TeeJay

I'd guess given he didn't have it at the end of the novel, he must have discarded it after... Oh well, it was just a curiousity Ahh, the Broccoli Classic An understandable choice I have to admit, I can't remember any references in them, but, it was well over a decade since I read them... I must refresh my memory I have to admit, I rather liked Thunderball, but not as much some of the others. I think it was more a case of I liked 'bits' of the movie (Claudine Auger ) but not the overall movie

And the only Rolex which can only be described thus, is the 1954 pre-Submariner As before, given Fleming's use of brand names, I find it hard to see why he would choose to not use the Explorer name for the watch, if that was indeed what he intended. From a purely lazy point, it would save typing two words each time As I mentioned to Freddy, I think Fleming would have made mention of the bezel, if it was a more crucial plot point, but, in that instance, it would simply have slowed the pace, and had he written "the crystal disintegrated against the guard's face, and the rotating bezel flew off the watch into the darkness of the corridor." it would have added an unnecessary element of comedy... I would not view the omission of mention of the bezel as an indicator of it being an Explorer, for the above reason of brand-name dropping As before, I don't doubt the source or the friend's account, I simply wonder if it could have been an issue which, as Obi-Wan said, depends on one's point of view... I just think, personally, that there is more evidence to support it having been written as a pre-Submariner, rather than an Explorer, even if the Explorer was Fleming's original intent, which may or may not have changed during the writing process

Jim, let me begin by apologising for not responding to your message earlier... Do you mean a 20mm strap for a regular Seamaster, or a 20mm strap for a Planet Ocean? If you mean for a Planet Ocean, there is not a rep strap made for the Planet Ocean in 20mm, so the options are either fitting a 20mm SMP strap (as is mostly factory installed) or try force-fitting a 22mm rep strap. If you mean for a regular Seamaster, then a 20mm strap is available from here, as well as many other dealers

My favorite book is From Russia with Love, but OHMSS is my favorite of the movies. I didn't think Lazenby was so bad in the role, and hell, anything with Diana Rigg in it will always get a thumbs up from me There's certainly some interesting points there, but there are some things which prevent me from agreeing with them with regards to the Bond watch... First off, I would quite agree with you when you say that most gen owners have little to no idea about the watches, and yes, Fleming likely did look to his own wrist as inspiration. However, as I mentioned before, Fleming frequently went into detail with his brand-name dropping, and I think that had he meant Rolex Explorer, he would have written "Rolex Explorer", rather than "Rolex Oyster Perpetual". To me, it's easier to 'think backwards', and think that rather than simply describing the watch, he was in fact identifying it, even though that identification sounds like a description, because of Rolex branding... I say that, because it is more 'in keeping' with Fleming's writing to believe that that was an identification rather than a description, rather than believe that he put in a description rather than a brand-name drop, when in all the other instances, he would brand-name drop... Secondly, while I would agree that the bezel would have been a very unique feature, and most definitely would have been mentioned if it was plot relevant, but, it would not really have been a relevant detail at that point in the story... Bond was not using his watch as a timer (when it certainly would have made sense to mention the rotating bezel) but was using it purely as a weapon... I forget if Bond pocketed the watch after taking out the guard, or if he ditched it, (Miguel, could you check that out please ) but, given the crystal disintegrated, I doubt he put it back on his wrist for time-keeping Infact, the line Miguel posted, about how Bond went to check his watch at the debrief, forgetting he was not wearing one, and realized he would have to get a replacement, (on expenses, of course ) lends support to the theory that he simply discarded it after using it as a weapon, so no real need to reset the bezel under those circumstances... Thirdly, having written a bit myself, I know how much a final manuscript can change from original intentions and notes, and sometimes quite dramatically. As mentioned, Fleming might have initially said to his friend that he was going to write Bond having an Explorer, or that he was thinking about writing Bond having an Explorer, when discussing his plans for the novel, but possibly changed his mind during the writing process... I acknowledge that that's something we'll never know for sure, but, as I mentioned with the Obi-Wan quote: A person's point of view (as to what they knew or were told) could still make the comment true to them, even if the facts themselves, unbeknownst to them, had altered after the original conversation. Thanks for the interesting points to consider though, at the end of the day, it's certainly a fun topic to mull over

I'm sure you'll get the right look in the end I haven't tried a vintaging project yet, but I hope to get round to one one day Thanks, and thanks for posting the quotes, it certainly helped clarify my theory

I just realized, that specifies Bond wearing his watch on his right wrist, rather than his left, as has always been the portrayal in the movies

I wondered if it might've been a daily beater I think if I was going to get one, I'd definitely want the pre-Submariner dial. Maybe one day...

