This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws - the film that invented the summer blockbuster, terrified beachgoers for generations, and made a rubber shark more famous than most actors.
Directed by a young Steven Spielberg and released in June 1975, Jaws has become an enduring piece of cinema. But alongside the iconic moments, like the chilling two-note theme by John Williams or that unforgettable line - “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” - there’s a quieter, geekier fascination that’s endured among watch enthusiasts: the timepieces worn by Chief Martin Brody and oceanographer Matt Hooper.
Throughout the film, both characters - played by Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss - wear distinct wristwatches that reflect their personalities. These were not high-profile product placements or luxury statements. They were functional tools (or, in Brody’s case, not so functional) that suited their personalities, intentionally or otherwise. Today, those watches have taken on a cult status in the world of horology. As we celebrate the golden anniversary of Jaws, let’s take a closer look at the timepieces that helped define two of its leading men.
For years, fans debated what watch Hooper was wearing. It was clearly a diver - some hoped it was an Omega Ploprof, the overbuilt cult classic of the 1970s. But eventually, after countless freeze-frames and forensic-level analysis, the truth surfaced: Hooper wore an Alsta Nautoscaph Superautomatic.
This wasn’t a Rolex or a Seiko. It was a deep cut - a functional, no-nonsense dive watch with a bicolor rotating bezel, cushion-shaped case, and a distinctive bracelet. It was produced by a small Swiss brand, Alsta, which quietly folded in the late 1970s during the quartz crisis. At the time of filming, it was a niche tool for serious divers, not status seekers.
The choice couldn’t be more perfect. Hooper is a man of science. He’s more interested in what works than what impresses. The Alsta Nautoscaph reflects that perfectly: tough, practical, and a little under the radar. It’s not the watch of a flashy adventurer - it’s the choice of a professional who knows what he’s doing.
In 2014, Alsta was revived. And in 2020, they released a nearly exact reissue of Hooper’s original - limited to 1,975 pieces, a fitting tribute to the year Jaws first hit the big screen. For watch collectors and film fans alike, it’s a piece of cinematic history you can wear on your wrist.
If Hooper’s Alsta is a no-nonsense tool of the sea, Chief Martin Brody’s watch couldn’t be further removed. Played by Roy Scheider, Brody is the landlocked city cop reluctantly transplanted to the seaside town of Amity. He doesn’t like boats, doesn’t go in the water, and is understandably out of his element when asked to battle a monstrous shark. His wristwatch reflects that tension perfectly.
Brody wears a Hamilton Lyndon CLD, a 34mm dress-style watch that would be far more at home at a city council meeting than on the deck of a fishing boat. The watch features a stainless steel case with elegant, angular lugs, applied Arabic numerals, and a clean, mid-century design aesthetic. It’s understated, handsome, and completely unsuited for marine adventures.
And yet, it fits. Brody is a reluctant hero. He didn’t sign up to be shark bait. His Hamilton Lyndon CLD is a watch for a desk, a town hall meeting, maybe a family barbecue - not the deck of the Orca. But that’s what makes it so charming. He’s the everyman who rises to the moment. He’s not equipped with the best tools - just determination and guts.
It’s poetic that Brody’s elegant little Hamilton survives the film just as he does. In the final scene, after famously blowing the shark to pieces with a rifle shot to a compressed air tank - “Smile, you son of a...” - he’s floating back to shore with Hooper, battered but alive. His Hamilton? Still ticking.
While Hooper and Brody are the only characters we see wearing watches, it’s worth mentioning the third member of the trio: the crusty, Ahab-like shark hunter, Quint. Played by Robert Shaw, Quint steals every scene he’s in. With his battered cap, sea-worn hands, and USS Indianapolis monologue, he’s the spiritual heart of Jaws.
There’s no visible wristwatch on Quint - fitting, perhaps, for a man who lives by tides and instinct rather than seconds and subdials. But if he had worn one, fans like to imagine it might’ve been a military-issue Elgin or a no-nonsense field watch beaten to hell by saltwater. Quint was a man of experience, not ornament.
Then, of course, there’s the real star of the movie: Bruce - the mechanical shark named after Spielberg’s lawyer. Bruce may not wear a watch, but he does have impeccable timing, appearing just when things seem calm and serene.
Time and tension are everything in Jaws, which may explain why watches have become such an unlikely obsession tied to the film.
As Jaws turns 50, its place in film history is more secure than ever. But the beauty of a classic is that it continues to reveal new layers. The watches of Hooper and Brody aren’t just background details. They’re quiet symbols of character - of preparedness versus improvisation, science versus instinct, land versus sea.
The Alsta Nautoscaph Superautomatic and the Hamilton Lyndon CLD aren’t just timepieces - they tell a story. One’s a deep-diving icon resurrected for a new generation. The other is a vintage dress watch that probably shouldn’t have made it to sea - but did, and survived. Just like Brody.
So the next time you hear those two notes - da-dum... da-dum... - and feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise, take a look at the wrists of the men facing down the terror from the deep. In Jaws, even the watches have something to say.
And remember: you’re gonna need a bigger boat - but maybe not a bigger watch.
You might not be heading out to face a great white shark, but a reliable dive watch can still be a valuable companion. Explore our carefully curated selection below.
At BQ Watches, we’re here to help you find the perfect dive watch. Just fill out the form below, and one of our friendly team members will be in touch shortly.
