James Bond Watches Blog

Last week we talked price history on a James Bond watch model released new 10 years ago.

Today we’re gonna go back to the very first James Bond watch, dated 50 years ago — and worn by 007 creator Ian Fleming.

Like so many Rolex references, not all 1016 Explorer watches are the same. When it comes to the original literary James Bond watch, one of the key distinguishing features is the radium-226 dial. This was provided for only the first few years. On top of that, a great many of them were switched out in favor of those featuring safer paints and sometimes just for perceived better aesthetics.

The year it was revealed through my February 2008 WatchTime article exactly what watch Ian Fleming had specified for his literary James Bond character, the largest number of Rolex 1016 Explorer timekeepers I’ve seen since was sold (see James Bond Watches Price Guide 2011).

Average price: $4,800 US.

In 2010, James Bond Rolex 1016 Explorer pricing had jumped to just under $6,000 and had become more scarce.

Last year, these watches were selling for well-over $7,300 and at approximately the same volume.

I can’t establish cause-and-effect between continue reading…

Photo Set #3: Rolex 6238 Chronograph, serial number 1206613 (same as reported by Christie's for James Bond watch in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service")

Not including the original from the 2003 Christie’s auction, that is.

To recap: This past Thanksgiving Day weekend, a credible source appeared on Twitter in response to a post made by Hodinkee about its report that Matthew Bain, Inc., had purchased and now continues to own the screen-worn James Bond Rolex 6238 Chronograph from the movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Eon Productions, 1969).

That story, “So— is it ‘the’ George Lazenby James Bond Chronograph, or not?” appeared on this James Bond Watches Blog on November 28, 2011.

You can also read about my own follow-up to the Hodinkee story, including reports from my own interview with Matt Bain, posted here on September 29, 2010.

As part of that, Mr Bain kindly provided me with high-resolution photographs of this Rolex 6238 pre-Daytona Chronograph. Those half-dozen-plus images can be found here on the September 29, 2010, post. Let’s call this “Photo Set #1.”

Then, as the current controversy broke, I received a photograph said to be of the Rolex 6238 sold by Christie’s on December 16, 2003, via Sale number 9771, Lot 164. That photo was published here on this James Bond Watches Blog on December 16, 2003. It was taken by a customer of the “euro-collector” shortly after the Christie’s sale. Recall that Christie’s listed its case number (serial number) as 1206613.

Label this: “Photo Set #2.”

Assuming both claims are true— the Christie’s watch would have to have been sold first to the euro-collector. Then the euro-collector would have to have continue reading…

Rolex 1016 Explorer James Bond / Ian Fleming watch model, dial close-up

Although Rolex made its reference 1016 Explorer I model for many years, only a few were similar to what Ian Fleming wore — and the example upon which he based his original, literary James Bond watch.

Item number 230718585924, currently available for auction on eBay, is one that meets that criteria.

Radium dial intact.

Riveted bracelet, with proper end links.

In the time since this Rolex Explorer 1016 first came up as a listing, I’ve been in frequent contact with the seller. Beyond the auction itself, he has generously provided the images that appear with this James Bond Watches Blog post in support of current and future collectors.

This watch, with serial number 516,723, dates to the second quarter of 1960 (additionally see caseback images, below). That means it was produced less than a year before the Ian Fleming watch. Recall that the Fleming-Bond watch evidences either case number 596,351 or 596,851.

It’s been speculated that this particular iteration of the Rolex 1016, dating to turn of the decade, was moving through official jewelers at a time of increasing sensitivity to dangers associated with the use of radium for wristwatch luminescence. Fearful customers and assertive store owners pressed to have these dials replaced. And they did.

That’s part of the reason why continue reading…