List of James Bond gadgets

This is a list of James Bond gadgets featured in the Bond films, organised by the film eras of its actor. The original books and early adaptations had only relatively minimal pieces like the modified attache case in From Russia, with Love. The James Bond films have featured an array of exotic equipment and vehicles, which often prove to be critically useful to Bond.

However, the gadgets took on a more spectacular profile starting with the film version of Goldfinger, and its tremendous success encouraged the following films to have Bond supplied with still more equipment. For instance, it became an expected scene in each film where Q would present and demonstrate Bond's assigned tools for the mission, and it was a near guarantee that each and every piece would be invaluable to Bond in the field. Bond gadgets became an example of the literary technique of Chekhov's gun. Fans eventually complained that the use of gadgets became excessive in the Roger Moore films, particularly in Moonraker, and subsequent productions struggled to find a balance in which gadgets could have a place without giving the impression that the character unduly depended on them or using stories that arbitrarily included situations that exactly fit the use of the gadgets assigned.

This article concerns the gadgets James Bond typically carried on his person, along with gadgets and gimmicks used by allies and villains. It does not include the main doomsday device associated with the film. It does not include makeshift gadgets or weapons, animals, or general spy equipment and installations such as disguises / fake passports, surveillance equipment, secret passages / trap doors, remote-controlled detonations, unless particularly notable.

Sean Connery era (1962–1967; 1971)

Dr. No

; Geiger counter: Bond has to request one from Britain before using it to determine the radioactivity of Crab Key's rocks, suggesting they were uncommon pieces of equipment. The very first James Bond gadget.

; Dragon tank: Tank vehicle equipped with flamethrowers but popularised as a dragon.

; Bionic Hands: Dr. No's signature prosthetic hands, which he started using after losing his real hands to experiments on radiation. They possess great strength, but lack dexterity.

From Russia with Love

; James Bond's briefcase:

: A special briefcase issued to all double-0 personnel featuring:

; Dagger shoe : A shoe with a concealed poisoned blade tip. Worn by SPECTRE agents, including Rosa Klebb and Morzeny.

; Garrote watch : A wristwatch from which a wire garrote can be drawn. Preferred weapon by SPECTRE assassin recruit Red Grant.

; Tape recorder camera : A small reel-to-reel tape recorder hidden within a camera, used to interrogate Tatiana.

; Homing beacons: Also known as “homers”, used to track people. A miniaturised one is placed in the heel of Bond's shoe; another, larger one, is placed on car and can be tracked up to 150 miles.

; Drysuit with bird on top: A drysuit for snorkeling with a gull on top.

; Underwater jetpack: Bond is equipped with a jet-propelled scuba tank.

; Geiger counter camera : A camera that conceals a Geiger counter. Bond gives this to Domino to look for the bombs on the yacht.

; Miniature Very pistol: a pocket-sized flare gun firing a red signalling beacon.

; Electrocution staff chair :With the press of a button, Blofeld electrocutes the staff member on the seat which he sits on, then the seat drops down into the floor and comes back empty.

; Skyhook : Comes as a grappling suspender attached to a weather balloon that Bond can attach to his utility harness. With the aid of a specialised aircraft (B-17) installed with specialised braces, Bond and Domino are hoisted up into the air and out of the area. The bag is even waterproof enough to allow him to wear a complete uniform before his briefing with M.

; Jet Propelled Bullets: Developed by Tiger Tanaka's facility, these bullet feature extra jet propulsion for added firepower. However they were not used.

; Gyrojet rocket guns: Prototype guns using a small rocket-propelled projectile rather than conventional ammunition. A limited number were made in real life for trials by the US and British military forces, but the design never caught on, and the guns and ammunition are now very collectible (and therefore highly sought after and expensive).

; X-Ray Desk: Used by Osato to identify any concealed firearms that his prospective 'clients' may have.

; Poison-delivering string : Used by a Japanese SPECTRE assassin to deliver a dose of poison from an attic by having it running along its length to land directly in the victim's mouth. Referenced or used several times in subsequent popular culture as well, such as in the gamebook series The Way of the Tiger.

; Bo with retractable spear: Used by a SPECTRE henchmen who infiltrated Tanaka's base in an attempt to assassinate Bond.

; Lipstick gas: Helga Brant uses a lipstick case to discharge disorienting gas.

; Safe Cracking Machine : A pocket-sized device used by Bond to decipher the combination lock code of Osato's office safe.

Diamonds Are Forever

; Biometric fingerprint scanner: A projector-like device used by Tiffany Case in her Amsterdam apartment to identify her guests. One such example of how this device is used is when she takes the glass which Bond was using, then dusting the surface for a print and running it through the device and comparing it with a known fingerprint sample of her expected guest, Peter Franks.

