Rare Rolex Submariner watch like the one worn by Sean Connery’s James Bond that was bought second-hand for just £20 in 1970 is set to sell for £150,000 at auction
- The watch belongs to a man whose father was unable to afford a brand new one
- The owner, who has not been named, sourced a second hand model in 1970
- The item is a Submariner 6538 4 Line series which was Connery’s timepiece of choice as Bond
A rare Rolex watch like the one worn by Sean Connery’s James Bond that was bought second hand for just £20 is now set to sell for £150,000.
The stainless steel Submariner wristwatch belongs to a man whose father was unable to afford a brand new one for diving.
The original owner, who has not been named, sourced a second hand model in 1970 and it is now worth 1,500 times more than he paid for it.
The item is a Submariner 6538 4 Line series which was Sean Connery’s timepiece of choice as Bond.
They seldom appear on the open market today and attract an army of loyal collectors whenever they do. The watch has now been consigned for sale with auctioneers Bonhams.
The original owner, who has not been named, sourced a second hand model of the watch in 1970 and it is now worth 1,500 times more than he paid for it
The item is a Submariner 6538 4 Line series which was Sean Connery’s timepiece of choice as Bond
The watch was made by the famous Swiss company in 1956 and remains in perfect original condition.
It measures 37mm and has a black face with gold hands with a Mercedes Benz logo on the hour hand.
A spokesman for Bonhams said: ‘The present owner’s father bought this watch second hand in 1970 for £20 as he could not afford a new watch for diving.
‘Little did he realise he was buying into the Submariner legacy and has become one of the touch points for collectors the world over.
‘The 6538 was supplied for just four years but it has become one of the best known and sought after of the Submariner models.
The watch measures 37mm and has a black face with gold hands with a Mercedes Benz logo on the hour hand
‘Its general defining features are the over sized crown, lack of protective crown guards and gilt dial.
‘The gilt dial comes with gilt hands which are unusual for a stainless steel case but typical for this date.
‘These features mean that it is instantly recognisable and since it became the adopted watch of the James Bond film character played by Sean Connery, rather famous too.’
The sale takes place on August 5.