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Dan2010 · 9 July 2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I care as much about James Bond as I do Hello Kitty.

You must be really into Hello Kitty then! I'm not judging or anything.

East Bay Rider · 9 July 2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caraptor

James Bond has never had an impact on me in any way in regards to anything ever.

X2
Except my quest for PG

(you know her name)

delldeaton · 9 July 2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

... (you know her name)

And surely we know how the name is properly pronounced: "Poo--

DG123 · 9 July 2011, 01:14 PM

34MM is a sensible everyday man's watch size.
36mm is a little large for an everyday man's watch.
40mm is the size for specialty sports models, such as dive watches, where a larger face may improve underwater readability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by delldeaton

It's always good to put some numbers to James Bond lifestyle choices, right?

And what better audience to POLL (with options for additional comments, but of course) than the great folks here on TRF?

Okay-- so, author Jeffery Deaver, who was commissioned by Ian Fleming Publications to write the latest James Bond continuation book, Carte Blanche, has gone on record as saying that the personal watch of Our Man in that novel is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual with date complication, 34mm case size.

Comments, please.

TheWatchFiend · 9 July 2011, 01:18 PM

If you want to know my opinion, Deaver's use of a 34mm dress watch for Bond has zero impact on my opinion for smaller watches. But let's be honest. In today's world, 34mm is considered small. This is not 1954. I am perplexed that Deaver did not choose a new 39mm Explorer for Bond, as it would have been the safest bet for literary Bond to wear. It was Ian's choice for himself, and more likely than not for Bond as well. The Explorer is not a dress watch, but a sports watch, that just happens to look dressy while being simple and tough as nails. If Bond wore a Rolex dress watch in the earlier novels before Ian Fleming purchased his own Explorer or before Bond swam that famous dive in Live and Let Die, it was likely because dress watches were the norm for that period, and sports watches were used for sport. The only explanation I can come up with for the use of a small, dress watch for Bond in this new novel is that nobody in this day and age would ever expect an operations officer, a double O, to wear one.

Maxtor · 9 July 2011, 01:40 PM

I like the Omega Bond watches but I think they would look better if the 007 markings were kept off the dial and hands. OK on the caseback, but not where they can be seen. Makes it seem more like a movie premium than a serious watch. Besides, I thought Bond was a "secret" agent.

threemonkeys · 9 July 2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I care as much about James Bond as I do Hello Kitty.

X2. And Hello Kitty Cars are much cuter, too.

Dr. Robert · 9 July 2011, 02:56 PM

Is this Bond story in present time???? The last Bond book I read by Sebastian Faulks was set
in 1967......I guess a 34mm watch would be ok for '67.......but I agree w/ an earlier post
that if the story is set in the present day, Bond should wear the 39mm explorer......or at least the 36mm one, or a SS 36mm datejust.

Nalk7 · 9 July 2011, 03:10 PM

I prefer smaller watches so no impact on me

mikkolopez · 9 July 2011, 07:23 PM

have not been really influenced by what movie stars or characters they portray for my choice of watches. but it is swell that I was able to influence Bond with MY CHOICE

My 1975 OP Date Rhodium (can match his silver Aston Martin as well)

Gugnunc · 9 July 2011, 08:25 PM

Have had my 34mm Explorer for 46 years and it is still my favourite watch. I really don't care at all for the current fashion which dictates that watches should grow ever larger. Each to his own - but my personal opinion is that anything larger than 40mm is just plain silly; bigger than that and it's not a watch - it's a small clock.

Lol-x · 9 July 2011, 11:12 PM

It seems to be an unfortunate choice of model. This does not accord with current sizes worn by most men and at the same time, it doesn't seem to me to be the most likely or realistic model one might expect the character James Bond to wear

TheDude · 9 July 2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG123

34MM is a sensible everyday man's watch size.
36mm is a little large for an everyday man's watch.
40mm is the size for specialty sports models, such as dive watches, where a larger face may improve underwater readability.

Where'd you find that? A 1960s issue of GQ?