; Pocket snap trap : A small gadget hidden in a pocket to give a person performing an unwanted search on the wielder a painful surprise.

; Electromagnetic RPM Controller Ring: Q created a ring that, when used, ensures a jackpot at any mechanical slot machine.

David Niven era (1967)

Casino Royale (non-Eon; 1967)

; Cigarette gun : Similar to the one used in the later Eon movie You Only Live Twice. Used by "Little Jimmy" Bond to kill the firing squad that tried to execute him in one scene.

; Sleeping pills : Although these are used in hospitals today, Miss Goodthighs tried to knock out Evelyn Tremble before he could play baccarat against Le Chiffre.

; Suit with various gadgets in the pockets : Q tries to explain this to Evelyn Tremble, but he ignores him.

; Bagpipe machine gun : Used by Vesper Lynd to kill Tremble.

; Minox B 8x11 Camera : Used by Q.

George Lazenby era (1969)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

; Radioactive lint: In the beginning of the movie, Q shows M a homing device made out of lint.

; Safe-cracker: A device that consists of a flexible cable ending in a grapple that fits over a typical safe combination lock. It is coupled with a photocopier.

; Minox spy camera : Bond uses a small camera to take snap shots of a map that shows where the "Angels of Death" are to release a biological agent.

<!--

; Angel of Death kit : The weapons and communications devices for the Angels of Death, ostensibly presented to them by Blofeld as a Christmas present. It includes a communications device disguised as a pocket mirror (so as to receive messages from Blofeld) and the deadly virus which Blofeld intends to use to destroy all food on Earth if the UN doesn't give in to his demands; the virus is disguised as a perfume spray.

After Bond resigns from MI6, we see him cleaning out his desk, and gadgets from past films are shown, including Honey Ryder's knife from Dr. No, Red Grant's garotte watch from From Russia with Love and the miniature re-breather from Thunderball.

-->

Roger Moore era (1973–1985)

Live and Let Die

; Rolex Submariner : This specially modified Submariner has a powerful electromagnet that, in theory, can even deflect a bullet. The watch bezel also spins to operate like a mini circular saw that can cut ropes.

; Prosthetic arm: Tee Hee's mechanical arm which contains a very strong claw capable of crushing and cutting through objects.

; "Felix Lighter": Radio transmitter/receiver disguised as a car cigarette lighter.

; Bug sweeper : a hand-held device that can sweep a room for electronic microphones.

; Clothing brush communicator : A lint brush with a communicator.

; Flute communicator: Baron Samedi uses this device as a regular flute and as a direct radio transmission communicator to Dr. Kananga

; Shark gun : Fires special pellets that expel highly pressurised air to make the target explode.

; Microfilm reader: assembled from a cigarette case and lighter

; Stun gas cigarette : The cigarette used by Soviet agent Triple X, could unleash a knockout blow of stun gas when blown through.

; Q Branch gadgets:

A hovering tea tray that can be magnetically accelerated to a speed that can sever someone's head
Spring-loaded poofah that acts like an ejection seat
Camel saddle with sword blade that sticks out of the seat

; Motorcycle sidecar missile : A rocket-powered missile in the form of a sidecar, launched by a Kawasaki Z900

Moonraker

; Wrist-mounted dart gun : A dart gun concealed under the wearer's sleeve. Uses wearer's nerve impulses to fire armour-piercing or cyanide-tipped darts.

; Spy camera : A mini-camera imprinted with 007.

; Poison pen : Holly Goodhead's pen that contains a needle to inject someone with poison.

; Notebook dart: Goodhead's notebook that shoots a poison dart. Bond calls it a "fairly deadly diary".

; Perfume flamethrower : Goodhead's perfume bottle that shoots flame.

; Transmitter purse : A transmitter in Goodhead's purse, complete with antenna and transmitting sounds.

; Mexican machine gun: Developed by Q branch, a mannequin of a Mexican taking a siesta that splits open to reveal an automatic machine gun.

; Seiko wristwatch : Contains a remote detonator and explosive charge and fuse inside the back compartment.

For Your Eyes Only

; Arm cast : Developed by Q-Branch, but not used in the field. This would look like an ordinary cast on a broken arm, except that it can also be used on an assailant coming from the back by springing out and bashing the perpetrator. This device references the Identicast system referred to in the Ian Fleming novel Goldfinger.

; Seiko wristwatch : Receives digital message read-outs and contains a 2-way radio/transmitter for voice communications.

