8 Most Iconic Wristwatches Popped Up in Movies

There’s that mystic thing about wristwatches in films; they leave an impact, sometimes not through the mere appearance, but through some form of story attached to it.

From the slick spy watch to the rugged outdoor gear, the appropriate timepiece can bring swagger and sophistication to the movie characters.

Let’s zoom in on some of the most famous wristwatches in movies, what they did in their roles, and their effect on pop culture and the horological community.

1. The Rolex Submariner in James Bond Films

When we think of James Bond, the first thing to come to mind is sophistication and ingenuity, along with his Rolex Submariner. All swathed on Connery’s wrist in Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), and Thunderball (1965).

It’s the Rolex Submariner Reference no. 6538, better known as the “Big Crown” because of that oversized 8mm Brevet crown.

This isn’t just any crown for show; it is to help the watch become more readily used underwater. It also contributes to the impressive 200-meter (660ft) water resistance it possesses, a significant improvement over its predecessors, which had a rating of only 100 meters.

It came with a gilt dial, radium lume, and anodised aluminium bezel with its red triangle. It had a solid Calibre 1030 automatic movement. Moreover, a domed acrylic crystal made the 6538 both an absolute marvel, technically and design-wise.

Legend has it that the Submariner in Dr. No was actually borrowed from producer Cubby Broccoli, as there was no money to get it. Still, it has cemented a place in cinematic and horological history.

Tough, utilitarian, yet with a streak of refinement and polish, the Submariner expressed Bond’s own dual nature from being a rough and tough super-spy to the embodiment of this suave yet lethal character grail both for watch lovers and fans of Bond alike.

2. The Hamilton Khaki Field in Interstellar (2014)

This watch is an excellent mix of tough use and never-ending style. The watch is just right for the movie’s ideas of staying alive, being strong, and time passing.

It is a simple field watch known for its military style. It has a stainless-steel case, a black dial with white numerals, and luminous hands. An H-10 automatic movement, underlining strength and accuracy, runs the Khaki Field.

What sets this watch apart is how it was used in the film. It wasn’t just a prop; it became a narrative element.

The ticking of the watch symbolized time in a story where time was the central theme. In the climax, the watch becomes a cross-dimensional communication device. Its second hand is used to send Morse code.

Hamilton also worked with the directors to make a special version of the Khaki Field just for the film. This version had a different look with a slightly larger case and an old-style strap, which made it stand out, and fans noticed right away.

After the movie came out, Hamilton used its new popularity to sell special models, letting fans buy a part of movie history. The Hamilton Khaki Field watch means more than time; it is a link of strength and soul, which matters much more than the display.

3. TAG Heuer Monaco on Le Mans (1971)

Steve McQueen shares one of the most legendary on-screen romances between him, his vehicle, and the TAG Heuer Monaco right at the center. Monaco is a blue dial watch and has a unique angle to its chronograph style with striking white and red accents. The wristwatch is the ideal match for the kind of personality that McQueen had, being cool and a bit of a rebel.

Besides aesthetics, the Monaco is truly groundbreaking from a technical perspective. It is among the very first automatic chronographs. Monoco houses the revolutionary Caliber 11 movement, taking timekeeping to even greater heights.

The timepiece comes with a 39mm waterproof case with the pushers on the right side. The pushers are innovatively placed off from the usually left side, where the crown underlines its automatic nature.

It was a racing design, so it came with a tachymeter scale, and  100 meters of water resistance — practicality with flair. More than a prop, the watch became the extension of McQueen’s persona and style, with speed in equal measures.

The modern TAG Heuer Monacos continue this tradition with their timepieces. The brand has been deeply associated with racing. The watch was made for racing through its depiction in Le Mans of McQueen.

This unforgettable quartet has solidified Monaco’s place as a timeless icon of style and horology.

4. The Lancet in Pulp Fiction (1994)

The gold vintage Lancet watch in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ does bear much more than a strange and touching tale; it has, too, a rather charming character of its own.

The Lancet is unique because of its classical mid-20th-century styling. It features a simple round gold case, a white dial with pretty black numerals, and slim gold-tone hands.

It has a very unpretentious look that masks great dramatic importance. It becomes that very object around which a most unforgettable saga is to be created. Just a simple manual wind movement, like those in most watches of its time, it has to set forth the tale of a very personal, very emotional race against time.

This family treasure has incredible resilience and history. It stole the spotlight in Christopher Walken’s intense monologue that reveals its amazing wartime story. By the time Bruce Willis’s character, Butch Coolidge, gets his hands on it, the watch has long outlived being just a piece of jewelry.

It turns into a talisman, something that stands for much more than just heritage. But gives Butch a reason to go up against all odds and reclaim his history.

The Lancet is simple but strong in design, speaking to its storytelling soul. It proves that even what appears to be a simple, everyday watch can pulse with a tale. Its presentation in Pulp Fiction lifts it beyond being a mere everyday object to the status of a cultural artefact.

