Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan talks watches, making movies and how he likes to spend his spare time

A watch lover with a collection that reflects some of the milestone moments in his career, Irish actor Pierce Brosnan recently sat down with us to chat about his latest timepiece obsession, new film projects – and the things he doesn’t make time for anymore.

The former James Bond star, 65, spoke at this year’s watch fair, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland, about how he became an ambassador to the independent watch brand Speake-Marin.

How did you discover Speake-Marin watches?
In 2015 I did a movie called Survivor with Milla Jovovich and I played a man called the Watchmaker who was a hit man.

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This young English designer of watches, Peter Speake-Marin, was a consultant on the set. At the end we became friends, hence my association with Speake-Marin.

But your interest in watches began long before this association with Speake-Marin?
I hadn’t really aligned myself to one watch or another.

When I did The Thomas Crown Affair, I wore the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo, and with Omega, it was through James Bond, obviously. I was wearing Panerai in After the Sunset.

On a more personal level, which watches have you enjoyed having the most?
I’ve always enjoyed watches. Aside from the ones I’ve worn in movies, I have a beautiful Cartier watch from my late [first] wife [Cassandra Harris].

My wife Keely gave me a beautiful Blancpain. I’ve also bought a few myself; not a big collection, but it’s a collection.

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What do you look for when adding to your collection?
The look of the watch, does the face appeal to me? Do I want to touch it? And can I afford it? Because when all those ingredients are there, they can get very expensive.

But I don’t think they need to necessarily be expensive to be attractive, of course.

What are your thoughts on smart watches: are you for or against them?
I don’t use them: I don’t like them. I guess I’m just old fashion.

You’re both producing and acting these days. Is there one or the other you that find yourself enjoying more these days? 
I like both: it’s wonderful finding a project that you want to work on and spend six months of your life putting it together, bringing the cast and the crew together.

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Having grown up in theatre, and working with an ensemble, it’s great to bring that same sensibility to a movie. It’s also great to surround yourself and work with people that you admire, people who are good, kind and hardworking.

What does spending quality time entail for you nowadays?
I don’t like to waste my time on the news. I like to be very simple. I do like to read the newspaper: I read The New York Times and the LA Times to check out the news. I like to stay away from boring people, uninspiring people, unkind people.

After this, I’ll be off to see my mother and my son. I’ll go to the theatre and I’ll enjoy my time.

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