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"Christie's South Kensington: James Bond," 14 February 2001
Original description of Auction Lot #145
James Bond's specially adapted Rolex wristwatch converted from a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner wristwatch, Ref: 5513, case No. 2683776, 1972, the black dial with dot and baton markers, Mercedes hands, movement removed to allow customization, case with calibrated rotating black bezel with saw-tooth edge, protected screw down winding crown, screw back, diameter 39mm, stainless steel Rolex USA expanding Oyster bracelet with deployment (sic) clasp dated 7/72 — made for Roger Moore as James Bond in the 1973 United Artists / EON film Live and Let Die; accompanied by two black and white stills, (both printed later) one — 8x10in. (20.3x25.4cm.), the other — 9½x7¼in. (24x18.4cm.)
Estimate
£15,000-20,000
US$23,000-30,000
€24,000-32,000
James Bond's Rolex wristwatch, adapted by Q with remarkable features, was the principal gadget in the film. The two most notable features were ...a hyper intensified magnetic field powerful enough to deflect the path of a bullet even at long range... and a buzz saw, both of which were utilized by Bond with positive results at climatic moments in the film.
Designed by art director Syd Cain, the watch in this lot is one of a very few, modified for use in the film. This watch has been adapted specifically for the buzz saw feature, the bezel has been re-cut to give a sharp cutting edge and modified so that it can rise to its maximum height before spinning [see Cain's production drawing in previous lot]. In Cain's design, the buzz saw is activated by compressed air blown through a tube on to specially constructed vanes causing the bezel to rise and rotate. Bond [Roger Moore] used the saw feature with dramatic results in one of the most exciting sequences in the film. When he cut through the rope and escaped with Solitaire [Jane Seymour] from the hoist in Kananga's lair before the villain's plans to feed them to the sharks could be carried out.
The magnetic feature was similarly used to full effect by Bond in his final confrontation with Dr. Kananga. It also provided some of the films more humorous moments when Bond, at the beginning of the film, uses it to unzip Miss Caruso's [Madeline Smith] dress. Her remark about the delicacy of his touch giving rise to 007's typically sardonic response Sheer Magnetism, Darling.
A similar lot sold through these rooms as Lot 130, James Bond 007, September 17th, 1998. This Rolex however had different adaptations to the one in this lot. The black dial had pierced numerals which appeared red due to a colored insert beneath. It would appear to have been adapted for close-ups to indicate when the hyper intensified magnetic field was in use in the film. The wristwatch included in this lot on the other hand, is adapted to give the movement and lift necessary for the bezel to act as a buzz saw as illustrated in Syd Cain's drawing in the previous lot.
Posted by Dell Deaton, April 9, 2008 at 5:32 AM
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