TheDude · 9 July 2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lol-x

It seems to be an unfortunate choice of model. This does not accord with current sizes worn by most men and at the same time, it doesn't seem to me to be the most likely or realistic model one might expect the character James Bond to wear

+1. Heck, +infinity.

Grumpy Badger · 10 July 2011, 12:06 AM

The new books leave me stone cold while I love the Fleming originals.

To me James Bond as a character doesn't work updated to todays world. The original books are almost 'period drama' now, the style, the attitudes and the snobbery of the day all mixed with a good dose of cold war paranoia... The Bond Fleming created would find he spent more time fighting sexual harassment allegations than agents of SMERSH nowadays!

I don't like the efforts to keep updating the Bond francise (though, of course, I understand the financial goldmine in doing so). As a result I have no interest at all in what watch the character is portrayed as wearing in the latest book.

TheDude · 10 July 2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

The new books leave me stone cold while I love the Fleming originals.

To me James Bond as a character doesn't work updated to todays world. The original books are almost 'period drama' now, the style, the attitudes and the snobbery of the day all mixed with a good dose of cold war paranoia... The Bond Fleming created would find he spent more time fighting sexual harassment allegations than agents of SMERSH nowadays!

I don't like the efforts to keep updating the Bond francise (though, of course, I understand the financial goldmine in doing so). As a result I have no interest at all in what watch the character is portrayed as wearing in the latest book.

Right, and if you're "updating", it doesn't make much sense to constantly drag the character back to his roots by dressing him up in sentimentalities.

Any modern Bond would have spent time in a special forces or special ops unit before joining HMSS. Those guys don't wear watches like that.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Grumpy Badger · 10 July 2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude

Right, and if you're "updating", it doesn't make much sense to constantly drag the character back to his roots by dressing him up in sentimentalities.

Any modern Bond would have spent time in a special forces or special ops unit before joining HMSS. Those guys don't wear watches like that.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Though, to be fair, a Nite MX10 wouldn't look very good with a dinner jacket and might give the game away a bit while under cover!

ArcticMoose · 10 July 2011, 12:54 AM

For me personally, the Bond connection is a deterrent to Rolex watches more than a reason to buy them. The 007 Seamaster is one of the cheesiest looking watches of all time, and has forever put me off Omega altogether, regardless of what they may do in the future.

So, what James Bond wears influences my choice about as much as Twilight did regarding my purchase of a Cosmic White C30. (Hint: I bought the car before the movie came out.)

bondtoys · 10 July 2011, 01:03 AM

Deaver's choice seems to me to be very much influenced on the current "Literaric James Bond watch discovered" hype for Ian Fleming's personal Explorer (also 34 mm).

All info, that we really have on Bond's watch is, that it's on an expandable bracelet and has luminous numerals.

I personally am more leaning towards this kind of watch, which also fits all literaric descriptions

Ian Fleming had a lot of watches and noone can say for sure, which watch he meant when describing it in 2 of his novels - no matter what their claim may be.

Besides this the 34 mm Rolex choice is a ridiculous one imo, James Bond never lived 30 years in the past fashionwise.

Grumpy Badger · 10 July 2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondtoys.de

Deaver's choice seems to me to be very much influenced on the current "Literaric James Bond watch discovered" hype for Ian Fleming's personal Explorer (also 34 mm).

All info, that we really have on Bond's watch is, that it's on an expandable bracelet ans luminous numerals.

I personally am more leaning towards this kind of watch, which also fits all literaric descriptions

Ian Fleming had a lot of watches and noone can say for sure, which watch he meant when describing it in 2 of his novels - no matter what their claim may be.

Besides this the 34 mm Rolex choice is a ridiculous one imo, James Bond never lived 30 years in the past fashionwise.

I tend to lean towards the 3,6,9 sub myself.

Mind you, the Bond of Flemings novels did have an old bentley til he totalled it and updated.

