BB58 would be the choice, to my view. Versatile, elegant but sporty at the same time. And a great -and definitely- cheaper alternative: Certina DS PH200M on a milanese strap... man, I see myself buying one of those soon, what a watch!
The passing of Sir Sean Connery brought me back to this story. I realize I am late to the party, but here are a couple of thoughts.
First I agree with Mr. Throldahl that “two is one and one is none.” A lesson I learned to my chagrin on a war zone deployment when my G-shock battery ran dry. Luckily a teammate brought two...
So, combat watch: a CWC or a Marathon MSAR. Both are sub-40mm watches which is a critical dimension because large watches can (do!) get hung up on rucksack straps, parachute harnesses and just about anything on a lanyard.
Dress watch: Bond might have a legacy watch from his father. A 1950/1960s Omega Seamaster, Rolex OP, or a Smiths Astral. Perfect under a shirt cuff but any of the three could withstand a hand to hand fight or being tossed off a yacht travelling at speed.
Anyhow, thanks to you all for providing a respite from the chaos of the pandemic and the US elections.
A little late to the comment party - But I think Bond would be a double wrist guy. An Apple or "connected" watch (perhaps something not available to the public) on the right wrist, and a somewhat attractive, auto or manual wind watch on the left. In my humble opinion, he'd double up for 2 reasons - First and foremost, Q Branch is all about tech and communication. Second, Bond lives a dangerous life where 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Combine that with Bond's confidence and swagger, he wouldn't hesitate to double up (not unlike another hero, Buzz Aldrin). Regarding the CWC - definitely a possibility, but I think Bond might not want to give himself away by wearing and obviously Mil-Spec watch (also, maybe not enough crossover for a tux). So, I think you're onto something with the Bremont (full disclosure - I own one too). Full-on British, rock solid, able to handle G forces of ejection seats, and still pretty sexy! Have I overthought this? Yeah, probably! Fun article, Jason! Really enjoying the subscription. David
Solid choice with the CWC. Since the emergence of the Pelagos, I've always pictured him casually tossing his faulty Omega off a yacht and putting on the Tudor.
Faulty Omega? 😂 I suppose if he wanted a watch that wore even larger than a Planet Ocean, he’d find the Pelagos great. He’d be far more likely to pick a BB58, in my opinion.
A CWC issued or personal purchase makes imminent sense for a former naval officer and an intelligence officer on a real world government paycheck. (Rent - including a garage for a
lovingly rebuilt DB5 - is beyond sky high in London.) Rolex, Omega, and Tudor have long moved from the "tool watch" category to "expensive status symbols" with prices approaching a used car.
My suggestions for a working civil servant are either a Seiko Turtle, "Arnie," or Alpinist, a Victorinox INOX Professional Diver, a Certina DS GMT, a G-Shock steel square, a Citizen Promaster Tough, or a Hamilton Khaki Field watch with the aspirational watch of a Sinn EZM mission timer on a Bracelet.
Jason, I would like to hear your watch choices for George Smiley and maybe also the two modern day Sherlock Holmes (US and BBC), Jack Ryan (literary and TV), and what Edmund Hillary would wear to make the first ascent of Mount Everest if it happened in 2020.
I could see this becoming a series... the watches of a number of fictional heroes. Smiley, I think would wear something sedate and high quality, but not posh or really expensive. Holmes some sort of British pocketwatch. Hillary 2020? A Garmin? :)
This watch does not exist, but if it did, it would be what he would wear. A 40mm Tudor Pelagos with no HEV and 13mm thick. In black. However, I tend to agree with the BB58 suggestion. Bond still has a taste for quality and luxury, and CWC doesn't really tick the luxury box. It is a hard question. He may not even wear one if he had the choice. The actual watch from Tenet would be an option as well.
The trick here is that Mr. Bond needs to something that goes from diving to mine a villian's super yacht to an elegant evening playing Chemin de fer in the casino in Monte Carlo. We're back to the subject of a recent GN where the enteral question of "Can one watch do it all?" I've voting for something Bremont. It's English, it's tough, and could probably stretch from the board room to the beach. Carry on, Jason. Fun stuff.
