Watch of the Month #7 James Bond "Meet me at the rock"

[phillip ridley]

This month W.I. is showcasing a 1959 6538 Rolex Submariner, commonly known as the “James Bond” watch. The identifying features of the 6538 are the Brevet Crown which was created to insure seal integrity for deep water dives and the Radium Dial with a Chapter Ring.

Due to its diving depths, in 1955 the British Royal Navy selected the 6538 as its official watch, followed by the Royal Canadian Navy in 1956. The military version has an identification number and a service number engraved on the case back. In 1959, the wording “Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified” was added to the dial (shown in the photos below). The term “Brevet”, in short, is a military term meaning “a military commission for outstanding service”.

It was Ian Fleming’s decision that the Rolex Submariner was the “James Bond “watch of choice. “He could not just wear a watch” wrote Fleming in his book Casino Royale, “it had to be a Rolex”. In 1962 with the release of “Dr. No” with Sean Connery in the lead role, did the 6538 become a fashion icon and true collector’s piece.

At the end, you will see a couple 6538's with different fonts.

In memory of Sir Roger Moore

[Sky21]

Awesome pictures, thanks for posting this in memory of Sir Roger Moore.

[KarlFr]

Very nice and than you for sharing

[japenney]

beautiful and thanks for sharing.

[Rebel]

Thanks.

[sea-dweller]

Thanks for sharing!

[sensui]

Wow....the crazy pieces you come across as a watchmaker....thanks for sharing.

[waspy1]

I've never heard that definition of Brevet but on checking you are indeed correct. It also means 'patent' in French though so I believe it's probably this reason
why the crown and case are marked thus.


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[phillip ridley]

[QUOTE=waspy1;7634186]I've never heard that definition of Brevet but on checking you are indeed correct. It also means 'patent' in French though so I believe it's probably this reason
why the crown and case are marked thus.

What I understand in so many words, is that a Sergeant could be promoted to a Lieutenant, but this would only be recorded on paper, not as far as pay. Brevet in so many words means the same, it was an upgraded crown showing it was capable of more.

[BNA/LION]

That was Great! Thanks for sharing!

[locutus49]

Most excellent. I read Ian Fleming's biography and knew he wore Rolexes himself. Thanks for a great post.

[madonofrio]

Beautiful but still very unlikely that Fleming's Bond wore a Sub and not a 1016!

[waspy1]

[QUOTE=phillip ridley;7634324]

Originally Posted by waspy1

I've never heard that definition of Brevet but on checking you are indeed correct. It also means 'patent' in French though so I believe it's probably this reason

why the crown and case are marked thus.



What I understand in so many words, is that a Sergeant could be promoted to a Lieutenant, but this would only be recorded on paper, not as far as pay. Brevet in so many words means the same, it was an upgraded crown showing it was capable of more.

Interesting.


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[Blakerhodes]

Fantastic work

[Glyph]

On a related subject, The Rolex Submariner 6538 was first used as James Bond's watch in Dr. No. Hodinkee Posted their Friday Live Episode 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl41utQEU14 yesterday, May 26,2017 and voted the 6538 their second favorite Bond watch (The Late Roger Moore was honored at #1 for his Magnetic Buzz Saw 5513 from Live and Let Die, Rest in Peace Sir Roger!)

[Glyph]

Another point about the James Bond 6538 is that Commander Bond played by the dashing & iconic Sir Sean Connery wore the 6538 in Dr. No on what appeared to be a leather strap in pictures I found on the net. The Question I have is about Bond's watch from the 3rd Film in the series (My Personal favorite Bond Film, it was the first one I ever saw). Bond famously wears the Sub ref 6538 on a regimental strap in Navy, Green and Claret colors, and not a Gray and Black Nato as is so often incorrectly stated.
My question is why the watch was mounted on a strap that is visibly and obviously too small for the 20mm lugs, The Regimental strap appears to be between 16 and 18mm in width.
Does anyone have any source for an answer to this mystery?



The Leather Strap from Dr No


The Skinny Regimental from GoldFinger
https://www.fratellowatches.com/jame...lways-stylish/

[Glyph]

On a related subject, The Rolex Submariner 6538 was first used as James Bond's watch in Dr. No. Hodinkee Posted their Friday Live Episode 6 yesterday , May 26, 2017 and voted the 6538 their second favorite Bond watch (The Late Roger Moore was honored at #1 for his Magnetic Buzz Saw 5513 from Live and Let Die, Rest in Peace Sir Roger!) See link to episode below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl41utQEU14

[Glyph]

@Madonofrio: I hear what you are saying about the Fleming's Bond in the Novels and Short Stories but I think the point that was being made here was that the Submariner Reference 6538 is the James Bond Sub of the Film Series. Fleming wore an Explorer Ref 1016 which is actually in the portrait of him by his personal friend Charles Amherst Viliers a painter who began his career as a modifier of automobiles. Villers designed the car Malcolm Campbell drove to the land speed record in 1927. Villers portrait of Fleming hangs in the British National Portrait Gallery.