazon)

While watches aren’t heavily featured in either The Godfather or The Godfather Part II, the two iconic actors of the films –Marlon Brando and Al Pacino – are each known for having extensive watch collections. Fittingly, both have expressed their love for Rolex watches and have been seen in both their films and personal lives wearing the Swiss watchmaker. I guess that just goes to show that they were perfectly cast for their roles.

Scarface

Al Pacino’s other most iconic gangster role was as Tony Montana in 1983’s Scarface, a far less subtle and more violent gangster film. Set in cocaine-fueled Miami in the 80s (a period in which Escobar’s real-life influence was heavily apparent), Scarface is a movie of excess in every possible way.
Pacino’s Montana, like so many film gangsters, ends up being a tragic anti-hero, but before that, he lives a life of flash and spectacle. For one, Montana can be seen sporting a solid gold Omega La Magique.
Omega, another Swiss watchmaker, has a number of feathers in its cap, including being the first watchmaker to have one of their watches on the moon.
For that reason, appearing in Scarface maybe doesn’t register as a high achievement.
Still, appearing in one of the most popular gangster films in recent memory, especially one that enjoys considerable cache in the hip hop community, should have helped establish Omega as a brand for gangsters and gangstas. On the contrary, though, Omega seems to be a bit of a non-entity in rap music (a key indicator of cultural saturation).

Cartier Tank Louis 18kt Yellow Gold Watch (Image: Amazon)

Interestingly, French jeweler and watchmaker Cartier does appear in a fair share of rap songs, and a Cartier Tank Louis Cartier watch can be seen on the wrist of Alejandro Sosa (played by Paul Shena) in Scarface. Maybe the fact that Sosa is an even worse criminal than Tony Montana gives his watch choice greater heft.

Ocean’s Eleven

Hamilton Jazzmaster (Image: Amazon)

For a different kind of criminal – one a little less deadly and a lot more charming – look at George Clooney’s Danny Ocean in the Ocean’s 11 film series.
There are a number of watches that make cameos in the first film, but Danny in specific is seen wearing two watches: a Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic and an unspecified Luminox that looks like it could be a 2001 predecessor to the Luminox Black OPS 0880.

LUMINOX BLACK OPS 8880 (Image: Amazon)

These are interesting choices. Hamilton is another respected Swiss watchmaker, placing Danny Ocean firmly in the timekeeping company of other famous criminals. The brand has had their watches featured in so many movies that actually in 2006, the company introduced the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards, which recognized the “heroes behind the scenes in the major movies.”
If you’re want to find out more about the best Hamilton watches, click here to see our top picks for both men and women.
Luminox, on the other hand, is a US company known for its strong, functional watches designed for covert military missions. Such a watch would be especially useful for a con artist looking to pull off a major heist. It looks like Danny’s both fashionable and practical as a criminal.
See other iconic watches worn in Hollywood movies.
If you are a fan of James Bond click here to see all the watches used in the 007 films.

Watches Worn by Famous Criminals (Al Capone, Escobar, Bernie Madoff)

TickTock — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:43:45 +0000

Famous criminals and their watch collections (Al Capone mug shot) Image: Wikimedia

The criminal lifestyle is glamorous. Or, at least, so it appears on TV and in movies. When we read about real-life criminals like Al Capone or fictitious ones like Vito “The Godfather” Corleone, they’re inevitably portrayed more like movie stars than dangers to society. We love glitz, and nothing shimmers brighter than ill-gotten goods.
When you’ve reached a high enough level of success, no matter how you got there, the spoils of your victory tend to be impressive. This is why popular media usually portrays famous criminals as fashionable, decked out in the finest clothes, hats, and watches. Expensive timepieces, in particular, have a long history in the mythos of criminality.
Today, we’re taking a look at the stunning watches that have adorned some of history’s most notorious criminals – both real and imagined.

