James Bond Watches Blog

Author Jeffery Deaver signed a limited number of Carte Blanche first edition novels with specific reference to James Bond's Rolex, one of which is shown here

Rare among rarities, is this James Bond watch photo.

During the last stop on his 2011 US book tour to promote Carte Blanche for Simon & Schuster, James Bond continuation author Jeffery Deaver signed a limited number of first editions with watch-brand references.

In this case, “To those who enjoy seeing James Bond wear Rolex watches.”

The autograph page on one of those books is background for this photo of a Rolex reference 115200 Oyster Perpetual Date wristwatch — the 34mm, black dial, domed bezel time keeper that James Bond wears as his personal choice in Carte Blanche.

All “James Bond’s Rolex watch” books were signed on June 29, 2011, at McIntyre Books in North Carolina.

As books in print move closer to becoming a dying breed, I lit this photograph with an eye toward emphasizing the feel and texture of the paper. Rather than a high-key look, there’s a bit more sense of blemishes, as well as continue reading…

James Bond Seiko Memory-Bank Calendar watch: Model SFX003, case number M354-5019, as specified for Roger Moore as 007 in Moonraker

This is only the second exclusive James Bond Watch Photos website image for the Moonraker Seiko.

Rest assured: Those of you looking for reference images of the Seiko model SFX003, case number M354-5019 wristwatch worn by Roger Moore as 007 in the 1979 Eon Productions 007 movie, “coffee table book” pictures will be coming out later this year.

Meantime, the context here is James Bond watch in space, earth orbit, with Moonraker shuttle in background.

The image was made with the Seiko M354 suspended in front of a model of the shuttle. After setting up the basic lighting and determining proper exposure, I added a more intense, narrow beam from the right. The idea was to create the impression of rear engines firing. And a bit of flare in the overall result.

Depth of field adjustment on the space shuttle and motion effect were continue reading…

The style, class and fundamental character of Sean Connery's James Bond was established in no small part by details such as the Rolex dress watch he wore in Dr No

Style: Circa 1962.

After locating an independent image of what may well be the Rolex that Albert R Broccoli “tossed” to the Eon Productions art department for Sean Connery to wear for introduction as James Bond in Dr No, I got to thinking about what might be called the “Submariner Sc0toma.”

The word scotoma refers to bias. More particularly, a self-filtering mechanism (of which the individual is very likely unaware); it sorts incoming data. Based on what that person has seen before, and how they’ve interpreted it, they are more receptive to information that confirms what they already believe, and tend not to see otherwise obvious facts that refute their preconceptions.

For example, ask most people who are quite interested in Rolex which model they think is the most popular — based on sales.

“Submariner” will show significantly among responses. That’s certainly what you’ll see on the Internet forums, whether we’re talking watches in general, Rolex-specific, or James Bond.

Fact is, the most popular Rolex is a 28mm model for ladies.

Two weeks ago, I quoted from Men’s Style, by Russell Smith, in what readers of this James Bond Watches Blog now know was setup for the likely “Sylvia Trench” James Bond Rolex watch photo posted here this past Monday.

Since then, I’ve started to spend some time looking for any indication that a gentleman of class or sophistication, dressed otherwise in formal attire, playing cards at a casino in the early 1960s, would — by stretch of imagination or oversight — be shown wearing a diver’s watch.

So far, continue reading…