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Ian Fleming’s character James Bond has always been
associated with the finest of everything; cars, clothes and, of course,
watches. The National Watch & Clock Museum will be presenting an exhibit
opening in the summer of 2010 that will explore the subject of the watches
of James Bond. The exhibit, Watches, James Bond Watches, will feature the
watch that provided the inspiration for James Bond’s wristwatch: Ian
Fleming’s own Rolex Explorer. This wristwatch was recently identified by
Dell Deaton of
www.jamesbondwatches.com, as the original, literary James Bond watch
in his recent article for WatchTime magazine. Mr. Deaton is serving
as the National Watch & Clock Museum’s Guest Curator for the exhibit; it
was through his direct work with Fleming heirs that the display of this
important and historical timepiece is possible. |
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This
is the first time that Ian Fleming’s watch has been exhibited in the
United States. The watch was recently on display at the Imperial War
Museum in London, featured in an exhibit on the life and work of Ian
Fleming. Fionn Morgan, Ian Fleming’s stepdaughter, states “Ian would have
enjoyed the idea of displaying his own Oyster Perpetual as part of an
exhibition of James Bond watches… It is wonderful to see the James Bond
legacy presented through the watches that this character has worn. It is
further most gratifying to see Ian’s Explorer number 1016 displayed as the
origin of this long and continuous chronology. Collectors and the public
will learn a lot through this exhibition.”
“The National Watch &
Clock Museum is honoured to be able to display Mr. Fleming’s watch” Museum
Director Noel Poirier comments, “and we are thankful to the Fleming family
for allowing this one of a kind object to be a part of the Bond watch
exhibit.” The exhibit will also include examples of the watches worn
throughout the James Bond novels and motion pictures. Additionally,
memorabilia from fans of the character will also be included in the
exhibit. |