I'd almost be tempted to get one, but I don't think the actual dial size is any larger, just the case, hence the chunky rehaut to 'fill the gap', so visibility wise, I don't think I'd be gaining anything, but I do like the new clasp... Do you think the end links could be filed down to fit 20mm lugs?

Absolutely, definitely an early Sub. My hunch is the 1954 pre-Sub, simply because it was not named as a Sub, and I think if it had been named a Sub, I believe that's what Fleming would have written. I had asked for a 3-6-9 dial when Silix did the run on vintage Subs, but wound up with the dateless 'baton marker' dial instead Oh well, maybe for a future project or purchase That's an awesome watch, by the way, I trust it gets plenty of wrist time

Precisely The Explorer is a land-based watch, the emerging Submariner, water-based. I don't deny that Fleming most likely considered the Explorer initially, but I suspect he then changed his mind while writing, for the pre-Submariner, and simply never told his friend. And of course, if his friend wasn't a watch enthusiast, the minor detail of the dial printing would probably never have occurred to them I just think the description is too close to the pre-Submariner to have been refering to the Explorer, as with everything else, when Fleming intended to 'brand-name drop', he did. So I think Fleming had intended it to have been a specific naming of the watch and, as the only name/print on the pre-Submariner is 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual', that's precisely what he wrote

No problem, amigo, good to see you back here Thanks for finding the quotes, I was positive they were in OHMSS I believe that this would have been the watch in question. The 1954 Pre-Submariner. As mentioned above, the only print on the dial is "Rolex Oyster Perpetual", and indeed, "Big phosphorus numerals" (rather than 'large, luminous numerals' as I mis-remembered it ) As above, I feel that had Fleming been refering to any other model of Rolex, he would have named it, rather than going with what could be admitedly be mistaken as a simple description of the watch, but which I believe to be, based on the history of the Submariner's evolution, a specific identification of a specific model of watch As you say, Bond was naval trained, so a diver's watch would make sense Of course, only the man himself will know the true answer, but that doesn't take away from the fun of discussing the subject

Indeed, the Breitling Cosmonaute

Miguel, I haven't seen you posting in ages, welcome back, amigo, I hope life has been treating you well With regards the highlighted text, if you look back a bit, to where Bond is planning his escape in his room, he assesses the tools at his disposal, and I am sure the watch is described as a 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual on an expanding steel bracelet'. I haven't got a copy of the novel I can lay my hands on, but I am convinced that that is the description given of the watch, and at another point, is the comment about the 'large, luminous numerals'... I don't have a perfect eidetic memory, but some things, I do remember very precisely, and I'm sure that those descriptions are in OHMSS rather than one of the other novels

Awesome shots and watch I just wish the lug width was 20mm so the bracelet would go on other Subs Wear it well

Just to illustrate the point, here're the two watches in question: As mentioned above, in OHMSS, Fleming at one point, wrote "Rolex oyster perpetual", and another, "Large, luminous numerals". Now, someone might argue that he was describing the watch in terms of it's brand, case and movement. However, as I mentioned above, Fleming was a chronic 'brand-name dropper'. Every minute aspect of James Bond's tastes, was always described in 'brand-name' terms. Thus, I do not believe that the above quote is a description, but a brand identification. One of those watches, has, "Rolex Oyster Perpetual" on the dial, and nothing else, ergo, it is, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, not, a Rolex Submariner. When that watch was made, there was no such thing as a 'Rolex Submariner'... Again, that's just my own personal theory, and people are free to agree or disagree with me, but I believe that the evidence is there to support it. As above, it may have been that Fleming initially planned to have Bond wear an Explorer I, but simply changed his mind while writing, to give Bond a watch more in keeping with his naval experiences, and, for someone who drops brand names on all other aspects of Bond's tastes, it would be inconsistent to simply describe something, when it is branded, and identifiable by that brand name... That's not to say the friend is wrong, as that might have been all he had originally been told, so from his perspective, that would have been true to him...

