JamesBond

James Bond Items on Offer in Pop Culture Auction

Filed under: Apparel, Auctions, Men's Style

Daniel Craig's aviator sunglasses designed by Tom Ford for last year's Quantum of Solace (above) are among a collection of James Bond items in Christie's London's Vintage Film Posters and Entertainment Memorabilia auction on Nov. 24. The shades, estimated at £1,000 - £1,500, are among the more modern 007 mementos in the sale, along with a poker table chair and barstool graced by Mr. Craig's derriere in 2006's Casino Royale, estimated at £1,000 - £1,500. On the vintage front there are some key items from 1974's The Man With the Golden Gun, such as a two-piece black silk evening suit made for Roger Moore for the film, offered at £3,000 - £5,000. Also from that film are the arch villain Scaramanga's custom triggers for the golden gun itself, made in the form of cufflinks which he used to assemble the lethal weapon, estimated at £2,000 - £3,000. On offer as well are a pair of black leather of Salvatore Ferragamo dress shoes worn by Moore in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me, signed on the inside in gold ink along with a jocular note from the actor, for £800 - £1,200.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: 007, Casino Royale, CasinoRoyale, Christies, cufflinks, Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, David Niven, DavidNiven, James Bond, JamesBond, Quantum of Solace, QuantumOfSolace, Roger Moore, RogerMoore, Salvatore Ferragamo, SalvatoreFerragamo, sunglasses, Tom Ford, TomFord

The Classicist: Daniel Craig's Custom Rolex by Project X Designs

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping, The Classicist

Project X Designs, a new London-based Rolex customizer, has already won some high-profile fans including James Bond himself - Daniel Craig. Project X, which also produces its own Limited Edition Rolex designs in small runs, began with a custom Submariner and Daytona a few months ago which have nearly all sold out. Two new Daytona models have just been released. Founder Daniel Bourn, 37, also launched the London Watch Company in 2003 which specializes in building collections of vintage "investment grade" Rolexes for private clients. Bourn is actually a former investment banker who developed an "obsessive compulsion" for collecting rare, modern and vintage luxury watches and decided to change careers.

Bourn launched Project X Designs (PXD), which has offices in Hanover Square, London W1, out of a desire to "provide a service to clients who appreciate the history and allure of original manufacturers' brand name – guaranteeing maximum performance with minimal maintenance – but who seek the individuality that contemporary high volume production does not offer." It's an aesthetic that appeals to celebs like Kanye West - The Classicist reported on his blacked-out Rolex earlier this year - and Craig, a diehard Rolex enthusiast as we noted last year, who owns PXD's custom Submariner.

PXD offers two distinct services via its website: the first, a bespoke service which, like a bespoke suit, tailors a new luxury wristwatch with unique features to the clients' own personal specification. For example, a leading Formula One Racing Team have commissioned a special Daytona - carrying the company logo on the reverse together with the details of the race victory - for each of its Grand Prix winning drivers. Ex Bond actor Roger Moore also has a bespoke watch in development from PXD. The second element of PXD is the introduction of collectible limited edition (runs of 24) customized Rolex watches inspired by the retro styling of the classic Rolex models from the past.

Gallery: Rolex by Project X

The bespoke customization service offered by Project X Designs is the 'backbone' of the site whereby watches can be tailored to suit the clients' demands. At present there are 18 Rolex models to choose from and 19 options ranging from different straps to DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) blacked-out watch cases at £1,650. Clients may choose as many of the bespoke options as they wish - more options are in development and will be added to the site in the future. The super-cool DLC Daytona pictured above from the new series is priced at £10,750 or about $17,500.

Tags: Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, James Bond, JamesBond, Kanye West, KanyeWest, Project X, Project X Designs, ProjectX, ProjectXDesigns, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Submariner, RolexDaytona, RolexSubmariner

Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko Stars in 2010 Campari Calendar

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Ukranian model / actress Olga Kurylenko, who played a Bond Girl opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace, has just been unveiled as the star of the 2010 Campari Calendar. Following in the footsteps of former calendar stars Salma Hayek, Eva Mendes and Jessica Alba, Kurylenko appears in a series of vignettes in different locations around Milan indulging in the classic Italian aperitif. Italian photographer Simone Nervi shot the photos, including the image above for December of a Gucci-clad Kurylenko surrounded by Ducati Monster-riding admirers at Milan's Piazza Duca D'Aosta. The twelve images will be featured in the limited edition calendar, with only 9,999 copies being printed to be distributed worldwide.

