14 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

Now on the CBn main page...

'Where Would James Bond Be Without His Wristwatch?'

Presentation at Watch and Clock Collectors Convention in Michigan; 13 June

[[dark]]

Probably in the same place, but a bit late.

[Dell Deaton]

Thanks, Devin.

For those who will be in Grand Rapids during the show, it would be great to get together. I'm arriving on Thursday (to set up a special display of James Bond watch models that's been requested). Other than some meetings and interviews I've already booked, I'll make time in my schedule for my Forum friends!

On a related matter, also wanted to let you know that a follow up to my February 2009 WatchTime article, "Discovered: James Bond's Rolex," is at the printer now and will be published in time for the NAWCC convention in June.

Snip from proof copy of article

At this point I'm rather limited in what I can say, as before. But what I can share with you all is that this is that there are two big revelations here, no doubt meaning a bit of controversy for some.

Hope to see some of you here in Michigan a little over a month from now.

[Matt_13]

Probably in the same place, but a bit late.

That made me smile. Thank you.

[double o ego]

Please, take pictures or even video footage if possible.

[Dell Deaton]

Please, take pictures or even video footage if possible.

Thanks for the suggestion; I'll check into it and report back.

As it happens, this isn't the first time this has come up. I've been asked to consider having it recorded for Podcast. Subject to respecting the rights of various folks involved in putting this all together, audio content may be available on the Web.

Not like there's any substitute for being there.

[Dell Deaton]

Please, take pictures or even video footage if possible.

Update:

The 64th Annual National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Convention was a
truly great time last week! Among other things, it provided an opportunity to take
the pulse of interest for the NAWCC year-long exhibition of James Bond watches that
opens next June.

*** AUDIO AVAILABLE ***

My Saturday presentation titled, "Where would James Bond be without his
wristwatch?" was recorded. So I'll let you all know where and when that will be
available for download. Further out, NAWCC staff has asked me to make the complete
PowerPoint presentation that accompanied what I said available through their
website.



Noel Poirier, Director of the National Watch and Clock Museum, introduced me. Among
his remarks, he was extremely complimentary of CommanderBond.net in particular, and
the interest the NAWCC has been receiving vis-a-vis Agent 007 from you all.
So I wanted to pass that high praise along.

Further (as may not surprise you), there was a separate room set up with field
displays for exhibit throughout the show. Among a rare case of pocket watches not
seen by the public for half-a-century, a dedicated area for James Bond-related
watch models and memorabilia was available for view throughout the conference run.
Everything authentic, of course: Subject to feedback from the most expert horology
eyes anywhere!

Twenty-four hour security was quite impressive. And, as one of the officers later
told me, the James Bond case was openned for individual piece reviews more than any
other.



One night after the industry Banquet and Awards Dinner, I was headed back to my
hotel room when the exhibits manager asked if I had time to give a special VIP
discussion of Bond watches. That, and the several others that I conducted ad hoc
once word of "the midnight showing" got out, were real highlights of the
convention for me. It really goes to the heart of why I collect and write about
this subject: Because it makes me happy, and brings a lot of joy to others as well.

Thanks, CBn, for letting me share this update.

Also see NAWCC website for further details of the 2010-2011 exhibit in coming
months. LINK

Edited by Dell Deaton, 15 June 2009 - 07:08 PM.

[Dell Deaton]

Please, take pictures or even video footage if possible.

Finally got around to connecting audio to the original PowerPoint presentation on this and converting that package to video for upload to YouTube. Still "beta" in my efforts here, but the following should get you to Part 1.

More to come--.

"Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" on YouTube

PS: Any advice on Posting YouTube videos directly to CBn would, of course, be appreciated.

PPS: Per much appreciated direction from "Professor Dent," here's the YouTube embed.

Edited by Dell Deaton, 24 December 2009 - 03:25 AM.

[Dell Deaton]

And here's Part 2 of 6....

[Dell Deaton]

Part 3 of 6 is now available on YouTube.



This one is likely to stir a bit of, um, "discussion," as it provides references to published documentation on an analysis of the Rolex Submariner and the Sean Connery James Bond in Dr. No, Goldfinger, and Thunderball. This dates to October of 2004, which is obviously well-before some of the other claims on the Internet seeking to establish credit and credibility for these findings (without, not surprisingly, even referencing the true original source from WatchTime magazine).

The radioactive decay sequence for Radium 226 -> Radon (per 1600-year half-life) is another of those really great serendipitous tangents to James Bond and Ian Fleming studies.

