SimplyAbuDhabi XLVII

ROLEX SUBMARINER 6538 Movie: Dr. No (1962) Features: 38mm Stainless Steel case, Bidirectional black aluminium insert rotating bezel, water resistance up to 200 metres, oyster bracelet and 1030 automatic movement. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 6538, commonly known as the “James Bond Rolex”, was originally created and manufactured for underwater exploration in 1953, and 72 years later it remains a paragon of classic design and engineering excellence. In the early 1960s, both the James Bond film series and the Rolex Submariner were nascent forces. The year 1962 marked the release of Dr. No , the very first film starring the iconic British spy, agent 007. The inaugural movie saw Sean Connery make his debut as James Bond, and the Submariner 6530 “Big Crown” became an extension of his character—adventurous, durable, and undeniably stylish. The watch’s notable appearance in the film transformed the public’s perception of dive watches, elevating them to symbols of luxury and adventure. Its timeless design, coupled with Rolex’s reputation for precision and reliability, has ensured that the Submariner remains the revered benchmark in luxury diving watches. Over the decades, it has inspired, influenced, and been a must-have for serious watch collectors around the globe. The version worn by Bond in Dr. No was not on the customary Oyster bracelet, but rather on a striped NATO-style strap, pre-empting the popularity of this strap by at least 60 years. Bond’s Submariner 6538 also appeared in later Bond films including, From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), and Thunderball (1965). James Bond eventually wore other watches in the wildly successful film franchise, Rolex and otherwise, but the Submariner 6538 will forever be the ultimate James Bond timepiece. While Rolex and 007 may not have an official partnership today, their union left an indelible mark on both the brand and the James Bond universe, forever intertwining their legacies. Simply Abu Dhabi | 209