Still think Bond would be true to form and get a modern-day OP. Black or white dial. 34, 36, or 39. Or be sporting a 36mm or 39mm Explorer, not the vintage ones.
Ah Jason, you know your audience.. Moments like this when I love the internet. Of course I’ve occasionally thought about this (daft, fun) topic but never thought in my life I’d connect with anyone else that had. Given it would feel at home being worn while exploring an underwater lair or quaffing champagne at Blades, I could picture him sporting a BB58 Blue. “And your name for the waiting list sir?”...
The BB58 is a solid choice and one Fleming might have picked if he were alive, given its less "posh" reputation, but solid reputation and classic good looks.
I have played this watch-matchmaking game in my head often! I usually land on something like a G-Shock or a Seiko, but that's no fun. :)
My wife and I will also play the game of deciding what watch John Steed from The Avengers should wear. I like to think he goes back and forth from a JLC Mk11 and a Reverso.
Much as I love the CWC (and boy do I love CWC!!) it feels too obviously military for a man not in uniform. I’d go with Bremont - British, robust, works well as a knuckle-duster, and the Supermarine is a modern design classic. Failing that, the Pelagos or the BB58 Blue would be good choices too.
BB58 would be the choice, to my view. Versatile, elegant but sporty at the same time. And a great -and definitely- cheaper alternative: Certina DS PH200M on a milanese strap... man, I see myself buying one of those soon, what a watch!
The passing of Sir Sean Connery brought me back to this story. I realize I am late to the party, but here are a couple of thoughts.
First I agree with Mr. Throldahl that “two is one and one is none.” A lesson I learned to my chagrin on a war zone deployment when my G-shock battery ran dry. Luckily a teammate brought two...
So, combat watch: a CWC or a Marathon MSAR. Both are sub-40mm watches which is a critical dimension because large watches can (do!) get hung up on rucksack straps, parachute harnesses and just about anything on a lanyard.
Dress watch: Bond might have a legacy watch from his father. A 1950/1960s Omega Seamaster, Rolex OP, or a Smiths Astral. Perfect under a shirt cuff but any of the three could withstand a hand to hand fight or being tossed off a yacht travelling at speed.
Anyhow, thanks to you all for providing a respite from the chaos of the pandemic and the US elections.
v/r
JR Seeger
I like your line of thinking. And I can see Bond having an heirloom watch from his late father. An old Smiths would be just about perfect.
An heirloom watch is something many men have (I have my Dad’s Garland). It might be the only link to his family.
I am exploring these links in my book series and it is an interesting exercise.
A little late to the comment party - But I think Bond would be a double wrist guy. An Apple or "connected" watch (perhaps something not available to the public) on the right wrist, and a somewhat attractive, auto or manual wind watch on the left. In my humble opinion, he'd double up for 2 reasons - First and foremost, Q Branch is all about tech and communication. Second, Bond lives a dangerous life where 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Combine that with Bond's confidence and swagger, he wouldn't hesitate to double up (not unlike another hero, Buzz Aldrin). Regarding the CWC - definitely a possibility, but I think Bond might not want to give himself away by wearing and obviously Mil-Spec watch (also, maybe not enough crossover for a tux). So, I think you're onto something with the Bremont (full disclosure - I own one too). Full-on British, rock solid, able to handle G forces of ejection seats, and still pretty sexy! Have I overthought this? Yeah, probably! Fun article, Jason! Really enjoying the subscription. David
Bremont for the casino, Garmin for rough duty. Bond is a pragmatic sort. But I feel like double wristing is a bridge too far for Bond.
I tend to agree with you, and it seems like Bremont has come up a few times. A solid, and fitting, choice! Thanks, David!
Solid choice with the CWC. Since the emergence of the Pelagos, I've always pictured him casually tossing his faulty Omega off a yacht and putting on the Tudor.
