Bond does wear a Rolex Oyster Perpetual in the books, but the precise model is never specified.
(Some believe, from Fleming's descriptions that it is an early military model)
Cheers Seahawk! Anyone know which book it makes its first appearance in? I've tried to google it. BTW why a quote from NSNA when it's one of your least faves? )
But I'm confused, as research often causes one to be. On the Rolex website, there are the three types of Rolex: Oyster Perpetual, Professional and Cellini.
The Submariner is under the Oyster Perpetual heading. So does that mean Bond could use the same Rolex for the films as in the books, except it's specified? I thought it was either the Oyster Perpetual OR the Submariner? ?:) But it could be Rolex Oyster Perpetual - Submariner...
"Oyster Perpetual" refers to the watch movement.
Oyster because it is airtight, dustproof & waterproof, Perpetual because it is self-winding.
The Submariner is a specific model of this type of watch (one of many).
The first (experimental prototype) Submariner was manufactured in 1952/3 so is unlikely to be the watch which Bond is wearing in LALD which appears to be the same watch he is wearing in OHMSS.
BTW why a quote from NSNA when it's one of your least faves? ) I love diving & have a weakness for terrible double entendres, so this quote is doubly appealing to me.
I've owned a submariner for sixteen years. It's tough and keeps good time, but needs servicing every four or five years or so otherwise it loses time, I've just had it done, with a few scratches buffed out (took 14 weeks) and cost £400! It's a £3000+ watch to buy now, but I guess something that lasts a lifetime needs money spending on it from time to time. It has made me think though, there are some nice watches out there for the price of a Rolex service.
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. If you enjoy crime, espionage, action and fast-moving thrillers follow this link:
http://www.cwcwatch.com/ This company's products replaced the Submariner as Navy issue upwards of 20 years ago. Their watches are more than fit for purpose, & cost about as much as having your Submariner renovated.
Sory to drag the thread up, but just spotted it! I have owned a Sub 5513 that i bought in 1982 as a young soldier ( bought in the UK) . I paid £333 after a 10% forces discount from Rolex. It has been on my wrist ever since, no diving, but plenty of parachuting , amd lots of travel. I have only had one service after I had accidentally knocked open the crown prior to a river crossing in 1984. The thing took water on-board, but Rolex sorted it out under a service. I have just had the hands replaced, as the Tritium had worn out and was useless at night, and a new bezel. Also waterproof tested. So all in all, has'nt cost me much for 27 years of use! I think it highlights how much Rolex's have gone up, relatively nowadays, i cant see many British Private soldiers being able to afford one, even If they stayed off the lash for a few months{[]
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,504MI6 Agent
Sory to drag the thread up, but just spotted it! I have owned a Sub 5513 that i bought in 1982 as a young soldier ( bought in the UK) . I paid £333 after a 10% forces discount from Rolex. It has been on my wrist ever since, no diving, but plenty of parachuting , amd lots of travel. I have only had one service after I had accidentally knocked open the crown prior to a river crossing in 1984. The thing took water on-board, but Rolex sorted it out under a service. I have just had the hands replaced, as the Tritium had worn out and was useless at night, and a new bezel. Also waterproof tested. So all in all, has'nt cost me much for 27 years of use! I think it highlights how much Rolex's have gone up, relatively nowadays, i cant see many British Private soldiers being able to afford one, even If they stayed off the lash for a few months{[]
You are quite right. My dad was issued a 5517 as standard when he was in the forces. I had a CWC with option to purchase a Sub with discount at a later stage. The only boys that get a Sub/Sea-Dweller for free now are the Regiment and SBS. Explorer II's are the faves of the SRR though. All of these have to be signed for and given back when on leave. The penalties for losing or mislaying them are the same as that for your issued side-arm
You are quite right. My dad was issued a 5517 as standard when he was in the forces. I had a CWC with option to purchase a Sub with discount at a later stage. The only boys that get a Sub/Sea-Dweller for free now are the Regiment and SBS. Explorer II's are the faves of the SRR though. All of these have to be signed for and given back when on leave. The penalties for losing or mislaying them are the same as that for your issued side-arm [/quote]
Thats news to me. SBS had their Subs taken away in around 1983 and were issued with Casio G-shocks. I know as i was on a course with 5 of them at this time and they were chuntering about it. Also had quite a few mates in the SAS ( although the last one in left 2 years ago)and they were never issued with subs. I have always been a watch fan, even as a kid , and always 'clocked' peoples choice of watch. I remember comparing my privately owned Submariner with a Royal Engineer diver from 9 Para Squadron. Remember picking out the Tritium T on the face as the main difference ( was'nt aware of the fixed bars at the time). He commented how expensive mine was, compared to what he would be billed if he lost his issue one. Cannot remember the figure he said, but under £200 from memory, so the MOD probably lost a few. Funny, although the SBS guys complained about loosing their Rolex's, they admitted that the Casio was actually more useful, with the ability to measure dives accurately and for demolition timing etc. Would'nt swap my sub for anything , though.