5. Seiko 6105 in Apocalypse Now (1979)

The very famous Seiko 6105 from ‘Apocalypse Now’ is much more than a timepiece. It was a necessity for Captain Willard during the horrible Vietnam War.

This cherished divers’ watch wasn’t chosen for a fashion purpose alone. Its rugged look and true functions helped it merge very well into the brutal aesthetic of the movie.

The Seiko 6105 comes in a 44mm cushion-shaped stainless steel case. The crown protects the watch from the punishment meted out in the harsh conditions.

This watch was developed to be highly durable.

Its bulky shape, with its bright luminous markers on the black dial and rotating bezel, makes it perfect for visibility.

This sports watch is water-resistant to a depth of 150 meters. It features the reliable automatic movement of Seiko, operating at 21,600 bph and containing 17 jewels.

The wide, ergonomically designed rubber strap further enhances its practicality. It is for soldiers to help make it comfortable to wear during long missions.

Far beyond that, the timepiece’s aesthetics convey a sense of sheer ruggedness. The continual strife against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. Thus, it became a symbol extension of Willard’s character and grittiness of his journey.

6. The Rolex Daytona in The Italian Job (1969)

Only in the rare confidence and flair of Michael Caine could the Rolex Daytona on his wrist find its true human parallel. This was a watch that was never meant for mere timekeeping. It came to define precision and conviction with a dash of its driver-inspired design.

A very early 6239 model came in stainless steel, with a relatively small 37 millimeters diameter, and featured black sub-dials. The design achieves high contrast and legibility with the addition of practical baton markers.

Powered by the Valjoux 72 manual-wind movement known for both accuracy and durability, two of the fundamental tenets of craftsmanship by which Rolex has held fast.

Its tachymetric bezel measures average speed over a set distance. It highlighted the watch’s racing heritage, making it the perfect companion for the high-octane, fast-paced heist at the heart of the movie.

The robust Oyster bracelet adds to its sporty charm. Choosing the Daytona would only amplify Caine’s already audacious persona on-screen. It would simply blend with the sleek sports cars and daring schemes that defined the film.

Today, this stopwatch is not only remembered for its great design and use, but also for its part in one of film’s most stylish adventures. Hence, it is one of the most sought-after and honoured watches in the history of watchmaking.

7. Omega Watches James Bond Films

Since 1995’s GoldenEye, James Bond has exclusively worn Omega watches.

• GoldenEye (1995):
  • Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Quartz (Ref. 2541.80.00)
• Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002):
  • Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Automatic Chronometer (Ref. 2531.80.00)
• Casino Royale (2006):
  • Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 2900.50.91)
  • Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial (Ref. 2220.80.00)
• Quantum of Solace (2008): Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 2201.50.00)
• Skyfall (2012):
  • Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (Ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001)
  • Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M (Ref. 231.10.39.21.03.001)
• Spectre (2015):
  • Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial (Ref. 233.32.41.21.01.001)
  • Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M (Ref. 231.10.42.21.03.003)
• No Time To Die (2021): Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition (Ref. 210.90.42.20.01.001)

The Rolex Submariner had been Bond’s choice in earlier films, but as Pierce Brosnan took over the role in GoldenEye (1995), the Omega Seamaster was the one that found its way onto his wrist.

The design of Seamaster and its technology were appropriate reiterations of the contemporary world’s most famous secret agent. While not quite Seamaster-wearing James Bond, Daniel Craig did his bit to evolve the legend through each of his high-stakes adventures. Omega’s collaboration with the Bond franchise has resulted in specifically movie-tied releases that have sent collectors into a tizzy around the world.

8. Omega Constellation Pie Pan in The Godfather II (1974)

Al Pacino donned the role with a subtlety, a very calculated power, and established within the persona a golden yellow Omega Constellation Pie Pan on his wrist. An elegant timepiece, a slender 35mm gold case with a fluted bezel, this watch carries understated sophistication and authority.

The champagne dial with gold markers and sleek hands presents all of Michael’s fastidious and refined trimmings, while the integral gold bracelet would complete the show of opulence that a man making his way to the very acme of wealth and power would display.

With Omega’s accurate automatic chronometer movement powering it, it features dauphine palms, a second hand, dog-leg lugs, and a universal motion. However, there are date versus no-date dial patterns, as well as domed and classic pie-pan varieties of stick, baton, arrow and trapez hour markers.

In the film’s plot, the Omega Constellation rather subtly reinforced Michael’s change into a cold man, the head of the household who stood on taut strings of respect and control, but also with a veneer of elegance.

The color of the watch was golden, much like the gilded cage of corruption and isolation he had woven around himself, thus creating a very strong visual conflict. This timepiece was carefully chosen to match both the era and the character of Michael, for it meant much more than an accessory; it was a window into his cold, calculating mind and the heavy burden of the choices he made.

The Omega Constellation set greatly improved its own legacy, weaving the prestige of the watch with one of the greatest films of all time.

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