The Laird · 10 July 2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondtoys.de

Deaver's choice seems to me to be very much influenced on the current "Literaric James Bond watch discovered" hype for Ian Fleming's personal Explorer (also 34 mm).

All info, that we really have on Bond's watch is, that it's on an expandable bracelet and has luminous numerals.

I personally am more leaning towards this kind of watch, which also fits all literaric descriptions

Ian Fleming had a lot of watches and noone can say for sure, which watch he meant when describing it in 2 of his novels - no matter what their claim may be.

Besides this the 34 mm Rolex choice is a ridiculous one imo, James Bond never lived 30 years in the past fashionwise.

Hi,

I would certainly like to think that the watch that James Bond wore in the Ian Fleming books was this watch?

I think he would probably have worn both the Explorer and the Submariner, depending on the type of assignment he was on.

Till next time...

The Laird

TheWatchFiend · 10 July 2011, 12:38 PM

Besides this the 34 mm Rolex choice is a ridiculous one imo, James Bond never lived 30 years in the past fashionwise.[/QUOTE]

+1. Hey, that Rolex Oyster Perpetual has "big phosphorus numerals!" Or at least it did.

*******[Spolier alert ahead for anyone who hasn't read Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. And for those who haven't, what's taking you so long?? It's been 57 years!

]

I for one think literary Bond wore a Submariner in Live and Let Die when he planted limpet mines on the hull of Mr. Big's yacht. It just makes the most sense to me.

KarlFr · 10 July 2011, 12:49 PM

Ian Fleming and Sean Connery are the originals, the rest is just marketing and copycats in my opinion.

MoosicPa · 10 July 2011, 02:35 PM

I think 34mm is too small, I prefer the 36mm of the DD and DJ.....

poppydog · 10 July 2011, 03:26 PM

I found the novel a bit disappointing in general, and especially so in comparison to Fleming's work. Like the idea of a huge, gold breitling, though.

drdenn · 10 July 2011, 06:08 PM

I in fact saw a rather slight built man wearing a 34mm at Fashion Valley mall on Friday, and did a double take as well. Even on this gentleman it looked to small and like a lady's watch. Had he worn a standard 36mm DJ, it would have served him better and looked proportionately correct!

jdc · 10 July 2011, 06:26 PM

I think the whole James Bond thing is quite pathetic, and is more likely to make me wear something quite different. What a fictional character wears bears no relation to my choices, if you think by wearing a watch it gives you some kind of affinity to a secret agent then you need your brain tested.

Crispy · 10 July 2011, 06:51 PM

I like 34mm case sizes but for Bond it is a rather uninspired choice.

R.G · 11 July 2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc

I think the whole James Bond thing is quite pathetic, and is more likely to make me wear something quite different. What a fictional character wears bears no relation to my choices, if you think by wearing a watch it gives you some kind of affinity to a secret agent then you need your brain tested.

I'm not convinced that a 007 story describing Bond as wearing a smaller sized watch will change worldwide sales for Rolex suddenly. I won't be buying the watch which features in the latest 007 story. I'm sure however that many a Rolex regardless of exact model has been bought by non-TRF'ers because of the brand being used in some of the Bond stories/films. Whether it's right or wrong, it's just human behaviour.

Generic product placement in various films is tried and tested. Enough Said.

Ed Rooney · 11 July 2011, 02:07 AM

My brother has a 34mm Oyster Date on a croc strap, and he wears it just fine. I tried it on and it looks great. Neither of us are small guys, but he's 6'3" with a healthy wrist size.

We both have 34mm Omega DeVille's, and he has some Connie's and various other 34mm vintage watches. I think the size is perfect for a dress watch.