7829, The British Army used to use Walther PP's, particularly in Northern Ireland . The standard sidearm was the Browning HP 9mm, but obviously the PP is a bit more concealable. The Army has ben using SIG's for a number of years now, although it would'nt suprise me if some PP's are still kicking around.
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,504MI6 Agent
Standard issue in NI while I was touring there was 2X BHP's, 1xPPK, 1xMP5K, HK53 & G3K. One BHP was used as the in car sidearm and had a 20round mag, this was usually kept under the thigh whn riding two up. Never saw any PP's over there or knew of any being issued. The Gazelle pilots had S&W pistols though, usually the 6906 or 3913, which was unusual.
The Subs/Dwellers are not issued to every trooper, but are reserved for specialist divers and clearance teams. There are plenty in QM stores, and even bootnecks can get their hands on them in certain cases. The Regiment has been known to buy in Sub Dates and SD's every now and then, but they certainly are not standard issue. They are easy to turn into currency in emergencies in any country.
Hi asp, suprised you never saw pp in NI. Even Infantry CO's were issued them for covert travel. As to carrying the BHP under the thigh, its interesting with differing SOP's. We always holstered whilst in a vehicle, due to a det operator being stopped at an IVCP and being ordered out of the vehicle, he had weighed up the situation that there were only 2 players there, and got out, one ducked in to check the glove-box for anything of worth, and the det operator shot both terrorists. Also, in an accident, or a ramming, good chance you'll loose your sidearm. All happened a long time ago, and we are all suposed to be friends now!! Its a funny old world.
Anyway, we are drifting from the Rolex theme. I gather you are a Rolex fan, Asp, unfortunatey i only have 1. Very envious of your collection.
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,504MI6 Agent
edited January 2009
The second BHP was used as backup for just a situation you described, quick acquisition in case of a contact. The holstered BHP would have been awkward to acquire when seated, and would be with you if you needed to bug out in an emergency. Not good SOP to get out of your car though, and certainly not Det SOP, what was he thinking? The longs were just not suited for carrying in the footwell, far too conpicuous and awkward. In the case of an accident, the loose BHP would have been the last of our problems, and if lost you would still have the holstered one. And if ramming, then a contact would have been imminent and that BHP would be in my hand damned fast. The standard one was always holstered on your person - always. We had no real contact with infantry really, mostly RUC. And they also carried Walthers. Fun times, stressful, but fun. Funny how your memory plays trcks like that Incidently, it was the Gazelle pilots and their 3913's that led me to the ASP and the ASP 2000 conversion, originally designed for competition which I used to be heavily involved in after leaving NI.
You really only need one Rolex. The collecting bug got me a few years ago though, and I was lucky enough to have my dads old military 5517 given too me. That started it, and the Comex and early Subs soon followed.
As they say, you cant argue tactics. I suppose the operator was thinking it could be a larger scale IVCP with cut-offs etc ( common in South Armagh), he could have shot the first guy in the face as he came up to the car, but got mullered by their FSG as he tried to drive through. He was obviously in a covert car, probably an experienced operator who had been around and could pull off aconvincing accent, could even have been born in NI. If it was a standard IRA checkpoint, stealing cash, passports , diving licences etc,showing a presence, maybe he thought he could bluff it out. He then realised its manned by 2 chancers and makes his move. Who knows, but he pulled it off. Anyway, agreed not a standard SOP, but the fact he was driving one-up,he was a trusted operator and thought on his feet to deal with the situation. Hard to argue with it (unless you are an instructor at a depot).
great stories/experiences guys...appreciated sharing them with us..
I own one Rolex, a 5513 which i acquired in a hurry...
Rolex is a client of mine, and when I first pitched for the business, with my french marketeer, it (stupidly) didn't occur to me to switch/remove my Omega seamaster from my arm..
about 10mins into my presentation, gesticulating (as you do...) the client looked shocked and started to stare at my wrist...
I carried on oblivious (guess it was nerves...) but my marketeer twigged immediately and started to kick me under tha table and i noticed him arrogantly pulling back his cuff and displaying his gold Rolex (well he is french i thought...)
the client listened to my whole presentation, asked no questions, leaving it to his consultant to try to grill me...
then we were "offered to leave..."
once we got out of the room I was made aware of my fau pas....
never the less, we won the account...
I went out and immediately bought my 5513...
