Five of the best action-movie watches you can still buy at retail
Zach BlassWatches in film, whether or not snobbish enthusiasts are willing to admit it to themselves, are some of the biggest motivators for people to get into watch collecting. First you fall in love with one watch, say the Submariner after watching Sean Connery suavely save the day. But, like a bag of potato chips, you start with one only to find you have soon scarfed down the whole bag. It is a sickness, an addiction, and all it takes is one strong emotional connection to a timepiece to tip you down the rabbit-hole of watch enthusiasm. To comb through all of the awesome watches worn by action-movie superstars over the years would be an exhaustive proposition, and many of these watches are no longer even available for purchase new at retail. So, here are five of the best action-movie watches you can still actually buy at retail.
Mission Impossible: Casio DW290-1V
Affectionately, I have referred to Casio watches as cockroaches in the past. Not because they are disgusting or unwanted, rather because they are super robust and will survive even the harshest conditions. With all of its functionalities, Casio creates digital watches that made to be used in the line of duty. Sure, Bond has Rolex and Omega. But often in military films, or, more importantly, in the actual military itself, you will find most service members opting for a Casio or G-Shock due to their tried-and-true performance and durability. Therefore the choice was very fitting for Cruise’s first outing as agent Ethan Hunt, and one you can emulate with very little blow to your bank account.
You can purchase the Casio DW290-1V here. Price: US$54.95
Interstellar: Hamilton Khaki Field Murph
I cannot think of a wristwatch more integral to a film’s plot than the Khaki Field Murph, and fortunately for watch buyers the Murph offers high specs for low dollars. The 42mm size was utilised in the film, but the 38mm, to some people’s chagrin, is actually more accurate from a dial perspective due to the small detail omission of the “Eureka” Morse code found on the 42mm model’s central second hand (which was not on the film watch). One hundred metres of water resistance, 80 hours of power reserve, and two sizes anyone can wear, if you love watches and Interstellar, or even just watches, picking one up for your collection is a no-brainer.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Khaki Field Murph |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) x 44mm (L2L) 42mm (D) x 11mm (T) x 52mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Matte black |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire |
| Strap | Faux-croc black calfskin leather strap with pin buckle |
| Movement | Hamilton H-10, ETA C07.611 base, stated tolerance -10/+15 s/d |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$895 (38mm), US$995 (42mm) |
The Gray Man: TAG Heuer Carrera Three Hands 39mm
The Carrera Three Hands collection, or more specifically the 39mm configuration, had a starring role alongside Ryan Gosling in the Netflix film The Gray Man. The US$3K price point is widely held as the entry point for a luxury Swiss watch, and the Three Hands collection is definitely a great place to start a collection. You get the iconic lines of the Carrera case with its robust elegant TAG Heuer aesthetic that can be dressed down and up, and a no-fuss robust automatic calibre that is cost-effective to maintain.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Carerra Three Hands |
| Case Dimensions | 29mm (D) x 10.75mm (T) 39mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) 41mm (D) x 12.37mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Blue, black, silver, mother of pearl (29mm only) |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback |
| Bracelet/Strap | Bracelet or leather strap, 29mm only available on bracelet |
| Movement | 29mm: Calibre 9 Automatic 39mm: Calibre 5 Automatic (date) 41mm: Calibre 5 Automatic (day-date) |
| Power Reserve | 29mm: 40 hours 39mm: 38 hours 41mm: 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date (39mm only), day-date (41mm only) |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | 29mm: US$3,600 39mm: US$2,900 (on leather), US$3,000 (on bracelet) 41mm: US$3,100 (on leather), US$3,250 (on bracelet) |
Bullet Train: Breitling AVI ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition
As a Breitling ambassador, it is no surprise that a Breitling watch ended up on Pitt’s wrist for the film. The chronograph will speak to vintage-sensibilities thanks to its radium coloured SuperLuminova®, and its design directly inspired by a 1953 model within their catalogue. With a 48.7mm lug-to-lug, the 41mm diameter watch can be tamed by smaller wrists, and with the Kenissi-developed B09 calibre inside you have an automatic chronograph movement that offers 70 hours of power reserve.
| Brand | Brietling |
| Model | AVI ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 14.05mm (T) x 48.7mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Dial | Matte black |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Strap | 22mm black calfskin strap with steel tang buckle |
| Movement | Breitling B09 |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$8,600 |
No Time to Die: Omega Seamaster 007 No Time to Die Edition
Arguably the greatest Omega Bond watch ever made, the Seamaster Diver 300M No Time to Die 007 Edition was the perfect watch for Craig to end his tenure with. While the character has historically been portrayed as a suave and quippy agent, Craig’s Bond always had more of a believable edge – a greater connection to Bond’s commando backstory. According to the film’s costume designer, there was a real effort to showcase this facet of Bond. As she put it during the Bond 60th anniversary dinner I attended in NYC at Omega’s Boutique, *spoiler alert*, there was no way she was going to let Bond die in a tuxedo. No Time to Die showcased Bond far more as a soldier than a spy, and the NTTD Seamaster is evocative of this angle – especially clear in the caseback service markings. Titanium is robust and lightweight, and ultimately much more appropriate for an operative’s watch than stainless steel and the anodized aluminium bezel is far less reflective and more stealthy than the modern ceramic bezels.
| Brand | Omega |
| Model | Seamaster Diver 300M No Time to Die 007 Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 13mm (T) x 50mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 300m (screw-down crown) |
| Dial | Matte |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Strap | 20mm NATO strap or titanium mesh bracelet |
| Movement | In-house automatic METAS Co-Axial calibre 8806 |
| Power Reserve | 55 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$8,400 (strap), US$9,500 (bracelet) |