The Secret Inside James Bond’s Real Razor-Edged Rolex
This ref. 5513 Submariner worn by Roger Moore last sold for $245,000.
This article is for subscribers only.
On Nov. 8 in Geneva, Phillips is selling the actual Rolex Submariner that Roger Moore wore as James Bond in 1973’s Live and Let Die. Yes, this watch touched 007's suave wrist.
Looking at the watch, it seems like a simple enough 1972 Rolex Submariner (ref. 5513 for the nerds), but it's far from that. Production designer Syd Cain—basically a real-life Q—got hold of it prior and heavily modified it for filming. Nowadays, Bond watches are usually promotional items and the Daniel Craig films have all heavily featured various Omega watches. The watch even gets a straight call-out during a tension-filled train ride in Casino Royale, during which Craig flat-out states that he doesn't wear Rolex, much to Eva Green's chagrin.