I would disagree with that friend's interperetation. In the novelisation of OHMSS, Fleming described Bond's watch as a 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual', with 'Large, luminous numerals'. Now, while that description could apply to the Explorer I, I disagree, for this reason: Fleming went into great detail describing Bond's passions. His cigarettes with the gold stripes, the Red Stripes he drank with Scaramanga in Jamaica, the car he not only drove, but also customized, voiding the manufacturer's warranty (I forget the model at the moment) so bearing that tendency in mind, if he had wanted to say Bond wore an Explorer I, I think he would have simply said, "James Bond looked down at the Rolex Explorer, the large, luminous numerals letting him know-" Now, before the Submariner was actually called the Submariner, there was a 'pre-Submariner', which was not identified thus on the dial. The dial did not have the currently recognized 'dots and sticks', but luminous numerals, and, the only printing on the dial, was 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual'. The Explorers of the era, were already branded as Explorers. It's an interesting theory. It might well have been that Fleming's first intention was for it to be an Explorer, but he simply changed his mind while writing. As above, given his attention to detail of other things, I don't believe that he would miss the opportunity to do likewise with another thing, and I believe that the pre-Submariner fits the written description better, than the Explorers of the day

I hear what you're saying, my brother, and I know what you mean, all my thoughts and efforts have been focussed on wearing an outfit which will make me look a presentable groom for my bride. Due to the hairstyle, I needed to know what I was wearing would look okay, and I felt that Morning Suits, cravats, etc, wouldn't look right, without the 'business hair'/short back and sides to go with it... As I was explaining to Nikki6 in PM, clothes are my 'artistic blindspot'. I simply can't choose clothes to make an outfit to look good. Every item of clothing I own, every combination I wear, I lift right out of film/TV, as I have more faith in the wardrobe departments, than I do in my own judgement in that area This is the look I'm going for, (not that I'll be garroting anyone on the day )and I think the shirt and tie I've found, are reasonably close I guess my outfit would be considered 'smart/professional', rather than 'upscale/formal'. The shirt doesn't have French cuffs, but, I can wear cufflinks with it (and have a nice set I can wear)

I have to admit, I've never really been one for tie-related jewellery... To be honest, I'm pretty 'take the or leave them' when it comes to cuff-links too You can certainly say that again, bro

Cool I'll PM you the site address. Absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with me, just something I happened to stumble across on another forum

Such as the Rolex coronet, or the Quantum of Solace logo. Would people be interested in having such a thing etched into their crystals? Would it be a mod people would be interested in having done? I've just come across a potential source to offer laser etching, but wondered if anyone would actually be interested in such services, before I get this person's hopes up with the promise of potential clients Yay? Nay?

Ahh, but there're two distinct strains... One where the sufferer is compelled to wear a Planet Ocean, the other, is when a watch wants to be a Planet Ocean I was referring to the latter strain, rather than the former All joking aside, it's a gorgeous watch

Of course not [Edit to add] The previous post I made, which has been deleted, was not meant as an attack on anyone, just intended as a helpful look into the realms of a private business owner's approach to enquiry compared to consultation, as I think the two are distinctly different, and even the most well intentioned folks might not always realize that. Sorry if it was felt I was treading on anyone's toes, that was the last thing on my mind

GAHHH Planet Oceanitis!!!

Yes, the bezel insert is off. With the right tools, it will take you about ten minutes (if that) to fix it. PM me if you need the instructions (which are posted in the Omega Section) It is certainly not worth the hassle of sending the watch back to China for such an insignificant issue (which can happen in gens as well) Bro, please tell me this is a sarcastic comment.

Thanks, bro I'll try and get a better shot later on to show the knot better. I had planned on going with the Full Windsor, but it just didn't look as good with the shirt as the Shelby, so that's the choice for me Indeed, Nikki6 very generously offered to loan me a watch, and then upgraded his offer by making it a wedding present, so watch crisis over You weren't wrong, bro It blows the other tie clear out of the water