Gangster Watches: Crime pays

Despite everything our society, culture, and moral leaders teach us about living honorably by the law, we regularly venerate criminals. Outlaws, lawbreakers, rebels; we can’t get enough of them. Every generation and all cultures have their criminal heroes, the men and women who broke the law of the land and became legends for it.
Partly, this is because we like the idea of rebelling against unjust laws (Al Capone ascended to power during the Prohibition era). More importantly, though, the life of the successful criminal appeals to our desire to be rich, and to do it outside the drudgery of modern life. The image of the criminal mastermind sitting atop his empire is pretty intoxicating.
In reality, for most low-level criminals, crime doesn’t pay. The prisons are full of people who imagined they’d one day be the Kingpin. Even most crime bosses (again, in both the real and imagined world) wind up losing everything. And yet, the myth of the criminal genius still shines bright, like the glint of a Rolex’s pristine crystal face.

Al Capone’s Pocket Watch & Rolex Prince

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmg6ZF1ljay/
Though America’s outlaw history stretches back to the nation’s origins and includes dozens of Wild West varmints, the American criminal that best encapsulates our modern idea of the Crime Boss is Al Capone. Making his money as a bootlegger and boss of the Chicago Outfit criminal organization, Capone is the quintessential gangster.
He has been portrayed or fictionalized in countless films and TV shows, and if there is one thing the portrayals usually get right, it’s his sense of fashion. Capone was a dapper man who enjoyed his share of spoils. One of the ways in which he showed off his wealth was through his timepieces.
Capone owned multiple timepieces, as any watch aficionado would, but his two most famous watches were a diamond-studded pocket watch and a gold Rolex Prince. The pocket watch, a triangular timepiece with 72 diamonds set into the bezel, sold at auction in 2017 for $84,375. More diamonds surround the famous gangster’s engraved initials, “AC”, which appeared on the case. At the time of the auction, the watch still included the white gold chain and gold-toned hands.

Al Capone Mug Shot (Image: wikimedia.org)

The pocket watch was made by the Illinois Watch Company, a company that doesn’t quite enjoy the reputation of a Swiss watchmaker, Rolex. Rolex has spent the last century building its reputation as makers of both exquisitely designed watches and rigorously accurate mechanical timepieces. At the same time that Al Capone was building his empire, Rolex was establishing its own renown in the watchmaking world.
It’s thus fitting that Capone would have owned a Rolex wristwatch, even at a time when wristwatches were just starting to come into fashion for men. Capone’s Rolex Prince had a rectangular, gold case with a second-hand subdial.
The Prince watch line was one of Rolex’s first big lines, but it’s long fallen out of favor. As recently as 2015, Rolex released a set of Prince watches under their Cellini line, but they no longer seem to be available through the company (Authentic preowned Cellini watches can be found through online from sites including Bobswatches or see Prince models on eBay.

Rolex Cellini Prince (Image: Bobswatches)

Al Capone’s eventual downfall, a result of being convicted of tax evasion, did little to undermine the lore around him and the life (and prestige) of the gangster. If Capone’s rise to power has come to represent a uniquely American myth, he is hardly the only criminal around the world to parlay his obsession for power into a glamorous lifestyle.

Pablo Escobar’s Watches: Diamond-encrusted Rolex

Pablo Escobar (Wikimedia)

Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar rose to power in the 1970s and became the most famous criminal in the world in the 1980s. He was arguably as famous as Capone and almost certainly more dangerous, creating a narcotics empire that was responsible for much of the world’s cocaine supply. He has been called the “wealthiest criminal in history,” with one of his nicknames being “El Padrino,” or, “The Godfather.”
Like Capone, Escobar has been the focus of countless books, documentaries, and media portrayals (most recently, the Netflix series Narcos). His crimes and rise to power are certainly cinematic, but our collective fascination with the man is probably equally due to his opulent lifestyle. Even when he spent time behind bars, Escobar lived like a king.

