London: He is an Islamist fanatic inspired by a hatred of the West, but that apparently does not mean Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi denies himself small luxuries.

Making a rare public appearance, the self-declared caliph of the Islamic State revealed, with a flick of his wrist, that he was wearing the type of expensive watch favoured by James Bond.

The appearance of the leader of Iraq's insurgency at prayers in the northern city of Mosul on Saturday was filmed for propaganda purposes.

Appearing in black robes and a turban in an attempt to evoke memories of former caliphs, Baghdadi called on Muslims to join his war to restore Islam's lost glory. But his call to embrace a "duty that has been lost for centuries" was overshadowed by a debate on social media on whether his timepiece was a Rolex, a Sekonda or a £3500 ($6400) Omega Seamaster. The Omega, as worn by 007 actor Daniel Craig, has been advertised as a symbol of the "James Bond spirit".