http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/21/james-bond-watch-exhibit-to-showcase-ian-flemings-rolex-explore/ Luxist Comments for James Bond Watch Exhibit to Showcase Ian Fleming's Rolex Explorer http://www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/21/james-bond-watch-exhibit-to-showcase-ian-flemings-rolex-explore/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/21/james-bond-watch-exhibit-to-showcase-ian-flemings-rolex-explore/
The following factual corrections should be made to this as well.

First and most important, the only Rolex owned by Ian Fleming was a model 1016 Explorer, which, of course, did not exist in 1954. In fact, Mr. Fleming's Rolex, which will, indeed, be displayed throughout the June 2010 - May 2011 exhibition, was produced during the fourth quarter of 1960 and acquired by Ian Fleming sometime during or just prior to the period in which he wrote his novel, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," starting in early 1962 (and published the following year).

As we've announced, Mr. Fleming's stepdaughter has generously made arrangements with the National Watch & Clock Museum for the display of this watch here.

Second, no information on any other watch to be display has been released (and I'd know if it had!). So your second paragraph is pure speculation. And, I'd add, be shown quite inaccurate with our next round of announcements. This display of James Bond watches is going to include what I believe will prove the broadest range ever displayed in one place; Rolex Submariners have a place in that history, but so do Breitling, Omega, and Seiko models.

(You have my eMail address with my Luxist registration, so if you'll send me your contact information, I'll be sure you're included directly on future press information distributions.)

And some surprises.

Finally, I'm aware of no 007 story where Ian Fleming wrote, "[Bond] could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex."

On the contrary, in a letter which has survived him, dated June 5, 1958, Mr. Fleming wrote: "I have discussed this with [James Bond] and ... [his] practice, in fact, is to use fairly cheap, expendable wrist watches on expanding metal bracelets which can be slipped forward over the thumb and used in the form of a knuckle-duster, either on the outside or the inside of the hand."

That gives a whole lot of room for a "James Bond choice" in time keepers for the first half of the canon!

Again, thanks for your support in getting the word out!

Dell Deaton
Guest Curator, "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches"
National Watch & Clock Museum, June 2010 - May 2011
http://www.jamesbondwatches.com/index-nawcc.htm]]>Aug 24th 2009 12:10AM