Tags: 007, aperitif, Bond Girl, BondGirl, calendar, Campari, celebrity, Ducati, Italy, James Bond, JamesBond, Milan, Olga Kurylenko, OlgaKurylenko

Roger Moore Helps Launch "Bentley of the Seas"

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Celebrity Shopping

Sir Roger Moore, famed for his portrayal of James Bond in the '70s and '80s, helped launched Swedish boatmaker J Craft's "Bentley of the Seas," the J Craft Torpedo (above), at the Monaco Yacht Show the other day. The Swedish boat building tradition is one of hand shaped hulls, rock solid construction and meticulous craftsmanship. The bespoke 42-ft. motorboat takes this practice to its extreme in every detail. The eco-friendly mahogany deck is lacquered 18 times for the perfect combination of gloss and strength. Every detail is meticulously hand finished, from the stitching on the leather upholstery to the finish of the bow chocks. No two Torpedos are exactly alike. Its Volvo Penta IPS engines can push the vessel up to speeds of 44 knots, the hand made steering wheel is from the same manufacturer that made the Ferrari 250 GTO a winner on racetracks and it even comes with a set of silver cutlery designed by HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden.

Tags: J Craft, James Bond, JamesBond, JCraft, Monaco, Monaco Yacht Show, MonacoYachtShow, motorboat, Roger Moore, RogerMoore, Sweden

Mansory Cyrus Carbon Fiber Aston Martin

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Pepto Bismol pink Vitesse Rosé Bentley Continental GT by Mansory that we wrote about last week was a truly hideous piece of automotive madness. The exotic auto tuner rescued its reputation somewhat with the carbon fiber version of an Aston Martin it displayed at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Cyrus as the car is called can be built from either the DB9 or DBS (James Bond's model of choice), with carbon body mods including front and rear wing extensions, side skirts, a front skirt with enlarged air intakes, and a reconfigured bonnet, plus a new rear skirt with an integrated diffuser and quadruple stainless steel exhausts. Interior upgrades include a carbon fiber dashboard and center console elements, a custom steering wheel and two-tone black and red leather upholstery.

Tags: Aston Martin, AstonMartin, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, custom cars, CustomCars, Frankfurt Auto Show, FrankfurtAutoShow, James Bond, JamesBond, Mansory

James Bond Watch Exhibit to Showcase Ian Fleming's Rolex Explorer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

James Bond creator Ian Fleming's personal 1954 black dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer I (right), the inspiration for Rolexes worn by the world's most famous secret agent, will go on display in the U.S. for the first time this summer at the National Watch & Clock Museum in Lancaster, PA.

The exhibit will also feature several watches worn by 007 in both Fleming's novels and the Bond movies, mainly Rolexes including several Submariners, from the one sported by Sean Connery in 1962's Dr. No to the most tricked-out model, the magnetized and built-in rotating saw blade-equipped number from Live And Let Die (1973).

The first and only Rolex Fleming owned, the Explorer I was locked away in a bank vault for 20 years following his death. The watch made its first appearance in Fleming's novel On Her Majesty's Secret Service, published in 1963. Fleming wrote that "[Bond] could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex."

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: 007, Ian Fleming, IanFleming, James Bond, JamesBond, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, RolexSubmariner, Sean Connery, SeanConnery

Megan Fox Says No to Being a Bond Girl

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Stunning actress Megan Fox has reportedly turned down the chance to star alongside Daniel Craig as the next Bond girl. The Transformers starlet was apparently offered the role in the upcoming "Bond 23" but didn't think it measured up to her talents. A source tells the U.K. Daily Star that Fox would "rather be a more central part of the movie." Perhaps she's holding out for the part of the villain? While many actresses who've been part of James Bond's coterie of lovely ladies have gone on to greater fame, many equally well-known women have turned down the chance to be his bed mate. Sienna Miller, Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron all turned down the role of Vesper Lynd in 2006's Casino Royale that eventually went to Eva Green. Check out video footage from Fox's sizzling photo shoot for GQ (above) after the jump.

Tags: celebrity, Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, James Bond, JamesBond, Megan Fox, MeganFox

Continue reading “Megan Fox Says No to Being a Bond Girl”

The World's Most Expensive Lighter for $79,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments, Men's Style

The venerable Parisian luxury goods firm of S.T. Dupont has come out with the world's most expensive lighter (right) priced at $79,000.

The Ligne 2 Champagne lighter, part of Dupont's Prestige Collection, is made of solid 18-carat white gold embellished with 468 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Also available is a matching fountain pen in solid 18-carat white gold as well with rhodium finished trims and 502 brilliant-cut diamonds for $74,000.

