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Old 22 January 2009, 01:12 AM   #1
towernick
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James Bond wore an Explorer I

Not sure if anyone has posted this yet or not, but there was a very interesting article in the newest issue of Watch Time regarding Ian Fleming, James Bond and the Explorer I. There are a couple really cool pictures of Fleming's personal Explorer I which is on display at a museum in London for a few more months, also interesting facts on how Fleming decided on giving Bond a Rolex. It's worth the ten minutes it takes to read the article.
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Old 22 January 2009, 01:38 AM   #2
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Dell Deaton is our expert here on Bond watches, but I do believe that one of the watches Bond wore was a 3 6 9 dialed watch with a rotating bezel....a very early version of the Sub. Similar to the explorer, but not quite the same. Of course, everyone had their own opinion of this! Any links to the article?
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Old 22 January 2009, 01:41 AM   #3
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One correction - if true, it would be an Explorer - there is no such watch as an 'Explorer I', but there is an Explorer II.

Interested to see the outcome - it would be a neat piece of trivia if correct.
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Old 22 January 2009, 01:52 AM   #4
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yep great article.. !
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Old 22 January 2009, 01:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlanta View Post
One correction - if true, it would be an Explorer - there is no such watch as an 'Explorer I', but there is an Explorer II.

Interested to see the outcome - it would be a neat piece of trivia if correct.
Jim, I was always under the same impression but some of the older Rolex literature I've recently seen actually refers to the reference as an Explorer I, although current literature does not. FWIW.
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Old 22 January 2009, 01:57 AM   #6
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It is believed that the original Bond movie watch is a Submariner with the 3 6 9 dial as seen on the Explorer.
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Old 22 January 2009, 02:26 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlanta View Post
One correction - if true, it would be an Explorer - there is no such watch as an 'Explorer I', but there is an Explorer II.

Interested to see the outcome - it would be a neat piece of trivia if correct.
The article mentions it as an "Explorer I" which is why I did the same, I'm aware of the fact that it is an Explorer. Also, it seemed the article was more concerned with the books than the movies.
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Old 22 January 2009, 02:27 AM   #8
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I also remember reading the original Bond books and recall mention of his "Rolex Explorer."
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Old 22 January 2009, 02:33 AM   #9
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Now, now, now...

Let's not change history on the Forum..

Dells excellent article points out that Fleming wore an Elxplorer, so it is likely that he fashioned his Spy to also wear an Explorer..

..............This would be the Spy Bond in his novels...............

The Bond on the big screen wore a Submariner as well as some other interesting timepieces..

We have an article about the Bond Sub over in our Reference pages..
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=60770

We also discussed this issue with Dell before his article appeared in Watch Time>
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...+bond+explorer
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Old 22 January 2009, 02:36 AM   #10
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Fleming also wanted David Niven to be the first Bond.

Thank God they didn't follow the book to the letter...
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Old 22 January 2009, 02:42 AM   #11
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Tools, I'm not trying to change history, the article is focused on the books and relating Fleming's life to what showed up in his books. It's a great read and anyone who is a Rolex fan will surely enjoy it. I never made any mention to the movies in my original post.
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Old 22 January 2009, 04:10 AM   #12
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I would love to be able to change history. Out go the exwives.
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Old 22 January 2009, 04:34 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by towernick View Post
Tools, I'm not trying to change history, the article is focused on the books and relating Fleming's life to what showed up in his books. It's a great read and anyone who is a Rolex fan will surely enjoy it. I never made any mention to the movies in my original post.
Sorry if I wasn't clear...

I was not referring to you but rather to some of the comments that were piling up.....
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Old 22 January 2009, 05:35 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by buz-lh View Post
I would love to be able to change history. Out go the exwives.
Divorce Attorneys: they can't change your past, but they can change your future!
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