Jean-Paul Belmondo enjoys wearing his Panerai Submersible with a Panerai submersible leather strap.
Jean-Paul Belmondo is one of the most prolific French actors and biggest French stars in the 1960’s through the 1980’s. He made tremendous films including Breathless (1960) and That Man from Rio (1964) and Cartouche (1962). He appeared in the James Bond comedy Casino Royale (1967).
Jean-Paul Belmondo has played opposite of some of the most beautiful actresses on film including Raquel Welch, Mia Farrow, Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, Ursula Andress, and Claudia Cardinale. Personally, he had long affairs with actresses Ursula Andress, Laura Antonelli and Carlos Sotto Mayor. 
Bombshell actress and first Bond-girl Ursula Andress still calls Jean-Paul Belmondo “The love of my life.” Their chemistry in the films Up to His Ears and Les Tribulations d’un Chinois en Chine were palpable and led to a discreet, yet intense, off-screen romance.
Besides acting in film, Jean-Paul Belmondo performed on stage for the production of Kean by Sartre, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Les Misérables. He also produced several films in the 70’s and 80’s.
Jean-Paul Belmondo Preeminent Actor
Belmondo was often referred to as the international Humphrey Bogart and compared to the ultra-masculine James Dean. His youth and manly demeanor helped him win multiple “action star” type roles. He exhibits the easy intensity and toughness which allowed him to do almost anything, while being ready to take on the most beautiful girl of the moment.
Belmondo has often been tied to the art film movement known as the French New Wave. Although he claims he didn’t even know what the New Wave stood for, he appeared in multiple films which rejected the traditional filmmaking conventions and explored new ways of editing, narrative, and the use of irony and existential themes.
Belmondo’s Love for Fine Timepieces
Pictured above is Belmondo wearing a Panerai Submersible with luminescent dots for hour markers except at the 12 o’clock position where it is 2 vertical dashes. The small seconds appears at the 9 o’clock position. The Panerai Sub has a 47mm case which is quite large, but looks appropriate on his tanned masculine wrist.
It is not uncommon to find a Panerai on an action star’s wrist. Panerai first made waves when the brand was “discovered” by top American action star Sylvester Stallone. Belmondo is believed to own a Panerai Luminar Marina as well.
Belmondo has been seen wearing the above Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6263. This timepiece is highly sought after by collectors and could easily fetch six figures or more at auction.
This vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronograph Daytona has a perfect 37 mm stainless steel case. It has a black Mark III service bezel and a perfect tritium “Sigma” dial. It has matching tritium hands set and a 78350/19 Rolex Oyster bracelet. It is powered by a caliber 727 movement.
Belmondo’s love for this timepiece was evident, since he was pictured wearing it several times, and in multiple movies. The steel case and Oyster band gives it physical strength, but the black dial with creamy white dials inside give it a unique masculine appeal.
The Daytona is loved for its rarity. However, in its time the Daytona was not one of the highly sought after models. Belmondo picked up two other Rolexes which were more widely admired in its time.
The Rolex Submariner is one of those timepieces. Also sought after today by collectors, it has taken somewhat of a backseat in popularity to the Daytona. The Submariner became popularized by Sean Connery in his James Bond movies. And since then, the timepiece has grown in popularity with the unmistakable Rolex brand.
The Rolex Presidential Day-Date is one of the finest timepieces and worn by Presidents and other luminaries. This yellow gold model has a gold bracelet and white dial with gold markers. The Day-Date was the first watch to show both the date aperture and the day of the week spelled out at the top.
Rubber B has developed an extensive lineup of rubberized bands to support both Rolex and Panerai. All of Rubber B’s bands are made in Switzerland from pure vulcanized rubber. For more information on Rubber B’s made for Rolex bands click here, and for its bands for Panerai timepieces click here.
