Each new James Bond opus has its charismatic villains, aesthetic ladies and incredible gadgets. But before his watch joined the list of creations trafficked by Q's services, agent 007 simply wore the watch that Ian Fleming spoke of in his novels: a Rolex. If in Casino Royale (1952), nothing indicates what the British spy wears on his wrist, a watch of the brand with the crown is cited from 1954, in Living and letting die . But it was not until 1963, in the novel In the service of Her Majesty , that Ian Fleming spoke of "an imposing Rolex Oyster Perpetual on a deploying metallic bracelet", endowed with "large luminous figures ...".
When Sean Connery will play James Bond for the first time on the big screen, it is therefore very logically a Rolex that he will wear on his wrist, but a Submariner 6538. This same Submariner, we will also find him on his wrist in Good Kisses from Russia , Goldfinger and Operation Thunder . In this film, with French Claudine Auger as James Bond Girl, it is another watch that will double in horological history, like the first custom watch in the history of cinema, to be fully part of the history of film, and as one of the best deals in the history of the flea market.
Read also: "Dying can wait": a new watch for James Bond 007
Breitling
We spontaneously think of Roger Moore and his many gadgets or Daniel Craig's Omega in terms of watches involved in the action. But the first of all dates back to the fourth film in 007, in 1965. Its name: the Breitling Top Time which in the 1960s, responding "particularly to the needs of young dynamic workers", explained Willy Breitling. "We are in the process of creating a superb collection of ultra-modern chronographs, dominated by a completely different new model: the Top Time." Its original dial reminiscent of a black mask encompassing its two additional counters has earned it the funny nickname "Zorro"! We find it on the new version that Breitling has just released in a limited edition of 2000 copies.
Read also: James Bond, from time to time
Deborah Loth / Breitling
"Breitling aficionados have always loved the Top Time dial," said current Breitling president Georges Kern. When it was released over 50 years ago, it was a watch that appealed to a young audience, eager to enjoy the freedom and spirit of the 1960s. And as amazing as it may seem, after all time, it continues to stand out. ” With a steel case with a diameter of 41 mm, the limited edition 2020 incorporates an automatic movement with 48 hours of power reserve. As the inscription on the dial of this watch specifies, the precision of the Breitling 23 caliber has earned it the “chronometer” certification issued by the COSC.
Read also: James Bond, 007 shades of Swatch
Breitling
In 1965, in Operation Thunder, James Bond saved the world from a nuclear explosion by locating two missiles stolen by Largo, n ° 2 of the Specter, thanks to the Geiger counter integrated in his special Top Time signed Q. A piece that sports a black dial and white sub-dials. But what happened to this 35mm diameter watch mounted in a special, resistant 47mm case, and worn by Sean Connery throughout the film? It simply disappeared from radars and only reappeared a few years ago ... on a second-hand car market in Great Britain. It is likely that this memory of filming Operation Thunder was recovered at the Pinewood studios.
Christie's
Paid for around 30 euros, it will finally be sold at Christie's in June 2013 during a Pop Culture sale. Estimated at 44,000 to 67,000 euros, it will ultimately be awarded to a fan of Agent 007 for the modest sum of… 116,000 euros! It was therefore necessary to wait half a century for it to reappear, and 2020 to see Breitling dedicate a limited edition of 2,000 copies to this classic retro chic.
Breitling Top Time, € 4,850, www.breitling.com
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/PQLA3LJSLI4GET4EDQ5GDQ7JYY.jpg)
