Horological Meandering

We all know Ian Fleming was an English intelligence officer (and journalist) best known for creating the James Bond series of spy novels.  And some of us know that Mr. Fleming wore a Rolex Submariner, ref. 6538 – the same watch 007 has worn for most of his illustrious and seemingly never-ending career as a licensed assassin.  Here are the watches the venerable spy has sported over the years:

·         Dr. No:  Rolex Submariner ref. 6538 w/fabric strap.

·         From Russia with Love:  Rolex Submariner ref. 6538.

·         Goldfinger:  Rolex Submariner ref. 6538 w/fabric strap.

·         Thunderball - Rolex Submariner ref. 6538 w/fabric strap.
                     Breitling Top Time (fitted with a Geiger counter).

·         On HMSS:  Rolex Submariner ref. 6538 w/fabric strap.
                    Rolex “pre-Daytona” chronograph ref. 6238.

·         Live and Let Die:  Hamilton Pulsar P2-2900.
                            Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 w/”buzz saw” bezel.

·         The Man with the Golden Gun:  Rolex Submariner ref. 5513.

·         The Spy Who Loved Me:  Seiko 0674 LC w/ticker-tape printer.

·         Moonraker:  Seiko M354 Memory-Bank Calendar.

·         For Your Eyes Only:  Seiko H357 w/satellite phone.
                                 Seiko 7549 diver’s watch.

·         Octopussy:  Seiko G757 Sports 100 w/homing device.

·         A View to a Kill:  Seiko SPR007 Chronograph.
                           Seiko SPW001 diver’s watch.
                           Seiko SPD094 two-tone analog watch.

·         The Living Daylights:  TAG Heuer Professional “Night Dive”.

·         License to Kill:  Rolex Submariner w/Date, ref. 16610

·         GoldenEye:  Omega Seamaster Quartz

·         Tomorrow Never Dies:  Omega Seamaster w/detonator.

·         The World Is Not Enough:  Omega Seamaster w/detonator and laser cutter.

·         Casino Royale:  Omega Seamaster Co-Axial.
                          Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial.

·         Quantum of Solace:  Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial.

·         Skyfall:  Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial.
               Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial w/blue dial.

Thanks to Revolution Magazine for the great Ian Fleming info.

- Scott

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This message has been edited by elliot55 on 2015-01-14 13:14:17 This message has been edited by elliot55 on 2015-01-14 13:15:21

... 6538 and 5510?

... a 5510 and 6538...

You are right - both pieces are very similar.

... since I viewed my first movie around 1964.

Anyway, for what I know Mr. Flemming had a 1016 Rolex Explorer on his wrist, and fans of Bond novels feel that this Explorer and not a Submariner is the watch that Flemming describes in one of the first novels of the series: a ss Rolex watch with big luminous numerals, as being Bond watch. Incidentaly, in that novel Bond uses his watch, reversed on his fist to giive a big punch to an oponent.

it is very probable that Flemming was describing his own favorite timepiece on the wrist of his novel hero.

What we know is as tradition says that lacking of a suitable watch for Sean Connery during the filming of the first movie, one of the producers Albert Broccoli handed the actor his own watch as a loan: one of the first Submariner versions lacking crown guards, but as well says Nicolas, Bond scholars don´t agree exactly which reference it realy was (most probably a big crown variant).

I feel that we will never know the exact reference nor what happened to the watch of those first films, except if Mr. Connery himself could give some light upon this matter.

But it has to be clear that Mr. Flemming´s watch was not a Submariner, but an Explorer.

Best cordial regards, Abel.

This message has been edited by Subexplorer on 2015-01-15 07:39:12 This message has been edited by Subexplorer on 2015-01-15 07:41:19

... input and info.  It's an interesting discussion and the few pictures I've seen of Flemming with his timepiece exposed do seem to illustrate a larger-hand model, like the Explorer.  Good stuff!

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... You would need a detonator and laser cutter?