I think you’re right on the money here. Pelagos ticks all the right boxes. Though the CWC is a fantastic option, as well...Tough choices!
Faulty Omega? 😂 I suppose if he wanted a watch that wore even larger than a Planet Ocean, he’d find the Pelagos great. He’d be far more likely to pick a BB58, in my opinion.
A CWC issued or personal purchase makes imminent sense for a former naval officer and an intelligence officer on a real world government paycheck. (Rent - including a garage for a
lovingly rebuilt DB5 - is beyond sky high in London.) Rolex, Omega, and Tudor have long moved from the "tool watch" category to "expensive status symbols" with prices approaching a used car.
My suggestions for a working civil servant are either a Seiko Turtle, "Arnie," or Alpinist, a Victorinox INOX Professional Diver, a Certina DS GMT, a G-Shock steel square, a Citizen Promaster Tough, or a Hamilton Khaki Field watch with the aspirational watch of a Sinn EZM mission timer on a Bracelet.
Jason, I would like to hear your watch choices for George Smiley and maybe also the two modern day Sherlock Holmes (US and BBC), Jack Ryan (literary and TV), and what Edmund Hillary would wear to make the first ascent of Mount Everest if it happened in 2020.
Very fun mental exercise. Thanks.
I could see this becoming a series... the watches of a number of fictional heroes. Smiley, I think would wear something sedate and high quality, but not posh or really expensive. Holmes some sort of British pocketwatch. Hillary 2020? A Garmin? :)
This watch does not exist, but if it did, it would be what he would wear. A 40mm Tudor Pelagos with no HEV and 13mm thick. In black. However, I tend to agree with the BB58 suggestion. Bond still has a taste for quality and luxury, and CWC doesn't really tick the luxury box. It is a hard question. He may not even wear one if he had the choice. The actual watch from Tenet would be an option as well.
Tudor is a good choice, and a Pelagos might be a better option than a vintage re-issue BB58. Bond is pragmatic but likes fine things.
Yup
The trick here is that Mr. Bond needs to something that goes from diving to mine a villian's super yacht to an elegant evening playing Chemin de fer in the casino in Monte Carlo. We're back to the subject of a recent GN where the enteral question of "Can one watch do it all?" I've voting for something Bremont. It's English, it's tough, and could probably stretch from the board room to the beach. Carry on, Jason. Fun stuff.
I think Bremont is the winner here, for a multitude of reasons-Brit provenance, tough, unique, refined... Thanks!
Still think Bond would be true to form and get a modern-day OP. Black or white dial. 34, 36, or 39. Or be sporting a 36mm or 39mm Explorer, not the vintage ones.
I guess I hadn't considered the obvious choice -- what Fleming envisioned him wearing in the first place!
Ah Jason, you know your audience.. Moments like this when I love the internet. Of course I’ve occasionally thought about this (daft, fun) topic but never thought in my life I’d connect with anyone else that had. Given it would feel at home being worn while exploring an underwater lair or quaffing champagne at Blades, I could picture him sporting a BB58 Blue. “And your name for the waiting list sir?”...
The BB58 is a solid choice and one Fleming might have picked if he were alive, given its less "posh" reputation, but solid reputation and classic good looks.
I have played this watch-matchmaking game in my head often! I usually land on something like a G-Shock or a Seiko, but that's no fun. :)
My wife and I will also play the game of deciding what watch John Steed from The Avengers should wear. I like to think he goes back and forth from a JLC Mk11 and a Reverso.
And how about George Smiley from John LeCarré's novels? :)
I just asked my wife. "Something kind of boring, but maybe expensive". :)
Much as I love the CWC (and boy do I love CWC!!) it feels too obviously military for a man not in uniform. I’d go with Bremont - British, robust, works well as a knuckle-duster, and the Supermarine is a modern design classic. Failing that, the Pelagos or the BB58 Blue would be good choices too.
Another vote for Bremont! I think they are the clear winner here.
My vote is a Seiko SPB143 (also known as a “Stacey”) on a NATO.
Would be a good choice, for sure!