View Poll Results: That fact that James Bond wears a 34mm Rolex in Carte Blanche:
... makes me very likely to consider 34mm Rolex models for myself	13	5.37%
... makes me somewhat more likely to consider 34mm Rolex models for myself	6	2.48%
... makes me at least open to considering 34mm Rolex models for myself	2	0.83%
... has no impact on watches I'll choose for myself, either way	190	78.51%
... makes me a bit less open to considering 34mm Rolex models for myself	0	0%
... makes me clearly less likely to consider a 34mm Rolex model for myself	0	0%
... makes me very unlikely to consider any 34mm Rolex models for myself	21	8.68%
No opinion / refuse to answer	10	4.13%
Voters: 242. You may not vote on this poll

9 July 2011, 02:56 PM	#38
Dr. Robert 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 63,873	Is this Bond story in present time???? The last Bond book I read by Sebastian Faulks was set in 1967......I guess a 34mm watch would be ok for '67.......but I agree w/ an earlier post that if the story is set in the present day, Bond should wear the 39mm explorer......or at least the 36mm one, or a SS 36mm datejust. __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

9 July 2011, 08:25 PM	#41
Gugnunc "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Philip Bowes Location: England Watch: 5500 Exp & 114270 Posts: 154	Have had my 34mm Explorer for 46 years and it is still my favourite watch. I really don't care at all for the current fashion which dictates that watches should grow ever larger. Each to his own - but my personal opinion is that anything larger than 40mm is just plain silly; bigger than that and it's not a watch - it's a small clock. Last edited by Gugnunc; 9 July 2011 at 08:48 PM.. Reason: Additional comment.

9 July 2011, 11:12 PM	#42
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,550	It seems to be an unfortunate choice of model. This does not accord with current sizes worn by most men and at the same time, it doesn't seem to me to be the most likely or realistic model one might expect the character James Bond to wear __________________ *Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.* ~Abraham Lincoln Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim

10 July 2011, 12:06 AM	#45
Grumpy Badger "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Mark Location: Bonny Scotland Watch: 14060M Sub (cosc) Posts: 5,280	The new books leave me stone cold while I love the Fleming originals. To me James Bond as a character doesn't work updated to todays world. The original books are almost 'period drama' now, the style, the attitudes and the snobbery of the day all mixed with a good dose of cold war paranoia... The Bond Fleming created would find he spent more time fighting sexual harassment allegations than agents of SMERSH nowadays! I don't like the efforts to keep updating the Bond francise (though, of course, I understand the financial goldmine in doing so). As a result I have no interest at all in what watch the character is portrayed as wearing in the latest book. __________________ Don't mind me. I'm full of scotch, bitterness and impure thoughts! "You have enemies? Good! That means you stood up for something, sometime in your life." Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, DL, FRS.

9 July 2011, 01:18 PM	#35
TheWatchFiend "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Watch: Omega SMP 2531.80 Posts: 57	If you want to know my opinion, Deaver's use of a 34mm dress watch for Bond has zero impact on my opinion for smaller watches. But let's be honest. In today's world, 34mm is considered small. This is not 1954. I am perplexed that Deaver did not choose a new 39mm Explorer for Bond, as it would have been the safest bet for literary Bond to wear. It was Ian's choice for himself, and more likely than not for Bond as well. The Explorer is not a dress watch, but a sports watch, that just happens to look dressy while being simple and tough as nails. If Bond wore a Rolex dress watch in the earlier novels before Ian Fleming purchased his own Explorer or before Bond swam that famous dive in Live and Let Die, it was likely because dress watches were the norm for that period, and sports watches were used for sport. The only explanation I can come up with for the use of a small, dress watch for Bond in this new novel is that nobody in this day and age would ever expect an operations officer, a double O, to wear one.

9 July 2011, 01:40 PM	#36
Maxtor 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Max Location: Toronto Watch: Exp 1, DJ Tuxedo Posts: 2,468	I like the Omega Bond watches but I think they would look better if the 007 markings were kept off the dial and hands. OK on the caseback, but not where they can be seen. Makes it seem more like a movie premium than a serious watch. Besides, I thought Bond was a "secret" agent.