Rolex Date Date (Image: Bobswatches)

Nothing better encapsulates Escobar’s lavish tastes like his Rolex Day-Date watch, an almost comically blinged-out solid gold timepiece covered in hundreds of diamonds.
Unlike Capone’s Prince, the Rolex Day-Date is still in production and represents some of the famous Swiss watchmaker’s most prestigious timepieces.
Escobar’s watch was sold at a Colombian auction in 2013 along with the former goods of numerous drug lords that had been seized by the government. That Escobar’s Rolex only sold for $8,500 when it was valued at nearly nine times that much probably speaks to the terror Escobar continues to instill in Colombia, even though he died in 1993. As the anonymous buyer of the watch explained, “You never know who might track you down and ask for their things back.”

Bernie Madoff’s 46 watches

When we think of major criminals, we generally think of the Capones and Escobars of history, but some of the biggest crimes in the world are committed by the suit-and-tie crowd. Look no further than Bernard “Bernie” Madoff, a former stockbroker and billionaire who is now famous for operating the largest Ponzi Scheme in history.
The failed scheme that eventually brought Madoff down lasted for years and involved $17 billion in fraud (initially believed to be as much as $65 billion). The schadenfreude in witnessing a bunch of Wall Street millionaires be taken in by a giant scam was undercut by the fact that Madoff’s downfall ended up hurting an untold number of “regular” people. His crimes weren’t as flashy or cinematic as Capone or Escobar, but there’s no question he was just as much a criminal.
Following his arrest in 2008 and a sentence of 150 years in prison, many of Madoff’s possessions were auctioned off in New York City. Along with clothing, assorted household items, and other odds and ends, the bulk of the auction was the disgraced broker’s 46 watches. It turns out, like Al Capone and Pablo Escobar, Bernie Madoff had an infinity for high-end watches.

Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Reverso Duo

(See on eBay)

With so many watches, we couldn’t possibly discuss them all, but there are a few highlights. In addition to an assortment of Rolexes, including a rectangular piece from the 1930s that resembles Capone’s Prince, Madoff’s collection included an assortment of Switzerland’s finest: an 18-carat gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo, silver and gold IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser chronograph, and a lady’s Frank Muller Casablanca.

Frank Mueller Casablanca

See on eBay

All of those watches retail in the thousands, though there were other watches in the collection that were less extravagant. His collection included a watch from French watchmaker Poiray that sold for around $700, and a whole slew of Swatch watches that could be picked up for less than $100. Those were definitely the exception, though, as most of the collection featured some of Swiss watchmaking’s most prestigious and admired brands.

IWC Portugieser Chronograph

See on eBay

I don’t know what it is about a life of crime that makes a Swiss watch look so appealing, but there’s clearly a link.
Click here to see the watches worn on wall street, surprisingly Maddof is not the only one who wore Swatch!
Crime and Time
No matter what side of the law you land on, watches have long been a symbol of success and power. The movers and shakers in all industries appreciate the fine craftsmanship that goes into a Swiss watch. Perhaps, then, it should come as no surprise that Rolex is the go-to timepiece of crime bosses.
Then again, maybe that suggests that the line between a criminal enterprise and a “legitimate” business is very fine. Nah.
Click here to see watches worn by Hollywood Criminals, including watches worn in Scarface, The Godfather and Oceans Eleven

The Many Watches of James Bond | 50+ Years of Iconic 007 Timepieces

TickTock — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 17:33:29 +0000

Over nearly six decades, the 007 movies have progressed from 1960s swagger to 2010s angst. In between, the adventures of superspy James Bond have been at times dramatic, at other times funny (intentionally on occasion). The shifting looks and tones of the film series have generally reflected the fashions and sensibilities of the eras in which they’ve been produced.
As times and styles have changed, though, some aspects of the classic character have remained the same. In addition to beautiful women, flashy cars, and martinis “shaken, not stirred”, James Bond has always been known for his chic wristwatches. Sometimes the watch is a nifty gadget, and at other times it’s just a simple but elegant timepiece.
Almost as much a style icon as a sex symbol, the many faces of Bond have helped make certain watches icons in themselves and many are now some of the most well-known watches to appear in Hollywood movies.