3 months into our new relationship I visited for a review...wearing proudly my 5513...
as soon into the meeting as I dare, I slipped my cuff up over my wrist to reveal my submariner "garter"...
my client stared.....
instead of the smile of approval I expected, he looked even more shocked than the first time...
indeed..horrified.....
my marketer sat back in his chair and began to smirk...struggling to hold back a chuckle..
I had to know who....so I leaned back and asked the client, what was wrong with my latest, proud acquisition?...to which he replied
"I see you have a proper watch now Paul, but prey tell me what it hangs from?..."
it appears he'd never seen a military strap before, expecting a metal bracelet...
at this point my marketer finally came to my rescue, and explained that I was a huge James Bond fan, and this was how a genuine Bond watch has to be worn, according to Paul...
he rolled his eyes, sighed in Swiss, and we carried on with the review.
that was 4yrs ago, and since then I have always worn the 5513 to review meetings, and every time I get the same observation;
"ah, I see you are still wearing the bandage Paul"
Are any (or all of these) shown replicas? The reason I ask is that the Rolex case seems too big for Rolex and the logo on the Planet Ocean appears a little too large for that watch..also the date background is white and it should be black on the PO with white numerals...just curious.
Noticed something on the Omega Seamaster as well. There is not any luminous material to the right of the date window...I think the mid size model is the only one to not have that feature. Is that a mid size you got there?
is'nt there 2 sizes of PO? I think the first ones were 42mm or so, the 45mm came later, I think. That would account why the sub and the PO look similar size. Suprised how small the Seamaster looks, but not handled one for a few years. Nice collection, Paul. I have a Speedmaster that i bought about 10 years ago, now that does look big compared to the Sub.
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,504MI6 Agent
edited January 2009
The Sub just looks as large as the PO because it sits next to a mid size Seamaster and is further up the arm. The 5513 has the same case size as the current 14060 Sub.
Just an optical illusion and down to Pauls crappy photography
I didn't mention it in the txt cos it doesn't matter, I use it when displaying costumes (out on the porch....now that is an old joke from a previous thread )
No both the Rolex and the seam are genuine (cards, certificates, nos etc...)
but yes the seam is a midsize...
and I fear I owed that to ASP, having criticised his box brownie in previous episodes of threads...
but to be honest I coudn't be r'sed to take another pic just of the rolex and seam on their own...
I can't remember why I took the pic, but it was used on a previous thread, and the times were significant, though I can't remember why ;%
thx Brix, hardly a collection, I'm not really into watches, as you can see my arm isn't long enough to wear more than one at a time...
ah, I remember I think...It was to show the straps rather than the watches I think...a sort of strap-ography...
Comments
Cheers Seahawk! Anyone know which book it makes its first appearance in? I've tried to google it. BTW why a quote from NSNA when it's one of your least faves?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
"Bond looked at the Rolex watch on his wrist, it was three minutes past eleven."
Good stuff!
-{
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
But I'm confused, as research often causes one to be. On the Rolex website, there are the three types of Rolex: Oyster Perpetual, Professional and Cellini.
The Submariner is under the Oyster Perpetual heading. So does that mean Bond could use the same Rolex for the films as in the books, except it's specified? I thought it was either the Oyster Perpetual OR the Submariner? ?:) But it could be Rolex Oyster Perpetual - Submariner...
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Oyster because it is airtight, dustproof & waterproof, Perpetual because it is self-winding.
The Submariner is a specific model of this type of watch (one of many).
The first (experimental prototype) Submariner was manufactured in 1952/3 so is unlikely to be the watch which Bond is wearing in LALD which appears to be the same watch he is wearing in OHMSS.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
http://apbateman.com
http://apbateman.com
Some way down the page:
http://jet2mag.com/2008/12/01/not-just-a-pretty-face/
Sorry I couldn't include the other quotes. Quotes were apportioned according to the highest bidder "And I found the Lady's figure hard to match..."
Oh alright, there just wasn't room.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Thanks NP ... its finally arrived ... my fifteen minutes of fame ;%
Nice article.I will pass it on to fellow Rolex nerds.
