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007

Daniel Craig Prefers Rolex

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style


Omega may now be the official watch of the James Bond films, but offscreen, nouveau 007 Daniel Craig is a diehard Rolex fan. In the original books, Bond creator Ian Fleming wrote that "[Bond] could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex." In the early Bond films, Sean Connery sported a Rolex Submariner, and Craig has said in interviews that he favors the identical model. Over at the Rolex Blog, Jake Ehrlich has done some impressive sleuthing into the James Bond / Craig / Rolex connection, examining quotes, photos and other clues.

In a 7-part series of posts, he determined that Craig usually wears a Rolex Submariner on a NATO spec, striped nylon strap (sold as the "James Bond" model). It is in fact not exactly the same as the one Connery sported in Goldfinger, as his was on slightly different regimental stripe strap. Most recently, Craig has been spotted wearing an understated stainless steel Oyster Perpetual (above), so he obviously has more than one Rolex in his arsenal.

Brioni to Sell a 25% Stake

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

Classic luxury Italian fashion brand Brioni, best known for outfitting Pierce Brosnan during his tenure as James Bond (right), is looking to sell a 25% stake in the business. "This is a family company. We need to think about the future and ways to develop the brand," Brioni CEO Antonella De Simone tells WWD.

The company, founded in Rome in 1945 and named after a resort on the Adriatic Sea, makes ready-to-wear and bespoke men's suits costing from $6,000 - $36,000, and has a women's line as well. Some of its luster may have been lost when James Bond switched to Tom Ford, but the brand is undeniably valuable.

James Bond's Lotus Esprit Up for Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


On December 1, Bonhams in London will auction off the famous white 1976 Lotus Esprit driven by Roger Moore as James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me (one of two made). Next to the classic Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, the Lotus, which was amphibious in the movie, stands out as the iconic Bond vehicle. Estimated at about $160,000 to $190,000, it does not unfortunately come equipped with the gadgetry deployed by Moore in the film during his eventful ride with the beautiful Barbara Bach, including a cement sprayer, sea-to-air missiles, front-mounted torpedoes, ink-cloud dispenser and mine launcher. However it does afford the purchaser a chance to join the Ian Fleming Foundation, which my colleague Deidre Woollard wrote about the other day.

[via Men.Style]

The Ian Fleming Foundation: Bond For Good Causes

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Charity


Another James Bond movie is headed to the theaters and James Bond fans all around the world are lining up to see Daniel Craig in action as 007. Part of the lure is the long history of the movies and the books written by Ian Fleming which create a whole world of superspy adventures with beautiful women, fast cars, yachts and gadgets. I've seen Bond-related vehicles come up for auction before but I didn't know, until I saw a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, that there is actually an Ian Fleming Foundation, a group of owners of some of these vehicles. The foundation is a charity of seven board members who use their Bond vehicles to help non-profits raise money. The charity will loan out vehicles for a fee or a percentage of the money brought in and that money goes toward the foundation's operating budget. Their end goal is to have a museum of Bond vehicles that raises money that can be donated to a scholarship for a writer or filmmaker.

Some of the vehicles including the Lotus submarine car used in the 1977 film 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' the Aston Martin Volante used in the 1987 James Bond film 'The Living Daylights,' and the Ford Mondeo used in the 2006 film 'Casino Royale' are on display at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in New Forest between Bournemouth and Southampton in England. The James Bond Experience also includes props and apparel from the movies. The exhibition was created with the Ian Fleming Foundation.

Who's the Best Bond Girl of Them All?


The long-awaited release of Quantum of Solace later this month will add two more members - Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton - to that illustrious club of only-in-your-dreams femininity: the Bond Girls. Since 007 first walked onto the silver screen in 1962, he's rescued, bedded and battled with scores of young lovelies, without whom the secret agent would never have made it to his 22nd movie. After careful consideration of all their charms, Men.Style has presented the top picks of this pulchritudinous pantheon, including Maude Adams and Britt Ekland (above, left to right, in 1974's The Man With the Golden Gun). You can vote for your favorite; at the moment the original Bond Girl, Ursula Andress, is in the lead, but that could change.

Hotlist: Bond Girls [Men.Style]

Aston Martin DB7 with Gold, Platinum and Diamonds

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


The Aston Martin DB7 doesn't need a lengthy introduction to conjure recognition and status -- let alone a complete dip in 24-carat gold and platinum leaf or seven diamond studs. This additional flash of glamour recently given by the Alchemist, known for dipping automobile roofs in gold leaf, will be showcased at the MPH Show in London the day after 007's Quantum of Solace opens in UK theaters. After the show I'm curious which King Midas would purchase this ostentatious vehicle, and if it is purchased, would you really want to drive it? A door ding would really cost you on this baby.

Champagne Bollinger James Bond Edition

Filed under: Spirits, Wine

As my colleague Deidre Woollard reported earlier, the product tie-ins to the upcoming James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, are beginning to hit the market.