Bond 50: 5 Decades of 007 (Image Amazon.com)

Bond, James Bond

Anyone who has ever enjoyed a classic spy film has their favorite James Bond. There’s the classic Sean Connery “007,” smooth talking and a bit of rogue. Roger Moore was more overtly humorous and debonair, while Daniel Craig’s ripped but brooding Bond won many new fans to the franchise. There’s probably somebody who really enjoyed George Lazenby too.
Since the first Connery starring film, Dr. No, was released in 1962, the longest period without a Bond film in movie theaters has been six years. The franchise has had its ups and downs, but 007 always comes out on top. The next (and supposedly last) Craig Bond film is coming in 2020. After that, who knows where the series goes from there?
With the different versions of Bond, the spy’s affinity for refined timepieces has been one of the most consistent character traits (even more than his famous martini). This connection is so defined that there is an entire website dedicated to chronicling Bond’s chronological habits: jamesbondwatches.com.
That site has done an admirable job of spotting and identifying each and every watch that has graced Bond’s wrists for the past 50+ years. Instead of rehashing what they’ve done, we’re going to focus on some of the most iconic and memorable timepieces from the James Bond movies.

Sean Connery

The watches of Sean Connery’s Bond
Perhaps it’s because he was first, or maybe he just had the perfect amount of charisma, but Sean Connery will forever be James Bond. Even as other actors have done an okay-to-decent job of making the character their own (confession: I think Craig is excellent in the role), the platonic ideal of 007 will always be the smirking Scotsman with a glint in his eye.
The enduring style and personality traits can’t all be placed at Connery’s feet (Ian Fleming originally created the character, after all), but one wonders if James Bond would have remained such a cultural phenomenon if not for the actor’s performance. I guess we’ll never know, but what we do know is that right out of the gate, Bond was a watch aficionado.
In this day of conspicuous and revolving product placement, it’s a bit strange to realize that Connery’s Bond wore the same two watches across his five initial appearances in the role. From Dr. No through 1967’s You Only Live Twice, Bond is consistently seen wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 6538 and a Gruen Precision Subsidiary-Seconds 510.

You Only Live Twice (Image: Amazon.com)

While Rolex is a household name, Gruen is certainly less known, and yet, it’s actually the first watch James Bond is ever seen wearing on camera. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, the Gruen Watch Company was a successful American company, started by German watchmaker Dietrich Grün. In 1958, just a few years before the first Bond film, the firm was sold off and the Gruen Watch Company ceased to exist (in the 2000s, a new company bought the firm and started producing watches under the Gruen name again).
The Gruen Precision 510 that can be seen on Bond’s wrist in the famous opening casino scene is, unfortunately, no longer in production. That’s a shame because it was a beautiful watch. With Swiss movement, the classic gold and white mechanical watch perfectly encapsulated the modest but sophisticated style of Connery’s Bond.
Later in Dr. No, Bond switches to one of the most iconic movie watches of all time, the Rolex Submariner Oyster.

Dr. No (Image: Amazon.com)

This particular model, the 6538, like the Gruen, is a vintage watch no longer in production, but the Oyster Perpetual Submariner line of watches is still one of Rolex’s most appreciated (and expensive) lines.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date

Both the Gruen and the Rolex were exquisitely designed, Swiss-made works of art. Even without the James Bond seal of approval, these watches would have been style icons for decades. That 007 wore them at baccarat tables, on barstools, and in bed only helped cement both as timepieces for the well-heeled and the well-dressed.

