Commander Bonds correct watch of the 60's
Bond44
Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
Having finally picked up a Seamaster 300 I can say that as an Officer in the RN this should have been his true wrist accessory in the early films of the 60's this was the issue watch of the time (even though his most recent incarnation saw him in the later Omega PO thanks to service in the SBS if Omega is to be believed)
You can see the similarities
Enjoy
You can see the similarities
Enjoy
My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
Comments
James Bond has evolved over the years, and so has his background. What has been a constant in the books and movies over the decades is that, like his creator Ian Fleming who worked for naval intelligence, Bond once served in a branch of the Royal Navy. He is, after all, Commander Bond, which is not an army ranking. His previous incarnations were attached to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (which is not on active service); however, Daniel Craig’s grittier version of the spy demanded a more robust past. So for Casino Royale, the writers created a new ‘bible’ for Bond, which had him working for Naval Intelligence in the submarine service aboard HMS Turbulent.
Feeling his talents were not sufficiently exploited, Bond volunteered for the Special Boat Service, the naval equivalent of SAS that was formed in 1940. With the SBS he saw covert service in Iraq, Somalia, Iran, Libya and active service in Bosnia. He was subsequently recruited by the Royal Navy’s Defence Intelligence Group and, wanting a more active role in defending the realm, applied to and was accepted by MI6.
The Special Forces training that stands him in such good stead as a secret agent – close combat, survival in hostile environments, resistance to interrogation – comes from his days at SBS.
The purpose of creating such a detailed history, from the writers’ point of view, is that it fleshes out the character. Little or none of it may appear on screen, but when a scene is called for where Bond has to swim a long distance underwater or parachute from a plane, the screenwriter will know it isn’t a stretch for Bond, because it states in the 'bible' that he received this special training in the past.
The SBS backstory makes particularly perfect sense for the modern Bond because it would be in that group that he would have worn and grown attached to his OMEGA watches.
Much like my own story really - well I have the PO as well at least so have both eras covered :-)
Cheers
Thanks TP yes just back from a service and looking like new!
Cheers :007)
It wouldn't have been issued to him as an officer though. It was only issued to divers at that time. And Rolex were also issuing the Sub to the RN too. And officers did get those (I have my dads), although they had to subsidise the cost. It wasn't general issue to them as such.
Omega offered serving SBS the opportunity to buy specially monikered PO's. Not issue. At the same time Brietling did it for the SAS and Rolex issued an Exp II with a special embossed back for members of the SRR. The SRR Exp II was the coolest.
Yeah this was the topic of great debate recently but that's another story :007)
You have the Sub nice piece!
Actually one correction Omega did the full raft of UKSF watches as well see below
SAS
UKSF Sig Sdn
And of course SBS
Trust the SRR to go it alone with Rolex!
Personally based on cost alone I prefer the SM300 issued to both British Army and SBS at the time and Commander Bond was only RNR after all
Each to his own
Cheers :007)
Bond was RNR when in the service of Six. But he was no doubt full time before he left the Senior Service. I was in the RN until 97 and then left and became RNR. In the book OHMSS he did consider asking Q-Branch to get him a new Rolex after he bust his, so maybe their QM stores had a few surplus watches. It might make sense for missions involving underwater espionage and if that is the case, as it seems, then they would have had Seamasters too.
I really like the mil spec Seamaster. Beautiful watches.
You are probably right and let's face it as RNR he would have had two jobs so could probably afford a Rolex Sub as well with his other job in the City!
My preference is only driven by being tight and by not being a member of the 'Senior Service' just the larger one hence the recent debate between Squaddies, Matelots, Bootnecks and Crabs!
Cheers :007)
PIIIIIICS, please!
And the name is BrEItling- bonehead!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Positively shocking...
Anyone noticed the standerd ov grammer on 'ere is disengeneratin sharply.?
There's a typo in every 141st word on here....
Then again, perhaps some have such dull lives that all they can find to contribute is snidey quifs about typos they've spotted...
:v
Watch know-nothings like him usually spell Breitling that way
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!