In keeping with the thread theme (sort of anyway), her’s is Bonds’ Rolex - as prefere d by Fleming.
Film: Dr. No
Year of Release: 1962
Actor who played James Bond: Sean Connery
Some more reading;
Some more reading;
Very interesting find thank you.
To be fair it is quite an iconic watch in its own right without having to hijack the bond franchise.
I think in the 60s Rolexes were still regarded as tool watches, not much snob value there.
They’re missing an important one that gets rather a lot of screen time on Roger Moore’s wrist in Live and Let Die; the Tissot PR516.
Stills from Live and Let Die courtesy of the Bond Lifestyle website, and a picture of my own PR516, above.
Just read the article on it, Richard. Can’t stop thinking that Moore would have got Flemings’ seal of approval as the perfect Bond and would have loved to see him in Casino Royale.
I don’t think a Speedmaster Pro ever featured in a Bond movie. Only Seamasters AFAIK.
That would make more sense
Omega consistently uses the Bond connection when advertising Seamasters since the Brosnan era.
Speedies are all advertised using the Apollo/Moon connection.
Mark
and not a bad looking watch.
The dial face is interesting. It’s a dark green/blue that you only really notice when it catches the light.
This image from Fratello shows it better than my own picture;
In Goldfinger, written in 1959, apparently (I’ve not read it) Bond has a DB Mk 111. There is also an Aston DB2 of a similar vintage with some unusual mods on it that was in Flemings part of the world (Kent) at the time, the owner of which was known to Fleming and that car may have been the inspiration for the gadgets that later featured.
You appear to be be a bit of a watch collector, Richard, judging by your comments.
Have you seen John Harrison’s marine chronometers held at Greenwich Maritime Museum? They’re quite wonderful and a must-see next time you have a half-day free in London, once this wretched Covid disappears (viz Dava Sobell’s book ‘Longitude’).
If you like the workmanship in an ARO, you’d love the Harrison clocks.
Lovely Reverso
He drives a Bentley in one of the early films. Either Dr No or Goldfinger
Found it. From Russia with Love
I think that was the second in the franchise - after ‘Doctor No’.
Indeed - and the last time we see Bond’s girlfriend Sylvia Trench.
Yes Bond owned a Bentley in the books. It got wrecked chasing Hugo Drax who was in a Merc 300 gullwing. From memory the Aston only appeared in the Goldfinger book.
Fleming was indeed somewhat discerning…or a frightful snob…depending on your viewpoint.
I read the books repeatedly as a teenager and decided an Aston Martin and Rolex were essential items.
I managed both but only kept the Submariner. The Vantage was sacrificed for a Utility Room and my Naim journey.
I have a 1971 Omega, which although in vgc has started to exhibit signs of condensation when worn in rain. I can clear this by placing it in a bowl of rice, but finally decided to get it properly serviced and repaired. Yesterday I took it to the Omega retailer in Bath and was told that they’re no longer able to perform the service on the premises and that because of its age the minimum price for service would be £600 and possibly considerably more. I think I need to find an alternative solution.