George Lazenby

George Lazenby’s Bond wore Rolex
Few people remember George Lazenby’s turn as James Bond, and even fewer would consider his one outing as the character, 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, very good. Like anything, there are its defenders, right or wrong.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Image: Amazon.com)

To be fair to Lazenby, he took over the role from Connery who was essentially synonymous with the role by that point. These days, we’re used to our assorted Bonds, Supermen, and Spider-Men being played by multiple actors, but Lazenby was stepping into uncharted territory at that point.
Whatever can be said of Lazenby’s performance in comparison to his predecessor, the one aspect where he didn’t stray too far from Connery was in the watch department. In the film, the actor can be seen wearing two different wristwatches, both of them made by Rolex: the Oyster Perpetual Submariner 5513 and a Pre-Daytona Chronograph 6238.
Rolex’s Submariner line of watches came into being in the 1950s when the company sought to create a diver’s “sports” watch that could pass as a dress watch. It was almost as if they created a line of watches specifically for James Bond. See Rolex Submariner on Bob’s Watches.
The 5513 and Connery’s 6538 are related by lineage and are superficially quite similar, but to an aficionado, there are differences. For one, the 5513 was never CSOC certified, which means it didn’t officially qualify as having Swiss timekeeping precision and accuracy. Also, while the 6538 was no longer in production after the 1960s, the 5513 was still being made into the 1980s.
Rolex’s Daytona line of watches is considered the high watermark for sports chronographs, but their pre-Dayona chronographs were still exceptional timepieces. The silver Chronograph 6238 that is worn by Lazenby was manufactured in 1968, and it was the only Rolex chronograph ever worn by James Bond. Lazenby held on to the watch until his death in 2003, when it was auctioned off for nearly $40,000.

Roger Moore

Roger Moore’s Bond Preferred Seiko
Tied with Connery for most number of appearances as Bond, Roger Moore is not quite as revered as the original actor. Moore’s take on the famous character was, arguably, more campy, especially as he aged past the point where he looked like a suave international spy. For many, though, his run through the 70s and early 80s produced just as many iconic and beloved films.

Live and Let Die (Image: Amazon.com)

Perhaps as a means of setting himself apart from Connery, in his first outing as James Bond in 1973’s Live and Let Die, Moore chose a Hamilton. Specifically, he wore a stainless-steel Pulsar P2 digital LED watch. In 1973, digital watches weren’t everywhere like they would be a decade later, so this would have been considered a highly sophisticated, luxury accessory. They are tough to find but you if you search for them on eBay you can still occassionally find one.
The Pulsar represented the first time Bond’s wristwatch choice valued tech over style. Moore can be seen, later in the film, wearing a Submariner 5513 like Lazenby, although this one is outfitted with special gadgets. The era of Bond playing with hi-tech doohickeys had officially begun.
Moore wore the Rolex for one more film before switching over to Seiko for good, starting with 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me. For five straight films, James Bond could be seen sporting a variety of Seiko wristwatches and chronographs, including three different watches in Moore’s final outing, 1985’s A View to a Kill.

A View To A Kill (Image: Amazon.com)

A Japanese electronics company, Seiko’s rise to prominence in the watch industry coincided with the “Quartz Crisis” that crippled Switzerland’s watchmaking industry throughout the 1970s. Fittingly, by the time Moore was finishing his run as Bond, Swiss watchmakers were seeing a resurgence.
Of the three final watches that Moore wore, the Seiko 7A28-7020 is probably the most interesting. The 7A28 line of watches is notable for introducing “the first analogue display quartz chronograph movement.” The line is no longer in production, but they are highly sought after by collectors.
The end of the Moore era of Bond films also meant the end of the Seiko era.

Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton’s Bond tried TAG Heuer
Following the Scottish Connery and the British Moore, Timothy Dalton was the first (and only) Welsh man to play James Bond. Dalton took over in 1987’s The Living Daylights. His run only lasted one more film, though a third movie was in the works when legal issues held up its production. Dalton eventually left the role in 1994.