Mr. Fleming clearly understood this. He wrote about testing a Geiger Counter against the radioactive dial of a watch in Thunderball (the novel). This was a standard up 'til right about that time, ubiquitous in watch-making (a detail that's missed by those who claim that "glowing dial must equal Rolex" in Ian Fleming wristwatch references).

For the movie-going side, this substantiates the Geiger Counter test in Dr. No. The watch worn in that film obviously had a Radium 226 dial. Thus, the original movie-Bond Rolex Submariner in the 1962 film and the literary-Bond Rolex Explorer in the 1963 novel shared this common trait.

The entire presentation isn't this technical. But I felt it important to share at least some of this side of the study for those who have the passion. And, as I said in Grand Rapids at the time, if nothing else, it's gives a bit of something with which you can impress your friends at parties!

[Dell Deaton]

"Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" part 4 of 6, now on YouTube.

This one wraps up the "pinball effect" of James Bond watch collecting with much lighter topics than Part 3. Included here is a chart that looks at "Watch gadgets per Bond actor" in the EON Productions films, and the one James Bond watch joke I've heard.

It then gets into some fun examples of how interest in 007-related collecting begins, including the Aston Martin DB5 and Bond girls. I associate Barbara Bach with my first "grail" watch, the "Atlantis SEIKO" 0674 (correctly noting the first digit as the number 0, as opposed to a capital letter O, as some mistakenly reference it - as in Octopussy, perhaps?). Then a bit about why the Omega 2531.80 Seamaster will always have a special place in my heart.

Then we get into how James Bond Watches necessarily morphed from pure original research and history reporting to the news thrust. This touches on how I became the first to identify the Omega 2900.50.91 Seamaster Planet Ocean worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale.

And the skepticism which cost a lot of people a great opportunity with the "Casino Royale" 2907.50.91 Limited, which so many insisted could not possibly exist.

Until in time came the proof.

Post Script: A minor holiday glitch with the folks doing the processing of these modules for YouTube update slowed things just a bit. But we should be on track now to complete all six Posts here by year-end. Thanks for your patience.

[Jim]

...the "Atlantis SEIKO" 0674 (correctly noting the first digit as the number 0, as opposed to a capital letter O, as some mistakenly reference it

Useless ers, eh? Tchoh!

[Dell Deaton]

...the "Atlantis SEIKO" 0674 (correctly noting the first digit as the number 0, as opposed to a capital letter O, as some mistakenly reference it

Useless ers, eh? Tchoh!

Exactly.

PS: Silly details like this also make it difficult for folks trying to look up documentation; you know, the same pesky types who read instruction manuals and try to make sure their household devices aren't simply blinking "12:00" all the time.

[Dell Deaton]

"Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?"

Part 5 of 6 now available on YouTube.



In many ways, this was sorta the climax of my presentation at the 64th Annual Convention for the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Yeah, sure: "Horology." So, true: There is a fair amount of detail stuff here related to the original, literary James Bond watch, including a discussion of documentation from Rolex and modifications made prior to its display at the Imperial War Museum in conjunction with The Ian Fleming Centenary. It you're a watch person, it's an opportunity to get further into the substance of what couldn't be included in my February 2009 WatchTime article.

But as a James Bond fan, it's also meant an opportunity to get really close to one of those rare, substantiated tangents between Ian Fleming and his creation. I've always felt that this watch was a unique touchstone in that regard; for me, a way of remembering what all of my interests really come down to.

Part 5 then concludes with a bookend, which touches on the increasingly-used labeling system for EON Productions movie watches, which is important to collectors as well as general news source references now. Some pricing information is presented, as well as an item sale from the April 14-15, 2007, "Omegamania" auction by Antiquorum.

[Dell Deaton]

The complete series from "Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" is now available on YouTube. Part 6 of 6 is Posted here, below.



A couple of notes in summary for the CommanderBond.net Forum.

YouTube

All of my videos are indexed under the name "jamesbondwatches" on YouTube. That Page also notes my favorites and, well, you all know how YouTube works.

authorSTREAM

Before uploading my PowerPoint presentation (in parts), I converted it with embedded audio using authorSTREAM. This is what I've linked to from my Blog; YouTube is more established and offers a better reach, but it seems that for now authorSTREAM has the advantage on video quality (eg, you should be able to view this presentation full-screen, at its original resolution - depending on your system).

All of my videos there are indexed under the name "delldeaton" on authorSTREAM.

Thanks for following along with me on this.

Happy New Year to my good friends on CBn as we now close out the final hours of 2009 here!