The Original James Bond Watch Coming to America

[delldeaton]

Thought you all might be interested in this news item just released by the NAWCC. There are three images that go along with it; once I host them, I'll return here to make an ad. Meantime, the headline below is the title, and what's below is provided verbatim.

AUTHOR IAN FLEMING’S ORIGINAL JAMES BOND MANUSCRIPTS TO BE PART OF UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT WATCH & CLOCK MUSEUM

COLUMBIA, PA: Ian Fleming carefully kept the original manuscripts for his James Bond thrillers, in addition to pre-publication book proofs and author’s copies that include summary notes in his own handwriting. For researchers and fans, these represent incredible views into the origins of the 007 character and the mind of his fascinating creator.

A sampling from among these one-of-a-kind texts will be displayed as part of the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum, opening June 17, 2010. This loan was made possible by special arrangement with the Lilly Library at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

“We can tell a lot by looking at the actual pages as Mr. Fleming hammered them out at the keys of his Imperial portable typewriter,” notes Dell Deaton of JamesBondWatches.com and guest curator for the Bond Watches exhibit. “The ‘Rolex’ reference in Live and Let Die, for example, is first-draft. That, then, specifically dates it to February or March of 1953 — and establishes a context for examining the role that his friend Commander Jacques Cousteau may have had in providing input on the brand.

“Thunderball, of course, shows how Ian Fleming created the first Bond gadget-watch, in 1960.

“There’s also what we can see as iterations progress. This National Watch & Clock Museum display, for example, will include four versions of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, revealing Fleming’s interesting focus on wristwatch-related details,” Deaton continues. “There’s a curious continuity error that started with the manuscript when it was written at Goldeneye and made it all the way into the ‘Uncorrected Proof’ binding, but which was caught and corrected before the first edition book run and serialized publication in Playboy. We’re planning to show this complete progression as part of this special exhibit.”

The original James Bond manuscripts, author’s first editions, and other materials were acquired by the Lilly Library in 1970. Thus, the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit will mark the first time in over four decades that the original 007 wristwatch (Ian Fleming’s Rolex 1016 Explorer) and the 1962 manuscript in which it is referenced will be displayed together.

“The National Watch & Clock Museum is extremely grateful to Indiana University and its Lilly Library for the loan of these materials,” Museum Director Noel Poirier adds. “Through the years, we’ve been able to enter into cooperative exchanges such as this with a variety of other institutions, expanding the reach in sharing what we’ve preserved from the history of timekeeping. It allows us to broaden the context of exhibits such as this, showing not just the watches, but the culture and period in which they were important.”

Dell Deaton is the creator-author of JamesBondWatches.com and guest curator for this Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibition. He is a member of both the National Watch & Clock Association and American Marketing Association, and a recognized expert on Ian Fleming and James Bond horology. Previously he was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors that governs the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, and served three terms on the editorial advisory board for Exhibitor Publications.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with close to 20,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

(Yes, it's odd to make a post where one is referred to in the third person. On the other hand, it's helpful to be at a bit of an arm's length when talking about the "need" to have any issues of Playboy magazine about the place!)

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by delldeaton

Thought you all might be interested in this news item just released by the NAWCC. There are three images that go along with it; once I host them, I'll return here to make an ad. Meantime, the headline below is the title, and what's below is provided verbatim.

AUTHOR IAN FLEMING’S ORIGINAL JAMES BOND MANUSCRIPTS TO BE PART OF UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT WATCH & CLOCK MUSEUM

COLUMBIA, PA: Ian Fleming carefully kept the original manuscripts for his James Bond thrillers, in addition to pre-publication book proofs and author’s copies that include summary notes in his own handwriting. For researchers and fans, these represent incredible views into the origins of the 007 character and the mind of his fascinating creator.

A sampling from among these one-of-a-kind texts will be displayed as part of the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum, opening June 17, 2010. This loan was made possible by special arrangement with the Lilly Library at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

“We can tell a lot by looking at the actual pages as Mr. Fleming hammered them out at the keys of his Imperial portable typewriter,” notes Dell Deaton of JamesBondWatches.com and guest curator for the Bond Watches exhibit. “The ‘Rolex’ reference in Live and Let Die, for example, is first-draft. That, then, specifically dates it to February or March of 1953 — and establishes a context for examining the role that his friend Commander Jacques Cousteau may have had in providing input on the brand.

“Thunderball, of course, shows how Ian Fleming created the first Bond gadget-watch, in 1960.