; Q's rope: Q attempts to recreate the Indian rope trick

; Mont Blanc fountain pen : Contains a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids to dissolve metals. The top is an earpiece listening device that works with Bond's wristwatch and the homing device in the egg.

; Seiko wristwatch : Contains a homing device tracker and liquid crystal TV that works with Q Branch's surveillance cameras. The watch is a Seiko G757 5020 Sports 100.

; Electric shaver bug detector : Detects surveillance bugs, in the form of an electric shaver. Philips brand.

; Polarising sunglasses: Allows the ability of seeing clearly through tinted glass.

Timothy Dalton era (1987–1989)

The Living Daylights

;Cigarette case binoculars

: This device is made to look like a cigarette case, but opens up to a pair of small binoculars

; Ghettoblaster: A shoulder fired rocket launcher disguised as a portable stereo (boombox).

; Whistle-activated keychain: A multi-purpose keychain that can release stun gas or explode depending on the tune whistled.

; Revolving sofa : Q Branch is testing a sofa that swallows whoever sits on it, as demonstrated by one of his assistants.

; Milk bottle hand grenades : While disguised as a milkman, Necros throws milk bottles that explode on contact.

; Dentonite toothpaste : Plastic explosives disguised as ordinary tube of toothpaste. The receiver that picks up the signal from Bond to blow the explosives is disguised as a packet of cigarettes.

; Laser Polaroid camera : When the flash is used on this camera, it shoots a laser. It can also take x-ray pictures.

; Parker Jotter ballpoint pen grenade : Contains a class-four grenade. A four-second fuse is armed after three clicks in succession. Another three clicks disarms it. Used by Bond to escape his captors after Boris nervously clicks it.

; Wristwatch : An Omega Seamaster Professional (the first of James Bond's non-Seiko/Rolex gadget watches) with built-in laser cutter and a remote detonator.

:* a fingerprint scanner/analyser/transmitter that can also be used for opening high-tech fingerprint-identification locks

:* Antennae lock pick, which detaches from the phone and when inserted into a keyhole, hitting a key on the phone can then open the lock.

:* "Flip-open" remote control for operating his BMW 750iL (Directional steering pad, LCD monitor for the front and rear view, controls to fire rocket launcher and operate the car's other defence mechanisms)

; Omega Seamaster wristwatch: Contains a grappling hook with fifty feet of high-tensile micro-filament and a high intensity lighted bezel.

; Cane gun: A seemingly ordinary ornate-looking walking cane used by Valentin Zukosky. Doubles as a gun with a trigger built into the handle.

Die Another Day

; Single digit sonic agitator : A "standard issue" ring for the finger which is actually an "ultra high-frequency single digit sonic agitator unit" that can shatter bullet-proof glass (or any " 'unbreakable' glass", as commented by Q in the movie) or disable another person.

; Virtual reality headset : Used by James Bond for training and by Moneypenny for romancing Bond's virtual avatar.

Several gadgets from previous James Bond films are featured, including Rosa Klebb's stiletto knife shoe, the jetpack from Thunderball and the re-breather apparatus from Thunderball.

Daniel Craig era (2006–2021)

Since the reboot of the franchise with Casino Royale, the character of Q and his lab had been absent from the films until Skyfall.

Casino Royale

; Sony Ericsson K800 : Mobile phone with sophisticated GPS and 3.2 megapixel digital camera, with the ability to take multiple pictures very rapidly.

; Explosive keychain : Remotely detonated by a cell phone message.

; Portable defibrillator : Placed in the glove compartment of Bond's vehicle.

Quantum of Solace

; Sony Ericsson C902 : This mobile phone has a built in identification imager, capable of compiling a composite facial image of a potential suspect even when the person being photographed is looking to the side. This phone can also receive information immediately regarding the suspect as it is also tied into the MI6 data mainframe.

; Blofeld's eye: A bionic eye that allows Blofeld to communicate remotely with others. It also has a video log of what it has seen.

; Nanobot virus: The main weapon in the film, a virus that can be programmed to kill a person and their blood-related families based on their DNA sequencing. Transmittable by air and by contact.

; EMP watch: A watch that emits an electromagnetic pulse to disable nearby electronics.

; Q-Dar: Allows Bond and the team to map the architecture of the facility as he moves through it.

Other media

References

</references>

Works cited

External links

James Bond Watches
James Bond Gadget Watch History
Review of the "Bond" Omega Seamaster Professional
BondMovies.com: Q Branch (archive)
James Bond MM: James Bond gadgets
How to Make James Bond Spy Gadgets
Bond like Spy Gadgets for Men