9 July 2011, 03:10 PM	#39
Nalk7 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Miguel Location: East Lansing MI Watch: 114270,5508,124060 Posts: 562	I prefer smaller watches so no impact on me

9 July 2011, 07:23 PM	#40
mikkolopez "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 2,301	have not been really influenced by what movie stars or characters they portray for my choice of watches. but it is swell that I was able to influence Bond with MY CHOICE My 1975 OP Date Rhodium (can match his silver Aston Martin as well)

10 July 2011, 12:54 AM	#48
ArcticMoose "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Sea Posts: 1,894	For me personally, the Bond connection is a deterrent to Rolex watches more than a reason to buy them. The 007 Seamaster is one of the cheesiest looking watches of all time, and has forever put me off Omega altogether, regardless of what they may do in the future. So, what James Bond wears influences my choice about as much as Twilight did regarding my purchase of a Cosmic White C30. (Hint: I bought the car before the movie came out.)

10 July 2011, 01:03 AM	#49
bondtoys "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: World Watch: 16750 Posts: 2,733	Deaver's choice seems to me to be very much influenced on the current "Literaric James Bond watch discovered" hype for Ian Fleming's personal Explorer (also 34 mm). All info, that we really have on Bond's watch is, that it's on an expandable bracelet and has luminous numerals. I personally am more leaning towards this kind of watch, which also fits all literaric descriptions Ian Fleming had a lot of watches and noone can say for sure, which watch he meant when describing it in 2 of his novels - no matter what their claim may be. Besides this the 34 mm Rolex choice is a ridiculous one imo, James Bond never lived 30 years in the past fashionwise.

10 July 2011, 12:38 PM	#52
TheWatchFiend "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Watch: Omega SMP 2531.80 Posts: 57	Besides this the 34 mm Rolex choice is a ridiculous one imo, James Bond never lived 30 years in the past fashionwise.[/QUOTE] +1. Hey, that Rolex Oyster Perpetual has "big phosphorus numerals!" Or at least it did. *******[Spolier alert ahead for anyone who hasn't read Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. And for those who haven't, what's taking you so long?? It's been 57 years! ] I for one think literary Bond wore a Submariner in Live and Let Die when he planted limpet mines on the hull of Mr. Big's yacht. It just makes the most sense to me.

10 July 2011, 12:49 PM	#53
KarlFr "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Scandinavia Watch: ♛ Posts: 1,330	Ian Fleming and Sean Connery are the originals, the rest is just marketing and copycats in my opinion.

10 July 2011, 02:35 PM	#54
MoosicPa "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Don Location: Moosic PA Watch: King Midas & Subma Posts: 1,159	I think 34mm is too small, I prefer the 36mm of the DD and DJ.....

10 July 2011, 03:26 PM	#55
poppydog Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Steve Location: UK Watch: Rolex Seadweller Posts: 253	I found the novel a bit disappointing in general, and especially so in comparison to Fleming's work. Like the idea of a huge, gold breitling, though.

10 July 2011, 06:08 PM	#56
drdenn Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Honey Rider Location: San Diego Watch: Rolex Sub C 116610 Posts: 143	I in fact saw a rather slight built man wearing a 34mm at Fashion Valley mall on Friday, and did a double take as well. Even on this gentleman it looked to small and like a lady's watch. Had he worn a standard 36mm DJ, it would have served him better and looked proportionately correct!

10 July 2011, 06:26 PM	#57
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	I think the whole James Bond thing is quite pathetic, and is more likely to make me wear something quite different. What a fictional character wears bears no relation to my choices, if you think by wearing a watch it gives you some kind of affinity to a secret agent then you need your brain tested.

10 July 2011, 06:51 PM	#58
Crispy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Crispin Location: Sydney Watch: 66SeamasterDeville Posts: 3	I like 34mm case sizes but for Bond it is a rather uninspired choice.

11 July 2011, 02:07 AM	#60
Ed Rooney "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600 Posts: 5,081	My brother has a 34mm Oyster Date on a croc strap, and he wears it just fine. I tried it on and it looks great. Neither of us are small guys, but he's 6'3" with a healthy wrist size. We both have 34mm Omega DeVille's, and he has some Connie's and various other 34mm vintage watches. I think the size is perfect for a dress watch.

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