The Original James Bond Watch Coming to America

[delldeaton]

Following is a press release from the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors ("NAWCC") that I thought might be of interest to you all. The headline is the one provided by the NAWCC.

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COLUMBIA, PA: Ian Fleming’s character James Bond has always been associated with the finest of everything; cars, clothes and, of course, watches. The National Watch & Clock Museum will be presenting an exhibit opening in the summer of 2010 that will explore the subject of the watches of James Bond. The exhibit, Watches, James Bond Watches, will feature the watch that provided the inspiration for James Bond’s wristwatch: Ian Fleming’s own Rolex Explorer. This wristwatch was recently identified by Dell Deaton of www.jamesbondwatches.com, as the original, literary James Bond watch in his recent article for WatchTime magazine. Mr. Deaton is serving as the National Watch & Clock Museum’s Guest Curator for the exhibit; it was through his direct work with Fleming heirs that the display of this important and historical timepiece is possible.

This is the first time that Ian Fleming’s watch has been exhibited in the United States. The watch was recently on display at the Imperial War Museum in London, featured in an exhibit on the life and work of Ian Fleming. Fionn Morgan, Ian Fleming’s stepdaughter, states “Ian would have enjoyed the idea of displaying his own Oyster Perpetual as part of an exhibition of James Bond watches…It is wonderful to see the James Bond legacy presented through the watches that this character has worn. It is further most gratifying to see Ian’s Explorer number 1016 displayed as the origin of this long and continuous chronology. Collectors and the public will learn a lot through this exhibition.”

“The National Watch & Clock Museum is honored to be able to display Mr. Fleming’s watch” Museum Director Noel Poirier comments, “and we are thankful to the Fleming family for allowing this one of a kind object to be a part of the Bond watch exhibit.” The exhibit will also include examples of the watches worn throughout the James Bond novels and motion pictures. Additionally, memorabilia from fans of the character will also be included in the exhibit.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with close to 21,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

Attached images:


Ian Fleming’s personal Rolex 1016 Explorer, which served as his basis for the personal James Bond wristwatch he described in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1963) Credit: Imperial War Museum


Ian Fleming on the set of “Goldfinger,” 1964, wearing his Rolex 1016 Explorer wristwatch Standing next to him are James Bond film producers Harry Saltzman (immediate right) and Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli (far right). Credit: Imperial War Museum and Getty Images


Dell Deaton, the National Watch & Clock Museum’s guest curator for the exhibit, Watches, James Bond Watches.

[ayecarumba]

Thanks Dell! Great info and post as always!

--Paul

[rmcarlton]

Great info. Thanks.

[Ed Rooney]

I thought James Bond wore an Omega.

[Lol-x]

Great information. Looks like the dial in that 1016 has a luminova replacement dial?

Anyway the 1016 is an incredible watch.

[alphamale2012]

James bond was the reason I got my 1st Rolex. Thanks for the info Dell.

[SirLoki]

sounds awesome! would love to make the trip out there to see it

[AndersB]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Looks like the dial in that 1016 has a luminova replacement dial?

I think I've read that the dial was replaced prior to the London exhibition because they didn't want to expose the visitors to the radioactive lume of the original dial. I'm sure Dell will know more about that.

[GEZ7ch]

The 1016 is truely an incredible watch yet for some reason I like the shape of the arabic numerals on the 114270 more than on the 1016...

[Saxon007]

For those that are interested the Smithsonian Channel has a program about Ian Fleming playing this month. I thought it was quite entertaining although it didn't mention his watch. Here is the preview: http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/si...ng/27569023001

[delldeaton]

Yes, the original dial on the Fleming-Bond watch was replaced by Rolex when concern was raised about its display at the Imperial War Museum. Can't be too careful when it comes to Radium, eh?

Conversely, the dial on the Rolex 1016 Explorer shown in the image below is as first delivered.



This particular watch has the further disctinction of having been produced (it is believed) within just a day or two of the Ian Fleming / literary James Bond watch.

[JJ Irani]

Excellent read and some great info there, Dell. Many thanks!!

JJ

[Jimbits76]

Dell

I don't know why but I feel kinda proud for you every time I see that "Original James Bond watch identified by Dell Deaton".

Good on you and thanks for the info and great stuff to read!!!!



J

[SSD]

Yes, good show all around!!!

[Ed Rooney]

Dell looks like he is about to throw down with someone who asked a silly question.

[Idle Swede]

Originally Posted by delldeaton

Yes, the original dial on the Fleming-Bond watch was replaced by Rolex when concern was raised about its display at the Imperial War Museum. Can't be too careful when it comes to Radium, eh?

Conversely, the dial on the Rolex 1016 Explorer shown in the image below is as first delivered.



This particular watch has the further disctinction of having been produced (it is believed) within just a day or two of the Ian Fleming / literary James Bond watch.

Wow, imagine having a watch that was made only a day or two before Flemings watch.

You must be very proud of it?

[damoyorkie]

Great bit of info Dell. I am definitely coming to the museum, when I am over in Pennsylvania from 18th July ! This sort of exhibit just makes it even easier to sell it to my kids.

Thanks again, Dell.

[delldeaton]

*Watch collecting -- or even just watching watches -- that is.

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Dell

I don't know why but I feel kinda proud for you every time I see that "Original James Bond watch identified by Dell Deaton".

Good on you and thanks for the info and great stuff to read!!!!



