Iconic Watches of Hollywood auction with Bond OMEGA and Rolex models at Bob's Watches

Online Rolex watches seller Bob's Watches has started their "Fresh Finds: Iconic Watches of Hollywood" auction, featuring iconic Rolex watch models similar to the ones seen in the early Bond films, on Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.

UPDATE 27 November: auction results added at the bottom of this article.

The auction will run for 7 days and feature a mix of highly sought-after rare and vintage Rolex and OMEGA models. Registration is required prior to bidding.

Note that the watches are not screen-used watches from actual movies.

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Lot 1 Omega Seamaster 300 Co-Axial "SPECTRE" Limited Edition
Opening Bid: $6,500 more info and bidding

Omega Seamaster 300 SPECTRE Limited Edition, ref. 233.32.41.21.01.001
photo © Bob's Watches

This is an Omega Seamaster 300 SPECTRE Limited Edition, ref. 233.32.41.21.01.001, with stickers, circa 2015. This model watch was also seen in the Bond film SPECTRE, and was available at the time of the release of the film it was the first Bond Omega that came standard with a NATO strap. It was limited to 7,007 models.

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Lot 2 Vintage Rolex Submariner Ref 5512 "Steve Mcqueen" W/ Glossy Gilt Dial, Cosc Papers Circa 1966
Opening Bid: $29,000 - more info and bidding

Rolex Submariner Ref 5512
photo © Bob's Watches

The personal watch of choice for Hollywood legend Steve McQueen and a top target for many vintage collectors, the Rolex Submariner 5512 is an undeniable classic within the world of horology. As the model that first established the Submariner’ now-iconic design, this particular reference 5512 features a beautiful glossy gilt dial with silver chronometer certification text, and it is completed by an original circa-appropriate bezel insert and a later-era 78360 Oyster bracelet.

Note that Roger Moore as James Bond in Live And Let Die wears a slightly different verson, the 5513 model.

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Lot 3 Vintage Rolex Daytona Ref 6239 W/ "Paul Newman" Dial Circa 1968
Opening Bid: $145,000 - more info and bidding

Rolex Daytona Ref 6239
photo © Bob's Watches

Dating back to 1968, this particular Rolex Paul Newman Daytona is a reference 6239 - the very first Rolex Daytona every produced and the exact same model that Paul Newman wore. Rather than being associated with the famous Hollywood actor due to its appearance on his wrist in a noteworthy film; this was the watch that was given to Paul Newman by his wife and the one that he actually chose to wear during much of his personal life. When Paul Newman’s very own Paul Newman Daytona sold at an auction in 2017, it fetched a total of $17.75 million, making it the most expensive Rolex watch ever sold.

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Lot 4 Vintage Rolex Gmt Ref 6542 "Pussy Galore" W/ Bakelite Bezel, Unpolished Circa 1958
Opening Bid: $150,000 - more info and bidding

Rolex GMT-Master Ref 6542
photo © Bob's Watches

Although James Bond wore a Rolex Submariner during the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, another noteworthy Rolex watch appeared during that same movie and just like the Submariner, that model is now incredibly collectible today. Known as the “Pussy Galore” due to being famously worn by the fictional character of the same name (portrayed by Honor Blackman), the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 6542 is the most rare and sought after GMT watch of all time.

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Lot 5 Vintage Rolex Submariner Ref 6538 "James Bond" W/ Big Crown, Tropical Dial Circa 1957
Opening Bid: $165,000 - more info and bidding

Rolex Submariner Ref 6538
photo © Bob's Watches

This particular Rolex Submariner 6538 dates back to approximately 1957, and just like the exact watch worn by Sean Connery in the classic James Bond films, this example features a 2-line gilt dial rather than a 4-line dial like what can be found on the chronometer-certified versions of the reference 6538. Completed with a circa-appropriate, rivet-link Oyster bracelet and beautiful red triangle ghost bezel insert, this incredibly rare and highly collectible vintage Rolex Submariner is an excellent example of one of the most famous and important dive watches of all time.

UPDATE: Auction Results

The total value achieved by the auction was $581,100 - a rather impressive sum considering that there were only five watches featured in the auction and the average starting bid was just short of the six-figure mark ($99,100 to be precise).

The least expensive Rolex watch featured in the auction was the gilt dial Submariner ref. 5512 (a true grail watch for many collectors), which achieved a final sale price of $30,000 by the time bidding had closed. Meanwhile, the most expensive lot from the auction was the Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6239, which achieved a final sale price of $185,000. Shortly following it in second place was the “James Bond” Submariner ref. 6538 with a 2-line gilt dial and red-triangle bezel insert, which reached a final price of $180,000, while the Bakelite bezel GMT-Master ref. 6542 closely followed, attaining the third-highest price and selling for a highly respectable $175,000. The Omega Seamaster 300 SPECTRE Edition was sold for $11,100, quite a bit higher than the original retail price of $7,500.

LOT 1: Omega Seamaster 300 “SPECTRE” Limited Edition: $11,100

LOT 2: Rolex Submariner ref. 5512: $30,000

LOT 3: Rolex Daytona ref. 6239: $185,000

LOT 4: Rolex GMT-Master ref. 6542: $175,000

LOT 5: Rolex Submariner ref. 6538: $180,000

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Bob's Watches is a pre-owned Rolex exchange where consumers can buy, sell, and trade vintage and used Rolex watches. Bob’s Watches was founded by Paul Altieri and is based in Newport Beach, California.