The Living Daylights (Image: Amazon.com)

For The Living Daylights, Dalton wore two TAG Heuer watches: a Professional Night‑Dive 980.031 and a Professional 200 Meters 980.013. Both watches were diving watches, appropriate for the often water-adjacent adventures of Bond. While neither watch is still in production, the Professional line still exists and includes at least one water-friendly watch in the Tag Aquaracer.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer (Image: Amazon.com)

In Dalton’s second and final appearance as Bond, the super spy returned to his trusty Rolex Submariner, this time a 16610. The 16610 was still in production as recently as 2010, but like Dalton and the other actors who have played the character, newer, fresher faces have come to take its place.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan initiates the age of Omega
Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond in 1995’s Goldeneye, the first of four appearances. Brosnan returned some of Connery’s charm to the role, but with an understanding (if not embrace) of 90s sexual politics. Not all of Brosnan’s movies hold up, but for gamers, Nintendo’s Goldeneye video game adaption remains a highlight of the era.

Nintendo 64 GoldenEye 007 (Image: Amazon.com)

Speaking of eras, Brosnan ushered in the age of Omega watches in the James Bond universe. Every Bond movie since Goldeneye has featured the character wearing one of the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s timepieces. To be precise, Bond is repeatedly seen wearing one of the brand’s Seamaster line (See the full line of Seamaster watches on Amazon).
The first of the Seamasters to appear is the 2541.80 model (no longer in production). The silver and blue, stainless-steel watch was water resistant up to 300 meters and included luminous hands and a date window. Also, in the movie, it has a laser, but that isn’t standard issue.
Brosnan would go on to wear the Seamaster 2531.80 in all three of his other outings as Bond. The reason for the change isn’t clear, especially since the watches are quite similar in appearance. In fact, the main difference is that the 2531.80 was automatic instead of quartz like the 2541.80. The bigger difference is the gadgetry that is added to the watch in each successive film.

Omega Seamaster 2531.80 (Image: Amazon.com)

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig’s brooding Bond still loves Omega

Daniel Craig’s run as Bond has been at times controversial, but generally successful (at least at the box office). He took over with 2006’s Casino Royale, which represented a general reset for the series, both in terms of Bond’s backstory and the series’ tone. Taking stylistic cues from the Bourne series of films, Craig’s Bond films were darker and more serious.

Casino Royale (Image: Amazon.com)

And yet, the watch remains the same. Or, at least, the brand did. Bond’s ties to Omega have been solidified on screen and in marketing.
Craig wore a Planet Ocean variety of the Seamaster line in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. In the former, it was a 2900 model, while in the latter, a 2201 model can briefly be seen. If you’re seriously considering any of these Omega models, it’s worth checking out pre-owned, certified ones here.

Omega 2201.50 (Image: Amazon.com)

Omega’s appearance in the Craig Bond films is interesting for two reasons. For one, Craig’s Bond directly names the brand in Casino Royale, a blatant moment of product placement. Secondly, unlike Brosnan, Craig never wears the same Omega twice across films. In 2012’s Skyfall, he wears a Seamaster Aqua Terra 231, whereas, in 2015’s SPECTRE, he goes back to a straight Seamaster 300 model (a special limited edition was released to coincide with the movie).

Skyfall (Image: Amazon.com)

The next Craig-starring Bond film is set to come out in 2020, and while details about it remain scarce, it will almost certainly feature at least one Omega watch.
Once Craig officially hangs up his Bond tuxedo for the last time, almost anything could happen with the franchise. Talks of dramatic casting changes have been floated for a while, and as the political and social dynamics of the twenty-first century continue to evolve, it’s likely James Bond will have to as well.
Whatever changes lie ahead for 007, though, some traits will almost certainly remain constant: Bond will remain handsome; Bond will drive fast cars, and Bond will wear a reliable and stylish watch to keep him on schedule.
If you are still interested in more, here is a cool mashup of scenes showing the bond watches, starting with Dr. No through 2015 (Connery to Craig).
It’s well done (for those of you paying attention, you’ll noticed they skipped over a few watches (like the Seiko 7549-7009 Professional Divers’ watch in For Your Eyes Only in the scene using the mini-sub) and a couple others but its a cool edit that shows almost all the watches used in bond movies.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1141hRSjas]
Featured image source here.