James Bond's Rolex Submariner Is Going Up for Auction, Along With 4 More Watches Hollywood Loves
Including a "Paul Newman" Daytona—and one approved by the King of Cool himself
You know that scene in Inception when Ellen Page goes all bendy-brained and folds the city in half like a slice of NYC pizza? I'm beginning to seriously suspect that's what happened in real life, leaving Switzerland and Southern California sandwiched on top of one another with somehow no one noticing. I mean, come on! How else could you possibly explain the way Hollywood is supercharging the vintage watch market right now, adding an extra layer of allure to timepieces through their connection to big-name actors or the characters they play? (There are other ways to explain it. I know that. I don't want to hear about it. Just let me believe in Pizza World, goddammit.)
The latest entry in this booming market is an especially exciting—and timely—one, coming courtesy of Bob's Watches and an upcoming auction featuring five watches, each with a lineage linked to Tinseltown. The star of the show is the Rolex Submariner ref. 6538, aka the "Big Crown" Submariner, but with another alias as well: the "James Bond" Submariner. See, this is the same reference that Sean Connery wore making his debut as Her Majesty's favourite blunt instrument, and one that helped cement the style as a legend of modern watchmaking. Not that it's the only watch that could secure top billing. There's also a "Paul Newman" Daytona, another Submariner that just so happened to be Steve McQueen's preferred reference, the same version of the GMT Master Pussy Galore wore in Goldfinger, and a much more recent Omega Seamaster, another Bond special.
"We have been wanting to put together a Hollywood-themed auction for a while," says Paul Altieri, CEO and founder of Bob's Watches. "With the recent unfortunate passing of style icon Sean Connery, aka 007, we felt obligated to pay homage in the best way we know how, offering the iconic Rolex Submariner 6538, the same model he wore in 1962's Dr. No, the first James Bond film." All five watches go up for auction on 16 November, but Esquire has an exclusive first look for you right here.
Submariner ref. 5512 'Steve McQueen,' circa 1966
If it's good enough for the King of Cool, well... (You see where I'm going with this, right? OK. Great.)
GMT Master ref. 6542 'Pussy Galore' with Bakelite Bezel, circa 1958
Pussy Galore, a character with a ridiculous name but, as it turns out, impeccable taste in watches. (Hey, man. It's not like you name yourself. Blame the Parents Galore.)
Seamaster 300 'Spectre' Limited Edition, circa 2015
Bond's been an Omega guy since 1995, so while this doesn't have the age some of the other watches in the group do, it's still very much 007-approved. And, you know, really good looking, too.
Daytona ref. 6239 with 'Paul Newman' Dial, circa 1968
Quite possibly the most famous vintage watch model in the world after the record-setting auction of the actual Paul Newman's "Paul Newman" Daytona in 2017.
Submariner ref. 6538 'James Bond' Big-Crown, circa 1957
It'll pair exceptionally well with a white dinner jacket. Who could've imagined?
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