Worn by: Laurence Harvey as Lieutenant Commander Lionel Crabb
Reference: Rolex Submariner
Brand: Rolex
Lionel Crabb is a British naval officer sent to Gibraltar to disarm limpet mines attached to Allied ships by Italian frogmen, eventually learning to dive himself and gaining respect from Italian crews through his honorable treatment of fallen enemy divers. The Rolex Submariner reference 6538 "Big Crown" represents a fascinating anachronism—the film depicts 1940s wartime events, but equips its protagonist with Rolex's cutting-edge 1958 dive watch technology. The 6538 earned its "Big Crown" nickname from its oversized 8mm winding crown, larger than standard Submariners, providing easier grip with diving gloves. At 38mm with 200m water resistance and a rotating bezel, it established the template for modern dive watches. The watch features Rolex's caliber 1030 automatic movement and the iconic four-line dial reading "Submariner" and depth rating. For a film about the cat-and-mouse game between British and Italian combat divers, choosing period-appropriate 1950s dive watch technology rather than wartime equipment gave the production contemporary relevance. The 6538 would become legendary as James Bond's watch in early 007 films, but here it serves its intended purpose—timing underwater demolition operations in a historically-based diving thriller.
Source: https://perezcope.com/2022/02/04/vintage-rolex-panerai-on-the-big-screen/