J

Although I haven't been able to get back here as much lately as I have in the past (been busy, as you can see!), this Forum really is just like coming home for me. As JJ says, the place where my friends are. And, frankly, a really rare place where "real" conversations happen with folks who truly know their stuff, passionately care about it, and enjoy each other.

It's really that "feeling" that motivates what I do. Who wants to be some guy who owns all sorts of watches and never shares 'em? For me, it's not just "discovering" James Bond's Rolex, as WatchTime said, but getting it out there for folks to see and enjoy!

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Dell looks like he is about to throw down with someone who asked a silly question.

Originally Posted by Idle Swede

Wow, imagine having a watch that was made only a day or two before Flemings watch.

You must be very proud of it?

Extremely so.

One thing I'll share with you guys, and I haven't shared anywhere other than to the audience of my NAWCC Annual Convention audience, is this. Recall from my WatchTime, NAWCC Bulletin, and Chronos articles that the Ian Fleming Rolex has a 6-digit serial number. Well, in reviewing Rolex paperwork, I found two different serial number associated with the same watch: The hundreds digit was recorded as two different numbers.

I went with the number that Rolex told me it was for the articles. But when the watch came back from the Imperial War Museum, I had the watch go back to Rolex, where it was reviewed by a number of folks. The reality is that the digit cannot be discerned by physical examination. Period.

So, the watch that I own, shown in the images above and which I've displayed for the NAWCC membership, was likely produced not more than 36 hours apart from the Fleming-Bond watch; and perhaps as few as 7 hours.

[entropydave]

Those classic lines that I share with my AK (which, incidentally, still has a lined-up crown over 18 months on!)

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Great information. Looks like the dial in that 1016 has a luminova replacement dial?

Anyway the 1016 is an incredible watch.

does this give me the opportunity to hijack this thread and remind everyone(again) that if they look in the Meeting Point section they will see that the NAWCC will give us a special guided TRF tour at the York, Pa. June,2010, GTG...this to me from the NAWCC Executive Director, and ......HATS OFF to our very own Dell Deaton!!

(ok, i'm ready for the axe now...please use a sharp one)

[wantonebad]

congrats Dell, its quite a feather in your cap, nice work!!

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

does this give me the opportunity to hijack this thread and remind everyone(again) that if they look in the Meeting Point section they will see that the NAWCC will give us a special guided TRF tour at the York, Pa. June,2010, GTG...this to me from the NAWCC Executive Director, and ......HATS OFF to our very own Dell Deaton!!

(ok, i'm ready for the axe now...please use a sharp one)

No complaint nor perceived hijack as far as I'm concerned.

This was very much a topic of discussion at the Annual Convention last month in Grand Rapids. An announcement was made that the NAWCC would very much like to time the opening of the "Watches, James Bond Watches" exhibit to the first day of the 2010 Annual - which is in the same area. In any discussion where I was asked, I said I was very much in favor of this.

Furthermore, as this is, of course, a year-long exhibition, part of the planning involves periodic events. The rotunda is phenomenal and the theatre is fantastic for both screen and live presentations. I think it would be great to approach the NAWCC folks about a GTG in conjunction with one or more of those, or even as a separate, stand-alone thing.

Thanks for stepping up with this mention, unclesallie.



PS: As I have also otherwise discussed with staff, "dress your wife, girlfriend, significant other, and/or self as a Bond girl" should be very much a part of this as well.

[Trurolexer]

Thanks for sharing, Dell!!! Great info!!!

The only Rolex I never own is Explorer...Now I want one...

[Latrodectus]

Thank you for the info, I will be there!!!

[RolexSoFla]

Great information! Thanks Dell.

[elgatonegro]

Thanks for the great info, Dell.

[Yoda]

Saw this watch in London. Was suprised how much play the bracelet had in it. In addition the watch was placed on it's side in a display case!

[Perdu]

Nice job, Dell.

[delldeaton]

As many of you here know, I've formed a really nice relationship with members of the Ian Fleming family, going back a bit now related to the original Bond Rolex 1016 Explorer. And here on TRF, as much as any place I've been, there's real appreciation for the fact that some of our really greatest watches are truly so because of the touchstones they provide to actual people.

So I thought I'd share the complete text of a formal statement that Ian Fleming's stepdaughter, Fionn Morgan, provided to me for endorsement of the upcoming NAWCC exhibit of the watch covered in this Thread.

"Ian would have enjoyed the idea of displaying his own Oyster Perpetual as part of an exhibition of James Bond watches. He was fascinated by mechanical things and always wanted the best.

"As the fans well-know, Ian Fleming drew from his personal life and tastes when creating the details of Agent 007's personal preferences. This Rolex was Ian's first and only, and important enough for him to have kept to the end. So now visitors can see the particular wristwatch that he 'gave' Bond to wear in the On Her Majesty's Secret Service book.

"I further think that Ian would have been pleased with all the other watches and the creative uses to which they have been put in the movies throughout the years that have followed.

"It is wonderful to see the James Bond legacy presented through the watches that this character has worn. It is further most gratifying to see Ian's Explorer 1016 displayed as the origin of this long and continuous chronology. Collectors and the public will learn a lot through this exhibition."

What an incredibly classy woman!

Some additional thoughts that she shared with me are included (with her permission) on my James Bond Watches website. LINK

[achova]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing with us! First class.