On some reflection, it seems to me that while Bond's Rolex looms in importance here, it is after all a very subtle part of the films. After all in 1961 I doubt more than a small fraction of the movie audiance paid any attention to the watch in "Dr.No", and ditto in "From Russian with Love". A Rolex is never a subject in the dialog - and even in the books is spoken of twice in all of the thrillers - even then it is not described in detail.
Only in "Goldfinger" does Guy Hamilton give the Rolex a close-up, and then it's wearing a rather undistinguished band that doesn't fit.
The use of the Submariner as opposed to any other available Rolex would seem to be a happy accident. It would be nice to find some correspondence from EON to Rolex prehaps asking for a specific watch.
I would bet that Terrence Young had as much to do with the Rolex as anyone. His watch has been seen and identified, unlike Cubby's. Since all film props require backups, the real story could be that Young loaned his watch and that the production team purchased an identical model.
It would seem a simple matter for someone to ask Barbara Broccoli about this and end the speculation.
On some reflection, it seems to me that while Bond's Rolex looms in importance here, it is after all a very subtle part of the films. After all in 1961 I doubt more than a small fraction of the movie audiance paid any attention to the watch in "Dr.No", and ditto in "From Russian with Love". A Rolex is never a subject in the dialog - and even in the books is spoken of twice in all of the thrillers - even then it is not described in detail.
Only in "Goldfinger" does Guy Hamilton give the Rolex a close-up, and then it's wearing a rather undistinguished band that doesn't fit.
The use of the Submariner as opposed to any other available Rolex would seem to be a happy accident. It would be nice to find some correspondence from EON to Rolex prehaps asking for a specific watch.
I would bet that Terrence Young had as much to do with the Rolex as anyone. His watch has been seen and identified, unlike Cubby's. Since all film props require backups, the real story could be that Young loaned his watch and that the production team purchased an identical model.
It would seem a simple matter for someone to ask Barbara Broccoli about this and end the speculation.
Well, remember, Dr. No was made on what was considered a shoe string, even back then. It cost something like 1 million dollars. I don't believe that the budget would have provided for multiple Rolex watches. Dr. No first played at second and third run movie houses.
As for the Terrence Young story, it is no doubt a good story, however I have not found any documented evidence that this was the case. Not saying it can't be the case. When I first wrote my article about the Bond Submariner, I was challenged to provide documented evidence with respect to the Connery Bond Submariner, which is exactly what I did.
When an expert says I "feel" or "believe" so and so, it is tantamount to hearsay which is not evidence. Belief or feeling that something is the case is not proof that it is so.
I also believe the Rolex Submariner is far more recognizable than the gold watch. Even in Dr. No you see far more of it than gold watch.
As for having EON tell us what exact model of Submariner was given to the production, I'm all for it.
Lastly, no one is making a homage of the unspecified gold watch that Connery wore. On the other hand, Mr. Yao at MK II watches is making a homage to the Connery Bond Submariner. That tells us that that the Submariner that Connery wore is far more interesting an sought after.
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.
This is a long shot, but perhaps the information about the Terrence Young Rolex 6536-1 exists on the Criterion lazerdiscs. I know there is another thread about the discs and the fact that there are extras that heretofore have not been reproduced because the content may be divergent with EON. Anyway, just looking for documentation with regard to the Terrence Young Submariner story.
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.
The Royal Navy used a grey NATO G-10 strap, not a two tone strap. Never heard about a two tone strap. The strap Connery wore was most likely a drug store purchase used to ape the military look. That's my theory anyway. Military Submariners with fixed lugs were available from about the mid fifties.
As for the Criterion laserdiscs, apparently, according to another thread, they are available as bootleg DVD's.
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.
What year was the grey/black nylon watchstrap adopted by/for RN Divers?
As far as I know, the RN only ever used a grey nylon strap. The grey/black strap was Bond's strap. RN Rolex divers with fixed lugs were available from approximately the mid 50's. Since you can only fit straps to fixed lug bar watches that suggests that the MOD strap was available from about that time if not earlier.
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.
I was under the misapprehension that the Black and Grey band was the RN/NATO divers watchband, and that Bond's band was either 1) The same band, or 2) A band picked to suggest a RN/NATO divers watchband.
I thought the date these bands were adopted by the RN/NATO divers might "tell the tale" if the adoption date was post "Goldfinger".
Comments
On some reflection, it seems to me that while Bond's Rolex looms in importance here, it is after all a very subtle part of the films. After all in 1961 I doubt more than a small fraction of the movie audiance paid any attention to the watch in "Dr.No", and ditto in "From Russian with Love". A Rolex is never a subject in the dialog - and even in the books is spoken of twice in all of the thrillers - even then it is not described in detail.
Only in "Goldfinger" does Guy Hamilton give the Rolex a close-up, and then it's wearing a rather undistinguished band that doesn't fit.
The use of the Submariner as opposed to any other available Rolex would seem to be a happy accident. It would be nice to find some correspondence from EON to Rolex prehaps asking for a specific watch.
I would bet that Terrence Young had as much to do with the Rolex as anyone. His watch has been seen and identified, unlike Cubby's. Since all film props require backups, the real story could be that Young loaned his watch and that the production team purchased an identical model.
It would seem a simple matter for someone to ask Barbara Broccoli about this and end the speculation.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Smells a bit like elk poo, if you better know this.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Well, remember, Dr. No was made on what was considered a shoe string, even back then. It cost something like 1 million dollars. I don't believe that the budget would have provided for multiple Rolex watches. Dr. No first played at second and third run movie houses.
As for the Terrence Young story, it is no doubt a good story, however I have not found any documented evidence that this was the case. Not saying it can't be the case. When I first wrote my article about the Bond Submariner, I was challenged to provide documented evidence with respect to the Connery Bond Submariner, which is exactly what I did.
When an expert says I "feel" or "believe" so and so, it is tantamount to hearsay which is not evidence. Belief or feeling that something is the case is not proof that it is so.
I also believe the Rolex Submariner is far more recognizable than the gold watch. Even in Dr. No you see far more of it than gold watch.
As for having EON tell us what exact model of Submariner was given to the production, I'm all for it.
Lastly, no one is making a homage of the unspecified gold watch that Connery wore. On the other hand, Mr. Yao at MK II watches is making a homage to the Connery Bond Submariner. That tells us that that the Submariner that Connery wore is far more interesting an sought after.
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.
"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.
Good idea regards the lazer dics. I have seen them at used "record" stores, but where would one get an operating player?
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
As for the Criterion laserdiscs, apparently, according to another thread, they are available as bootleg DVD's.
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.
What year was the grey/black nylon watchstrap adopted by/for RN Divers?
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
As far as I know, the RN only ever used a grey nylon strap. The grey/black strap was Bond's strap. RN Rolex divers with fixed lugs were available from approximately the mid 50's. Since you can only fit straps to fixed lug bar watches that suggests that the MOD strap was available from about that time if not earlier.
"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.
I was under the misapprehension that the Black and Grey band was the RN/NATO divers watchband, and that Bond's band was either 1) The same band, or 2) A band picked to suggest a RN/NATO divers watchband.
I thought the date these bands were adopted by the RN/NATO divers might "tell the tale" if the adoption date was post "Goldfinger".
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond