New image discovered of what's believed to be the original "Sylvia Trench" James Bond Rolex watch worn by Sean Connery in Dr No
Well— “new” to this James Bond Watches Blog, that is.
The image that you’re looking at here (click on it to see higher resolution) actually dates back to the days when Ian Fleming was still writing new books.
By way of background, Sean Connery wore a thin Rolex wristwatch, with light-colored dial and gold-colored case for his most important first introduction as “James Bond” in Dr No.
I’ve uniquely labeled it the “Sylvia Trench” watch to differentiate it from the other watch, a Rolex Submariner (“Miss Taro Rolex”), worn through most of the movie.
Significantly, the Sylvia Trench Rolex appears on Sean Connery’s wrist during Dr No scenes at Le Cercle les Ambassadeurs, then when he meets with M at Universal Exports, and when he’s greeted by Sylvia Trench in James Bond’s flat. Nowhere later than that in the movie.
As I wrote over 4 years ago now, there’s a story cited from James Bond: The Legacy (John Cork and Bruce Scivally, 2002) where the authors reference a production department interview: Producer Albert R Broccoli supposedly provided the Rolex watch from his own wrist for Mr Connery to wear as Agent 007.
I’ve reasonably, convincingly demonstrated that that Rolex watch was the Sylvia Trench dress watch, not the Miss Taro Rolex Submariner.
We can never know for sure, of course. Because, in order for any Cubby Broccoli James Bond Rolex story to be true, there could be no contemporaneous purchase order to verify its acquisition.
Therefore, much as I caution against James Bond watch identification via photograph, there are times such as this when that’s all we’re ever gonna get.
Which brings me to the photo I’m revealing today.
It’s part of a larger image that I will be posting here at a later date. At this point, all I’ll state by way of context is that it meets the major criteria laid out by most credible sources on the Sylvia Trench watch.
It is not a screen capture from the actual movie.
Still, if accepted as the Sylvia Trench Rolex, this photo provides us with previously unavailable details on wristwatch specifications.
A — lug configuration and proportions can be ascertained
B — the watch has no secondary (seconds) dial
C — it is in fact a Rolex wristwatch
It’s particularly satisfying to be able to provide this information in February of 2012. It was exactly 50 years ago this month that scenes where Sean Connery wore the Sylvia Trench James Bond Rolex watch were filmed for Dr No at Pinewood Studios.
You know: Since we’re commemorating 50th anniversaries with James Bond watches and all.
Image courtesy United Press Association
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