The most iconic watches in film
From James Bond’s Rolex and Omega to Steve McQueen’s TAG Heuer – here are the watches that achieved star status on the big screen.
Cinema has always had a close connection to watches. Many models have become iconic not only because of their design, but because they were worn by some of the greatest actors in unforgettable roles.
James Bond and his watches
No film character is more closely associated with watches than James Bond. In the early films, Sean Connery wore a Rolex Submariner ref. 6538, now known as the “James Bond Submariner.” Roger Moore wore a Rolex GMT-Master in the 1970s and later a Seiko digital classic, reflecting the technology of that era.
Since 1995, Bond has had an official partner in Omega Seamaster. Pierce Brosnan introduced the Seamaster 300M in GoldenEye, and Daniel Craig continued the tradition with several Omega models – including the Seamaster Planet Ocean and Seamaster 300. Today, the Bond watch is as much a part of his image as the tuxedo and the Aston Martin.
Other iconic film watches
James Bond is not alone in putting watches on the map. Steve McQueen wore a TAG Heuer Monaco in Le Mans (1971), making it one of the most sought-after square watches ever.
In Apocalypse Now (1979), Martin Sheen wore a Seiko 6105 diver, a robust tool watch later nicknamed “Captain Willard” among collectors. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the Seiko H558 famous in Predator (1987), while Tom Cruise wore a Porsche Design Chronograph in Top Gun (1986).
When films turn watches into icons
On screen, watches are more than props – they are part of a character’s identity. For collectors, a film watch can achieve near-mythical status, and demand often rises sharply once a model is seen in cinema.
Owning a “film watch” is not just about style – it’s about wearing a piece of movie history on your wrist.