S.T. Dupont, founded in Paris in 1872 by Simon Tissot Dupont, made bespoke pieces for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Windsor . Daniel Craig also carried Dupont accessories as James Bond in Casino Royale.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: diamonds, Duke of Windsor, DukeOfWindsor, fountain pen, FountainPen, gold, James Bond, JamesBond, lighter, Paris, S.T. Dupont, S.t.Dupont, white gold, WhiteGold, worlds most expensive, WorldsMostExpensive

James Bond's Lotus Up for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A Lotus Esprit Turbo (above) driven by Roger Moore as James Bond in 1981's For Your Eyes Only is being auctioned off in England this weekend. The copper metallic car with a ski rack fitted to the rear louvers is expected to fetch up to $200,000 at Coys' Blenheim Palace sale in Oxfordshire on Saturday the 18th. While not as iconic as the amphibious white Lotus Esprit driven by Bond in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me - which as we reported previously went on the auction block last year - it's still an incredible piece of 007 memorabilia for any collector. The car on offer was previously sold in 2006 for $210,000, making it officially the world's most expensive Lotus Esprit Turbo.

Source

Tags: 007, Coys, James Bond, JamesBond, Lotus, Lotus Esprit, LotusEsprit, movies, Roger Moore, RogerMoore, UK

The Classicist: Celebrating Persol's Iconic Style

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Celebrity Shopping, Art, Men's Style, The Classicist

This week legendary Italian eyewear brand Persol, a bastion of Dolce Vita style, is debuting its iconic INCOGNITO design exhibition in the U.S. at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. The invitation-only opening night celebration will feature a performance by Lou Reed.

Running from June 24 - 28, INCOGNITO by Persol is an interactive exhibition that was designed to "bring to life the emotions and richness" of a heritage born nearly 90 years ago in Turin, Italy and which today remains an icon of Italian design and craftsmanship.

Persol made its big screen debut in 1961 worn by Marcello Mastroianni in Divorce Italian Style, and its U.S. film debut in 1968 worn by Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair (right). Two of the most stylish stars in the history of cinema, they catapulted the brand onto the international scene.

Other stars who have worn Persols over the years include Jack Nicholson, Richard Gere, Paul Newman, Roberto Rossellini, Cindy Crawford, Nicolas Cage, Pierce Brosnan, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Christian Slater, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Heath Ledger, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Adrien Brody and Daniel Craig, who sported two different styles in Casino Royale.

The tradition, quality, style and design that drive Persol's brand philosophy are embodied in the INCOGNITO exhibition, which involves all the senses. Along a path of images, sounds, colors, and technology, visitors can experience the world of Persol: the quality of the workmanship and materials, the uniqueness of design in the products and collections, the technological evolution and Persol's exclusive patents, as well as the magic and allure of the silver screen idols who made them famous.

Gallery: Persol Style

Tags: Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, Dolce Vita, DolceVita, exhibition, Fellini, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, Italy, James Bond, JamesBond, Lou Reed, LouReed, marcello mastroianni, MarcelloMastroianni, Persol, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, sunglasses, whitney museum, WhitneyMuseum

Continue reading “The Classicist: Celebrating Persol's Iconic Style”

James Bond's Brioni Suits & More at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping, Men's Style

Several items of clothing worn by Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond films including his Brioni suits are on offer at Bonhams' Entertainment Memorabilia sale in London on June 16. Highlights include a razor sharp three-piece navy wool Brioni suit with a ticket pocket, estimated at £2,500 - £3,000, and a cream herringbone linen Brioni suit, estimated at £3,000 - 4,000, both from 1995's Goldeneye. The suits have Brosnan's name embroidered on the lining and are accompanied by film stills showing him wearing the items. Other Brosnan / Bond items include a pair of leather jackets, a selection of Turnbull & Asser shirts and ties, and even Kevlar body armor. There are a few articles of clothing worn by Roger Moore as 007 featured in the sale as well.

Tags: 007, Bonhams, Brioni, James Bond, JamesBond, Pierce Brosnan, PierceBrosnan, Roger Moore, RogerMoore, suit, Turnbull Asser, TurnbullAsser

Take a Last Minute Luxury Tour of Northern India

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Of all the countries that I've traveled to, India was among the most fascinating -- and the most intense. I'll never forget the feeling of overwhelm when I landed in Mumbai after a 16 hour Continental flight direct from Newark. I stepped out of the airport, into the hot night and to a sea of cab drivers clamoring for my attention. Suddenly, and somehow, a slim young man appeared in front of the throng, and calmly said "Mrs. Wellner?". He was carrying a Greaves Tours sign and a bottle of water, and at that moment (and many times thereafter, as I traveled throughout the country) I was incredibly relieved to have arranged my trip through that Chicago-based, family-owned company.

