Connery's Gold Watch
Donald Grant
U.S.A.Posts: 2,251Quartermasters
It has been suggested on another website that the gold watch that Connery is seen to be wearing in Dr. No may have been the Rolex that Broccoli gave to the production because it appears in the first scenes.
The problem with this theory is that in pre-production the Rolex was decided on. Rolex would not give a watch to the production so Broccoli takes his off his wrist and gves it to the art department. The special edition DVD says that the filming of Dr. No began in Jamaica with exteriors. Those exterior Jamaica shots only show the Rolex Submariner on Connery's wrist. So, you would have to conclude that the watch given by Broccoli to the production for Connery to wear was the Rolex Submariner. By the way, Cubby went to Jamaica too.
The scenes at Le Cercle and in Bond's flat (where Bond is seen wearing the gold watch) were not filmed until months later at Pinewood studios. These scenes, although appearing first, were not filmed first.
The other site also claims that the "Legacy" book ID's the gold watch as a Rolex because of a picture showing Connery/Bond looking at his watch while holding Sylvia Trench with the following caption:
"give Bond tailored shirts with turnback cuffs from Turnbull and Asser for a look of class and distinction- accentuated by his Rolex watch".
The problem with this is that the picture fit what the author was trying to convey rather than identifying the watch. How do I know this, well the picture shows French cuffs (evident by the cufflinks) rather than the Turnbull and Asser turnback cuffs that were specially designed for Connery. That detail is wrong. Moreover, there is no winding crown that can be seen at the 3 o'clock position in other pictures from Dr. No. I'm not aware of any Rolex's like this. Perhaps Connery is wearing the watch backwards.
Not saying the gold watch can't be a Rolex, I'm just saying it has not been positively identified as such.
DG
The problem with this theory is that in pre-production the Rolex was decided on. Rolex would not give a watch to the production so Broccoli takes his off his wrist and gves it to the art department. The special edition DVD says that the filming of Dr. No began in Jamaica with exteriors. Those exterior Jamaica shots only show the Rolex Submariner on Connery's wrist. So, you would have to conclude that the watch given by Broccoli to the production for Connery to wear was the Rolex Submariner. By the way, Cubby went to Jamaica too.
The scenes at Le Cercle and in Bond's flat (where Bond is seen wearing the gold watch) were not filmed until months later at Pinewood studios. These scenes, although appearing first, were not filmed first.
The other site also claims that the "Legacy" book ID's the gold watch as a Rolex because of a picture showing Connery/Bond looking at his watch while holding Sylvia Trench with the following caption:
"give Bond tailored shirts with turnback cuffs from Turnbull and Asser for a look of class and distinction- accentuated by his Rolex watch".
The problem with this is that the picture fit what the author was trying to convey rather than identifying the watch. How do I know this, well the picture shows French cuffs (evident by the cufflinks) rather than the Turnbull and Asser turnback cuffs that were specially designed for Connery. That detail is wrong. Moreover, there is no winding crown that can be seen at the 3 o'clock position in other pictures from Dr. No. I'm not aware of any Rolex's like this. Perhaps Connery is wearing the watch backwards.
Not saying the gold watch can't be a Rolex, I'm just saying it has not been positively identified as such.
DG
So, what sharp little eyes you've got...wait till you get to my teeth.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Comments
Precisely the point. I, for one, wanted to know about the Rolex Submariner that Connery wore. Never even noticed the gold watch because, well, it's just not memorable. I'm sure someone can provide you the screen caps on here.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
The resurfacing of this gold watch theory just seems like an attempt to dispute the obvious as DG bruised someones ego many months ago when presenting the known facts. The gold watch could be anything from a Rotary to a Smiths, we'll never know. What we do know is that a Rolex Submariner was used extensively on set, and it was possibly two different models based on the stories heard from both the Brocolli and Young estate. Both of them Submariners.
It is also interesting to not that both the Young estate and the Brocollis do still have in their possession these watches and that both of them are on straps and not the original oyster bracelets. I can definately confirm that the Young watch is fact as I have had the pleasure of seeing it back in 1999.
Having convinced myself that the strap on the Goldfinger watch was an OTC piece that only coincidentially looks like a NATO band, the appearance of the NATO band intrigued me. Especially since I had read the story that DC and Barbara B. had discussed Albert's loan of a Submariner for Dr. No.
So ASP9mm, having seen in person one of the "holy grail" Bod watches - what model was it and what kind of strap did it have?
I have always liked the "coin edge" plainer bezel of the Goldfinger PTS watch and am curious if this is what Young had....
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
The Young Rolex Submariner was a 6536-1 and may or may not have been used in scenes shot in Pinewood. Certainly, all of the Jamaica scenes that show the watch clearly are the 6538 Sub. The only reason I do not dismiss the use of this watch during production was the family history and the existence of the watch itself. It was on a black croc strap which was very very worn. The buckle was a genuine Rolex with coronet on the outer edge. The origin of the strap I cannot tell as it was old.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Someone needs to tell him about Camfam's coming strap.
Could DC's watch be the original Broccoli?
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
I'm sure he knows abuot Camfans strap. And DC's watch is not Brocollis original.
Well I hope that means DC reads ajb007, maybe a few of us could get hired as consultants for the next film ..... oh well I can dream can't I?