The latest is from famed French champagne house Bollinger, founded in 1829. Bollinger has been featured in Bond films as 007's favorite celebratory tipple since Moonraker back in 1979.

Conceived by French designer Eric Berthès, the lockable steel bullet-shaped case engraved "Bollinger 007" holds a magnum of Bollinger's Grande Année 1999 champagne.

Packaged in a wooden box, the whole weighs over 50 pounds and costs about $5,800; only 207 numbered Bullets will be produced.

[via Born Rich]

Stock Your Home Bar with Ralph Lauren

Filed under: Decor, Spirits


No home bar is complete without stylish glassware, trays, and other accessories (like this leather-bound martini shaker, $295) to enhance your presentation and round out the mood of luxurious relaxation. Ralph Lauren has quite the collection of home accessory items for the kitchen or home bar that utilizes classics like crystal and stainless steel and modernizes them with the rugged and sophisticated masculine energy of leather accents. Serving trays, glassware, decanters, a lead crystal ice bucket with leather handle ... there's something for everybody. $195-$395

I agree with what acquire had to say -- very 007.

Quantum of Solace Trailer Unveiled

You've read about the Aston Martin mishaps and the Tom Ford tailoring; now Sony has released the trailer for Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond flick premiering this fall. Daniel Craig stylishly reprises his role as 007 in what looks to be an action-packed installment of the classic series, with Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton doing the Bond Girl honors.

In the flick based on a 1959 Ian Fleming short story, Bond sets out to seek revenge for the death of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) from Casino Royale. Craig has said filming Quantum was much more physically demanding that Casino, and he has suffered some injuries along the way. See the trailer here and check out the gallery for production pix.

Bond-Worthy Watch for a Bond-Worthy Car

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping

Why fantasize about being James Bond when you can get a few steps closer to being 007? Aston Martin is offering a limited-edition Jaeger LeCoultre with the purchase of Bond's newest ride, the Aston Martin DBS.

At $332,000, one would think they would throw in the watch for free, but not so much. The watch is available only to purchasers of the DBS for a pretty $35,000, and is truly Bond-worthy at that -- not only does the watch look good, it also unlocks and starts the car. That will at least get you a second date, eh?

At the moment, buyers can choose between grade 5 titanium and rose-gold, but Jaeger's Jerome Lambert hints that a higher-end watch may be on its way.

[Source: Cleveland Leader]

Classic Aston Martins Fetching Ferrari-Like Bids on the Auction Block

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Classic Aston Martin vehicles and various finds in the parts bin went for astronomical amounts of money last Saturday at Bonhams' eighth annual Aston Martin sale in Buckinghamshire. Held at the Works Service facility in Newport Pagnell, the event brought in £2.3 million.

The top-grossing car on the block was a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante Convertible, which brought in £430,500, but one major point of interest was the shift knob fitted with an eject button for the James Bond movies 'Goldfinger' and 'Thunderball.' The piece went for over £40,000 -- quite a bit ahead of its estimated worth of £1,500 - £1,800.

Other impressive figures surrounded vehicles like the 2000 Aston Martin SWB Vantage Volante Special Edition, which went for £238,000 and was delivered to its new owner with less than 13,000 miles on it, as well as a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, sold for £221,500.

[Source: CommanderBond.net]

James Bond's Aston Martin DBS Revealed

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Last time we heard about James Bond's new car all we had was a sketch. Now Sybarites reveals that British magazine CAR has the first peek at Agent 007's latest ride. It's hard to tell from just the one shot what this baby really looks like but so far it seems less British built-for-speed and more American muscle, perhaps more suited to the new blond and buff Bond. Maybe I'll like it more when guns are popping out the headlights (or whatever other bells and whistles they will have on it in the movie).

[Thanks, Dave]

Omega James Bond Watch

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches


In the James Bond books by Ian Fleming, Bond wore a Rolex but for the past few movies, Bond's been an Omega man. Pierce Brosnan wore an Omega Seamaster Professional Diver in his James Bond movies (Brosnan was also an Omega spokesperson). Omega has released two James Bond watches before and the one shown above, the new Omega Seamaster James Bond Limited Edition is one of the first James Bond watches to be equipped with the co-axial escapement. The 41mm stainless steel watch uses the automatic Omega caliber 2500. The dial features the James Bond logo and the second hand has the 007 gun logo on one side. The watch is a "limited edition" of 10,007 pieces. I wonder if this means that Daniel Craig will be sporting an Omega in the new James Bond movie.

James Bond DB5 Sells for $1.9 Million

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

We told you back in November that the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 used in Goldfinger was coming up for auction.  Well, today it went to an anonymous Swiss buyer for a reported $1,900,000.  Will the buyer be trying to acquire the new Bond car when it is available? The car is to be shipped back to Switzerland to join its new family of other Astons and Porsches. Also sold in the Arizona auction were Capone's 1928 Caddy and Hank Williams Jr's Bonneville cabrio. The DB5 really is a beautiful machine, but for a movie car, I'd rather have Arthur's 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith.

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