The Great Escape (1963)

The Great Escape

Allied prisoners of war in a German camp during World War II mount a massive, meticulously planned tunnel escape, drawing on the real breakout from Stalag Luft III. (Wikipedia) Directed by John Sturges, the film stars Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts, the motorcycle-riding "Cooler King," alongside James Garner and Richard Attenborough; United Artists released it July 4, 1963.

Watches

Rolex Speedking

Worn by Steve McQueen as Virgil Hilts. BAMF Style lists a Rolex Speedking wristwatch, with a stainless steel case, black dial, and khaki strap, among Hilts' itemized on-screen wardrobe. Montres de Luxe corroborates the steel Speedking, worn on the right wrist, but describes the strap as leather rather than a khaki fabric strap. (BAMF Style; Montres de Luxe)

© United Artists

W.W.W. watch

Worn by James Garner as Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley. Hendley wears a simple steel watch with a black dial and plain white hour markers, on a drab pigskin strap on the wrist opposite his gold identity bracelet. BAMF Style identifies it as likely one of the "W.W.W." (Watch, Wristlet, Waterproof) watches the British Ministry of Defence contracted from the "Dirty Dozen" Swiss manufacturers, a group that included Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex. Hendley wears the same watch through his escape attempt with Blythe near the film's end. (BAMF Style)

© United Artists