8-)
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Glad someone knowledgeable about these things chimed in. Thanks Asp. I get the feeling that the "other party" just wants to support their theory regardless of the truth. Wherever the truth lies with respect to the Connery Rolex, that's what I'm after. I don't have a pet theory. Now if we could just get Barbara and Michael to give us the inside skinny, I'd be a happy man.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
As screencaps are violating copyright, go to 00:07:31 in Dr. No and you can have a glance of a golden dress watch with a dark (brown??) leather bracelet.
As DG logically broke down, the first screen used was obviously the Submariner in the Jamaika scenes.
Agreeing with Asp9mm
Noone really cared about continuity, so, we may see here SCs personal watch or a watch, that came handy together with the tux, no big deal.
I also think, that the entire discussion for sub-important watches in EON movies and sub-sub-sub-important watches is totally loosing track.
The Rolex Submariner became a part of the cinematic personality of James Bond, no matter, who gave the watch to SC and regardless of any other watch, which may be seen in some blinks.
And Rolex is literally approved by Ian Fleming.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Bingo. You hit the nail right on the head Bondtoys. You phrased it eloquently and succinctly.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
The other gun- and watch-loving guy accuses me usually for speaking wookie and nonsense stuff, a relief, that not everybody is like him
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
As far as the silly stuff about the gold watch. Anyone even remotely conversant with film-making would chalk that up to (as already pointed out) one of the less important continuity faults in the film. Assuming of course one believes that the cimematic Bond can only have ONE watch to his name.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
I confess I do like guns and watches along with a whole host of other things too. I suppose I'm just a collector at heart. My wife said it's o.k. as long as I don't start collecting women. Been there and done that too when I was a sailor.
Asp is not that bad, is he. The two of you have spirited repartee, but I've never seen one of you cry to the moderators for help. It's all in jest right?
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Not at all, he clogs up the boards with his flirting and useless diatribe. Someone has to put him in his place and I find myself appointed as that man. He doesn't even have an interest in guns
thanks for your kind words and you see, how serious this thing is.
I am sure, that this all roots with the fact, that he's jealous about that I am much more successful with the ladies here. Infact the last time, he was not even able to score with a ladyboy.....
No big surprise, have you ever wondered, what the 9mm are standing for?
You have no idea how often I have reported him to the mods -infact more or less on a daily basis - but never something happened. I guess, that he gives them some money or so.
The other guy (I forgot his name, it's kiwi2 or kewe or something) is often much nicer but can be pretty rude, too, especially when things come to football.
Guess, that we have to live with this kind of people.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
But back on topic. What I find distressing about the "other party" is that even though I pointed out the obvious flaw in the gold watch theory, an attempt was made to get support for this theory from a recognized Rolex expert. All while not divulging the fact that the Submariner was filmed first in Jamaica.
I will not mention the experts name because I have a great deal of respect for him and it was not his fault. The other party posed the question about the Connery gold watch on a watch forum. That expert believed in the Terrence Young theory, and felt that the gold watch was something Broccoli was more apt to wear and give to the production. The expert also felt the Submariner was something that Terrence Young was more apt to give to the production. It's a good theory because by all accounts Terrence Young was James Bond. The "Legacy" book, however, says the Rolex given to the Dr. No production was Broccoli's.
The other party then goes and posts the experts response about the gold watch theory all over the place having never told the expert the true facts, that the Submariner was filmed first in Jamaica, not the gold watch.
This is not seeking truth. It's trying to find support for your pet theory regardless of the truth. I find it very slimy.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Maybe, you could give our cave-living gun nut some lessons in flirting then.
I have told him several times to meet real people instead of solely surfing gun webpages on the intarweb to find someone, but he's not listening to me.
a hopeless case if you are asking me
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
what bothers me on these pet theories is:
The "Silvia Trench watch" is hyped on the webpage as being the watch in the scenes, that "define Bond". Which conveniently leaves out, that the definition process if there was any (which I don't doubt) was right before the Jamaica scenes and not with scenes, that have been short long time after, when the intentional definition process has been long done.
It is true, that these scenes define Bond in certain ways (the line "my name is.." the lighter, the casino, the flirting) which is all extensively celebrated, but if the scenes would define Bond's watch in any way, we'd have a better look on Bond's watch like in GF or TMWTGG.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Quite right. You never see the face of the gold watch. It's not highlighted in a way that says "a ha", Bond wears a Rolex. It's fine, if one chooses to believe the gold watch that Connery wears is a Rolex, and that further that watch was given to the art department by Broccoli. I draw the line, however, when you try to make others believe this by getting experts to spport it with false information, or, rather, not divulging the whole truth.
Watch experts are watch experts, and although they may have an interest in Bond, they may not delve as deeply into the minutia the way afficianados do.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
If I'm not mistaken, Asp was a sailor too at one time, RN I think. I'm sure he knows how to make it gel with the ladies. Women love a man in a uniform. There are also women who love men who pack heat. If you're packing twice, you've got it made.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Lets not forgot about that time you worked the docks when you were hard up. Hallo sailor indeed
The uniform works a treat DG, and the girls love the smell of cordite in the morning.
Isn't there more the smell of mothsballs?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I've never sniffed a moths balls so i wouldn't know. You're weird :007)
Now that's funny.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.