James Bond Watches Blog

"Ian Fleming's Own James Bond Watch" display runs through this summer at the National Watch & Clock Museum, Columbia, PA

On May 4, 2011, the personal Rolex Explorer wristwatch of James Bond author Ian Fleming got its own display on the main exhibit floor of the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania.

This followed its year-long placement as signature piece in the “Bond Watches, James Bond Watches” special exhibit there.

“Ian Fleming’s Own James Bond Watch,” along with two other 007-associated models, by Omega and Seiko, runs through this summer.

Then, starting in August 2012, Ian Fleming’s Rolex Explorer will join George Washington’s pocket watch and a variety of other historical timepieces as part of a new special exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum, titled, “Enlisting Time” (sponsored by Gallet).

Although “Ian Fleming’s Own James Bond Watch” was setup barely a year ago, it’s own history has evolved with ongoing updates to the James Bond legacy. For example, when continue reading…

Amazingly, the first definitive identification of all James Bond watch models supplied to the movies by Seiko UK was not made until this last decade of 007 history

Although Seiko hasn’t been a James Bond watch product placement partner in the movies since the mid-1980s, the last ten years have seen 007 history made for this great brand as well.

We’re talking about first-ever definitive identification of all models provided to Eon Productions by Seiko UK.

In 2009, I was given unprecedented access to personnel and documentation as part of my own original research into the question. Mark Mills was my lead contact — and the man who’d worked directly with the filmmakers, from 1977 onward. It was one of his very first assignments as a Seiko employee.

As with so many things with the world of James Bond watches, there’s all that goes into developing “the list,” and then there are the multitude of questions that go into validating it.

For example, the James Bond Seiko watches give no indication of model numbers on backs, dials, or anywhere else.

And the 8-digit numbers by which these watches are commonly referenced on the Internet, case numbers, sometimes refer to multiple configurations. So, part of my work to truly empower James Bond watch collectors interested in Seiko was to first explain how the pieces they wanted were actually differentiated.

Just over a year ago, then, I worked with Jack Forster and his great colleagues at Revolution magazine to deliver the first-ever complete history of James Bond watches from Seiko UK. (Although I still prefer the print version, you can read it here online.)

Additionally, continue reading…

Swatch James Bond watches leather briefcase, 2002 Fall/Winter collection

This week, we’re taking a look at a very nice range of licensed James Bond watches currently available on eBay.

As before, an opening disclaimer:

These references are presented as-is, where-is.

I am not authenticating anything that’s being offered, not vouching for sellers, and not suggesting current or ultimate sales prices reflect future value.

Fossil Deluxe Limited Edition 007 watch

Although all packaging and pieces are included with this auction, several aspects of it are in a bit rougher shape than we’d like to see for a Fossil-Bond collectible. See item number 230649488987 on eBay.

Gilbert James Bond Spy Watch

Item number 120824485534 is the wristwatch version offered by Gilbert that was without embossed logo.

MGM “shutter” watch

These don’t continue reading…