“There’s also what we can see as iterations progress. This National Watch & Clock Museum display, for example, will include four versions of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, revealing Fleming’s interesting focus on wristwatch-related details,” Deaton continues. “There’s a curious continuity error that started with the manuscript when it was written at Goldeneye and made it all the way into the ‘Uncorrected Proof’ binding, but which was caught and corrected before the first edition book run and serialized publication in Playboy. We’re planning to show this complete progression as part of this special exhibit.”

The original James Bond manuscripts, author’s first editions, and other materials were acquired by the Lilly Library in 1970. Thus, the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit will mark the first time in over four decades that the original 007 wristwatch (Ian Fleming’s Rolex 1016 Explorer) and the 1962 manuscript in which it is referenced will be displayed together.

“The National Watch & Clock Museum is extremely grateful to Indiana University and its Lilly Library for the loan of these materials,” Museum Director Noel Poirier adds. “Through the years, we’ve been able to enter into cooperative exchanges such as this with a variety of other institutions, expanding the reach in sharing what we’ve preserved from the history of timekeeping. It allows us to broaden the context of exhibits such as this, showing not just the watches, but the culture and period in which they were important.”

Dell Deaton is the creator-author of JamesBondWatches.com and guest curator for this Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibition. He is a member of both the National Watch & Clock Association and American Marketing Association, and a recognized expert on Ian Fleming and James Bond horology. Previously he was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors that governs the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, and served three terms on the editorial advisory board for Exhibitor Publications.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with close to 20,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

(Yes, it's odd to make a post where one is referred to in the third person. On the other hand, it's helpful to be at a bit of an arm's length when talking about the "need" to have any issues of Playboy magazine about the place!)

Awesome stories Dell, I can't wait to see what else comes up! I love that 1016, I want one so bad!!

[promethus]

Cool! This is something I will never get to see in Singapore...

[delldeaton]

Rather than trying to re-edit what I wrote above, I thought it would be easier just to make a clean response with the picturest that went out with this press release.


Live and Let Die, original manuscript as first typed by Ian Fleming. To be loaned for display at National Watch & Clock Museum "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches" exhibit, by Lilly Library (Indiana University at Bloomington).


On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Uncorrected Proof, personal copy owned by Ian Fleming. To be loaned for display at National Watch & Clock Museum "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches" exhibit, by Lilly Library (Indiana University at Bloomington).

As a side note, estimates are that anywhere between 50 and 100 copies of the Uncorrected Proof were bound; the best guess is 150. They are surprisingly not popular among collectors, altho more rare and ostensibly true first editions. By this point in Mr. Fleming's career, these would not only have been produced for actual "proofing" purposes, but also for distribution to folks writing reviews of the upcoming book.


On Her Majesty's Secret Service, as bound by Ian Fleming for his personal collection. To be loaned for display at National Watch & Clock Museum "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches" exhibit, by Lilly Library (Indiana University at Bloomington).

We felt that having visuals was important to building excitement for this aspect of the project. But, of course, nothing compares to what you'll see when they are displayed: Open to the actual text! It really takes this all back to Goldeneye in Jamaica, where James Bond was created.

I suppose it's safe to acknowledge here among friends that there's a lot to be said about Rolex here, and in particularly the literary 007 watch.

But who's gonna complain about that here?

[DSJ]

Very cool Dell, I always thought the original Bond wore an Explorer? That's what I remember when reading the books as a kid.

[therolexguy]

Hope I can somehow get out there to check it out. I love the James Bond stuff.

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by DSJ

Very cool Dell, I always thought the original Bond wore an Explorer? That's what I remember when reading the books as a kid.

Correct.



Earlier this year, I wrote an article on that very subject which may be of interest to you. It's been discussed quite a bit here on TRF, but in case you missed it, here's a link to the entire article (*.pdf) online.

Discovered: James Bond's Rolex

Originally Posted by therolexguy

Hope I can somehow get out there to check it out. I love the James Bond stuff.

Although the exhibit will be open for the better part of a year, I'm hoping that a lot of my Forum friends will be there for the grand opening on June 17. It's slated to coincide with the first day of the National Watch & Clock Collectors annual convention, and we're really looking forward to making this a big unveiling!

[DSJ]

Great article, Dell, not sure how I missed it. Oh and fitting that my post #35 in this thread was #7,000 for me!

[delldeaton]

As this seems to have become the de facto NAWCC Thread, I thought you all might be interested in some updated information from my presentation at National last summer.

With a little bit of effort and experimentation, I've mated audio to the PowerPoint presentation I created for that, and converted it to video for upload to YouTube. Because of file-size constraints, I've divided it into six parts; Part 1 is here.

"Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?"



(If there's a better way to Post / display YouTube videos here on TRF, by all means please do let me know.)

As always, I'm very open to any feedback you all may have.

Merry Christmas!