James Bond’s Favorite Rolex

In the very first Bond film, Dr. No, actor (and reputed Rolex enthusiast) Sean Connery wore a Rolex Submariner reference 6538. This was, in fact, the first watch worn by James Bond in film. That was back in 1962. Of course, that was just the beginning. From that auspicious start, a very long and enjoyable relationship between the superspy and the iconic Swiss watch has grown. You’ll find it a year later in From Russia with Love and then in Goldfinger and Thunderball in 1964 and 1965.

Ian Fleming, who created James Bond, put him in a Rolex in the novels. Fleming owned an Explorer reference 1016, actually. Sean Connery was also an avid Rolex fan, and a number of film sources claim the Submariner reference 6538 in Dr. No actually belonged to Connery.  Though throughout the years, other Submariners have been called the Bond watch. References 5508 and 6205 have been called the Bond watch.

However, I think only the 6538 can really claim the title. It was the original and appeared in many movies with Sean Connery, the original James Bond. Whether your favorite classic 007 flick is the first, Dr. No, or like most critics, the incomparable Goldfinger; you’ll see the 6538 on the debonair agent’s wrist. Best of all, in most Bond films, James uses his watch to accomplish his mission. There’s something exciting about that.

Perhaps the claim to fame of the Rolex Submariner reference 6538 is that it’s the Bond Watch but make no mistake. The watch isn’t just a toy or a movie prop. It has the water pressure resistance to 1000 feet, an important step in Rolex’s journey of dive watch development. It has striking features that make it work with a wetsuit or a business suit. It’s just a great watch.  Getting one of these watches is quite an achievement. They’re very pricey and hard to find. If you can find one and you can afford it, I think it’s fair to say it will be the jewel of your collection.

If you’re looking for a pre-owned Rolex in San Diego, I would love to help. Reach out and I’ll talk about your needs, our inventory, and what we might be able to find for you. You can also drop by the showroom in La Jolla. I’m sure you’ll be glad that you did.

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