You are quite right. My dad was issued a 5517 as standard when he was in the forces. I had a CWC with option to purchase a Sub with discount at a later stage. The only boys that get a Sub/Sea-Dweller for free now are the Regiment and SBS. Explorer II's are the faves of the SRR though. All of these have to be signed for and given back when on leave. The penalties for losing or mislaying them are the same as that for your issued side-arm
Thats news to me. SBS had their Subs taken away in around 1983 and were issued with Casio G-shocks. I know as i was on a course with 5 of them at this time and they were chuntering about it. Also had quite a few mates in the SAS ( although the last one in left 2 years ago)and they were never issued with subs. I have always been a watch fan, even as a kid , and always 'clocked' peoples choice of watch. I remember comparing my privately owned Submariner with a Royal Engineer diver from 9 Para Squadron. Remember picking out the Tritium T on the face as the main difference ( was'nt aware of the fixed bars at the time). He commented how expensive mine was, compared to what he would be billed if he lost his issue one. Cannot remember the figure he said, but under £200 from memory, so the MOD probably lost a few. Funny, although the SBS guys complained about loosing their Rolex's, they admitted that the Casio was actually more useful, with the ability to measure dives accurately and for demolition timing etc. Would'nt swap my sub for anything , though.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
The Subs/Dwellers are not issued to every trooper, but are reserved for specialist divers and clearance teams. There are plenty in QM stores, and even bootnecks can get their hands on them in certain cases. The Regiment has been known to buy in Sub Dates and SD's every now and then, but they certainly are not standard issue. They are easy to turn into currency in emergencies in any country.
Anyway, we are drifting from the Rolex theme. I gather you are a Rolex fan, Asp, unfortunatey i only have 1. Very envious of your collection.
You really only need one Rolex. The collecting bug got me a few years ago though, and I was lucky enough to have my dads old military 5517 given too me. That started it, and the Comex and early Subs soon followed.
I own one Rolex, a 5513 which i acquired in a hurry...
Rolex is a client of mine, and when I first pitched for the business, with my french marketeer, it (stupidly) didn't occur to me to switch/remove my Omega seamaster from my arm..
about 10mins into my presentation, gesticulating (as you do...) the client looked shocked and started to stare at my wrist...
I carried on oblivious (guess it was nerves...) but my marketeer twigged immediately and started to kick me under tha table and i noticed him arrogantly pulling back his cuff and displaying his gold Rolex (well he is french i thought...)
the client listened to my whole presentation, asked no questions, leaving it to his consultant to try to grill me...
then we were "offered to leave..."
once we got out of the room I was made aware of my fau pas....
never the less, we won the account...
I went out and immediately bought my 5513...
3 months into our new relationship I visited for a review...wearing proudly my 5513...
as soon into the meeting as I dare, I slipped my cuff up over my wrist to reveal my submariner "garter"...
my client stared.....
instead of the smile of approval I expected, he looked even more shocked than the first time...
indeed..horrified.....
my marketer sat back in his chair and began to smirk...struggling to hold back a chuckle..
I had to know who....so I leaned back and asked the client, what was wrong with my latest, proud acquisition?...to which he replied
"I see you have a proper watch now Paul, but prey tell me what it hangs from?..."
it appears he'd never seen a military strap before, expecting a metal bracelet...
at this point my marketer finally came to my rescue, and explained that I was a huge James Bond fan, and this was how a genuine Bond watch has to be worn, according to Paul...
he rolled his eyes, sighed in Swiss, and we carried on with the review.
that was 4yrs ago, and since then I have always worn the 5513 to review meetings, and every time I get the same observation;
"ah, I see you are still wearing the bandage Paul"
Great photo. The 5513 looks quite large though. I don't own a Rolex but I thought they were about 40mm compared to the Omegas pictured at 42 and 45.5.
In this photo the Rolex looks about as big as the 45.5 Omega Planet Ocean.
Optical illusion, perhaps?
now u hv me wondering..
anyone else watch experts help?..
have to say, I'm far from a watch expert, and am alweays in awe of DG, ET AL when it comes to watches....
ps, i hope the story wasn't too long and boring....you had to be there i guess...
Are any (or all of these) shown replicas? The reason I ask is that the Rolex case seems too big for Rolex and the logo on the Planet Ocean appears a little too large for that watch..also the date background is white and it should be black on the PO with white numerals...just curious.
Noticed something on the Omega Seamaster as well. There is not any luminous material to the right of the date window...I think the mid size model is the only one to not have that feature. Is that a mid size you got there?
Just an optical illusion and down to Pauls crappy photography
What is the point of having so many fine watches, but not knowing how to set the time?
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
what sharp eyes you have...
yes the PO is a little, let's say, optical..
I didn't mention it in the txt cos it doesn't matter, I use it when displaying costumes (out on the porch....now that is an old joke from a previous thread
No both the Rolex and the seam are genuine (cards, certificates, nos etc...)
but yes the seam is a midsize...
and I fear I owed that to ASP, having criticised his box brownie in previous episodes of threads...
but to be honest I coudn't be r'sed to take another pic just of the rolex and seam on their own...
I can't remember why I took the pic, but it was used on a previous thread, and the times were significant, though I can't remember why ;%
thx Brix, hardly a collection, I'm not really into watches, as you can see my arm isn't long enough to wear more than one at a time...
ah, I remember I think...It was to show the straps rather than the watches I think...a sort of strap-ography...