SeanConnery

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

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

Old Business Deal Plagues Sean Connery

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping, Wealth

A business deal that is over 30 years old has come back to haunt Sean Connery. The Daily Telegraph reports that Connery, who now lives in the Bahamas, allegedly lent $4 million to a businessman to develop property in the Cote d'Azur back in 1972. Now the family of the developer is suing Connery because they say that the developer had offered as security a collection of assets including property and gems worth $10 million that could now be worth $50 million.

When Connery called in the loan, some of the assets were sold and the family says the assets were worth more than the original investment. The businessman, known only as Jean-René because the family does not want their last name disclosed, died in 2002. His family wants back all profits from the diamonds and property sold as well as any of the other items that were used as loan guarantees. A legal battle has begun in Switzerland with Connery summoned to appear before a court in Geneva next week. A spokesperson for Connery says that he knows nothing about this and that Connery has not received a summons. The length of time between the investment deal and the suit seems a bit suspicious.

UPDATE: The Scotsman reports the case has been thrown out.

Source

Tags: geneva, lawsuit, sean connery, SeanConnery

Daniel Craig Prefers Rolex

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

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.

Tags: 007, Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, James Bond, JamesBond, Omega, Rolex, Sean Connery, SeanConnery

Sean Connery Stars in New Vuitton Ad

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Sean Connery has become the latest iconic personality to star in Louis Vuitton's "core values" ad campaign. The original James Bond posed for Annie Liebovitz near his house in the Bahamas with a waterproof version of Vuitton's famous Keepall bag, WWD reports. The ad (above), which is slated to appear later this month is the latest in a series featuring the likes of Keith Richards, Francis Ford and Sofia Coppola (Vuitton's next guest designer) and Mikhail Gorbachev. Vuitton parent LVMH says the classics-oriented campaign has been getting good results.

Tags: Ad campaigns, AdCampaigns, Annie Leibovitz, AnnieLeibovitz, Bahamas, James Bond, JamesBond, Louis Vuitton, LouisVuitton, LVMH, Sean Connery, SeanConnery

Sean Connery's '61 Bentley Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A beautiful 1961 Bentley S2 saloon that belonged to actor Sean Connery is going up for sale this Saturday in England. The car is being offered at Bonhams' Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Select Pre-War Motor Cars and Automobilia Sale during the Rolls-Royce Enthusiast's Club's Annual Rally at historic Kelmarsh Hall near Northampton. The stately S2 model saloon, above, finished in two-tone Shell Grey/Tudor Grey with a contrasting red leather interior, is estimated at only $24,000 - $30,000.

Also included in the auction: A rare 1919/20 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle, est. $280,000 - $320,000, the highest-priced lot; the ex-Earls Court Motor Show 1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine, one of only 13 built, est. $116,000 - $130,000; a 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur Saloon with coachwork by H J Mulliner, est. $130,000 - $140,000; and the steal of the sale, a 1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Saloon, formerly the property of Lord Leverhulme, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, which has been ridden in by several members of the Britsh Royal Family including the Queen Mother, Prince Charles and the late Princess Di, est. only $26,000 - $30,000.

[via Kempt]

Gallery: Bonhams Rolls & Bentley Sale