There are many countries where you don't need a tour guide or a driver, and India is just not one of them. Greaves arranges thoughtful custom packages with the country's most luxurious hotels, and engages experienced English-speaking guides and drivers so you can relax and take in the total-body sensory experience that is India. One driver that Greaves engaged during my trip observed, as he simultaneously leaned on the horn, steered the van through traffic coming at us in every direction (that included at various intervals elephants, donkeys, people, cows) and smiled, that Formula One champ Michael Schumacher could drive faster than him, but no way could he negotiate the roads of India as well as he could. I do believe he was right.

Greaves is offering several discounts, specials and sales this summer, but if your July is looking a little slow, check out the 10 day 'Royal Deal' package to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur. It's being offered at half its usual price, so fly British Air's Business Class from New York, stay at Taj hotels, enjoy top-notch tours and transfers and other perks from $6,885, per person, double. The highlight just may be your stay at the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, pictured here, and which you might recognize from the James Bond movie Upon arrival, as you disembark from the ferry boat, you are literally showered with rose petals. Book and travel by July 21st, 2009.

Tags: india, james bond, JamesBond, michaelschumacher, tours

James Bond Museum Opening This Weekend

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Fans of James Bond movies have a new place to indulge their obsession. The Bond museum opens this weekend in England. The Bond Museum will host of vehicles and gadgets used in the series of action films. It is located on the site of a former supermarket in Keswick. The museum features a convertible Triumph Stag driven by Sean Connery in "Diamonds Are Forever" as well as the Russian T55 battle tank from "GoldenEye," and the original Colibri gun from "The Man with the Golden Gun." The Lotus Esprit Turbo from "The Spy Who Love Me" will also be exhibited along with a few of Bond's Aston Martins. The owner of the museum, Peter Nelson has been collecting Bond memorabilia for years and also runs the Cars of the Stars motor museum in Keswick and you can see a bit of the collection on that website.

Source

Tags: james bond, JamesBond, museum

Beckhams Borrow Clooney's Lake Como Villa

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports

George Clooney is quite a pal. According to Hello magazine, the movie star just lent his lavish $6 million villa on Italy's famed Lake Como (above) to soccer superstar David Beckham and his wife Victoria. Beckham, whose taste for the finer things in life has been often noted here, is being fought over by two soccer teams, the LA Galaxy and Italy's AC Milan. The Beckhams will take some relaxing time out at the villa while waiting to see the if LA Galaxy will release him from his contract and allow a transfer to AC Milan, the magazine reports. "George has really taken David under his wing since the transfer trouble started," they note.

The luxurious villa, which has played host to many of Clooney's superstar pals, is just half an hour away from the Beckhams' base in Milan. Clooney, 47, and Beckham, 33, became friends after being introduced by Giorgio Armani, (whose underwear ads the Beckhams star in), at the Met Ball in New York last May. Luxe Lake Como, where scenes from the last two James Bond movies were shot, has long been a favorite retreat for Italy's rich and famous and the international jetset. As we mentioned last month, the contents of late designer Gianni Versace's villa there are being auctioned off by Sotheby's in March.

Tags: Celebrity, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, Gianni Versace, GianniVersace, Giorgio Armani, GiorgioArmani, Italy, James Bond, JamesBond, Lake Como, LakeComo, Milan, Soccer, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Best-Dressed Man at the Oscars: Daniel Craig

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Events, Men's Style

As a supplement to my colleague Deidre Woollard's rundown on red carpet fashions at the Oscars, I offer my own pick for the Oscars best dressed man: nouveau James Bond Daniel Craig. Craig, above with girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell, who was a presenter at the ceremony, wore a midnight blue shawl collar tuxedo with satin facing on the lapels and turned-back cuffs and an elegant trim black satin diamond point bow tie and white silk pocket square, all by his favorite designer Tom Ford.

The smaller bow tie in an unusual shape was a welcome change from the alarming trend toward oversized, clownish bows, while the vintage-inspired look of the dark blue shawl managed to be distinctive, classic and extremely elegant, a bit of a departure from the usual without going too far. Ford, who provided suits for Craig to wear in Quantum of Solace, also made Brad Pitt's tuxedo for the Oscars, though Craig looked the best.

Tags: Black tie, BlackTie, Brad Pitt, BradPitt, Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, James Bond, JamesBond, Oscars, Oscars2009, Red carpet, RedCarpet, Tom Ford, TomFord, Tuxedo