Rolex Outdoor Shot of the Day: Nicolas' Rolex Submariner On A Marker Matching NATO

Nicolas' Rolex Submariner

On A Marker Matching NATO

[Reference 5508: No Crown Guard]

Rolex Wrist Shot of the Day: Bernhard's 5513 Maxi Dial on an Orange NATO...

...Rolex Wrist Shot Of The Day...

Bernhard's Rolex Maxi 
Reference 5512 on a Safety Orange NATO

This is a super-cool look. The safety-orange colored NATO gives this watch an aquatic vibe and the simplicity of the Maxi Marker dial is awesome!!!

Rolex From Generation to Generation

Vintage Rolex 
From Generation to Generation

The Real James Bond Watchstrap Comes To Life

James Bond WatchStrap

Back With A Vengance

Jake's Rolex World is the place to be if you are into exploring the old-school James Bond Rolex History. I published what is considered to be the ultimate James Bond Watch History Series named The James Bond Rolex Story...The Complete History of James Bond Watches.

I am so excited to be able to finally share this updated story with you. A few years ago, Corvus Watch Company introduced a watch strap that was really fascinating. It was based upon the nylon strap that Sean Connery wore in Goldfinger.

The only challenge was that it was offered in a NATO style and an RAF style. Why was this a challenge? Because Sean Connery never wore a NATO or a RAF. Instead, Sean Connery wore a standard buckle strap. Corvus FINALLY figured out how to create a model that is identical to the original in ever way!!!

In this first image we see Sean Connery sporting his tri-strip strap while relaxing on the set of Goldfinger.

Here is a photo of the all-new "Original Movie-Style Real James Bond Watchband" made by Corvus. If you examine it closely it is identical in every way to Sean Connery's, including the self-fabric keeper and the buckle. Click here to check out the strap on the Corvus site.

In this next photo, I am wearing the all-new Corvus "Original Movie-Style Real James Bond Watchband", on a vintage Rolex Submariner Reference 5512 from 1967, and it looks amazing in person!!!

I wrote the article below several years ago when Corvus came out with the NATO and Corvus versions which were commonly referred to as The Real Bond NATO. This following article will give you a keen insight into the history of this strap.

The Real James Bond Watchstrap

Comes To Life

Jake's Rolex Watch Blog has often been referred to by its readers as The Bible Of Rolex. I have never referred to it this way, but I believe readers do because I specialize in separating the fact from the fiction in Rolex folklore and I am happy to once again do so.

Let's go back to the origin of this story. In the first two James Bond Movies, Sean Connery played James Bond and he wore a Rolex Submariner as Ian Flemming intended him to. In 1964 Sean Connery once again played James Bond in Goldfinger as seen in the screenshot below.

In Goldfinger there are several scenes where there are close-ups of his Submariner Big Crown Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538]. This Submariner had a big crown and no crown guards. Sean Connery also wears this watch on a nylon diving strap as you can see in the next two photos. For some reason the strap is 16mm and does not properly fit between the 20mm lugs on his Rolex.

There has been much speculation about why the strap is only 16mm and I believe it is because Rolex watches were unusually large at the time and the producers of the movie could not find a 20mm nylon strap, so they used a 16mm which was as close as they could get. Ironically Golfinger was filmed before NATO straps were developed.

Why a Nylon strap? In the opening scene in Goldfinger, James has to wear his Rolex Submariner over his diving suit as seen in the photo below. When I first started writing about this watch, I pointed out in previous articles that the strap consisted of three colors, Dark Navy Blue; Dark Olive and fine Burgundy stripes as seen in the photos above and below.

The Fake James Bond Watchstrap

For many years people have been selling the strap seen below as the James Bond NATO. The supreme irony is NO James Bond ever wore a NATO strap in a James Bond movie and the strap below is the wrong colors and wrong pattern. The strap below is grey and black with 5 total stripes. The Real Bond Strap is 9 stripes and is Navy Blue, Olive and Burgundy.

The Most Supreme Irony

The most supreme irony is Daniel Craig, who currently plays James Bond wears a Rolex Big Crown 6538 that was given to him by the current producer of the James Bond movies, Barbara Broccoli–who is the daughter of the original James Bond producer, Albert "Cubby" Broccoli.

As you can see Daniel Craig is wearing the 6538 Submariner "Big Crown" on his wrist below on a grey and black NATO strap. What makes this so ironic is the myth became the truth and even Daniel Craig fell for it. In other words, NO James Bond actor in history ever wore a NATO strap and Sean Connery never wore a grey and black nylon strap.

The Real Deal

Many months ago I recieved an email from two brothers, Tom and Cam, who own The Corvus Watch Company. Cam mentioned he noticed, as had I, the fake straps that had been selling had nothing to do with James Bond and he decided to bring the real one to life!!!

I was very excited because there were many of us who wanted the real deal. Cam is an amazing guy and his Corvus Watch Company is also very impressive. We will take a look at Corvus and Cam in more detail later in this article.

Withouth further ado, lets take a look at the Real James Bond NATO. Actually, Cam pointed out that since no James Bond ever wore a NATO strap he was perplexed about what to do, so he decided to make a real NATO version of the strap along with a RAF version that is more similar to the one Sean Connery wore. Cam even has them made in Wales by Phoenix Straps which is the official maker of NATO straps for the British Ministry Of Defense.

I must begin by thanking my Pal Eric Ku for allowing me to use some of his amazing vintage Rolex watches for this photo shoot. Eric Ku is California's Premier Vintage Rolex Dealer and you can see his great watches vintage Rolex watches at 10PastTen.com or by clicking here.

The watch in the photo above and bellow is very similar to the Big Crown Submariner Sean Connery wore in Goldfinger.

When I was at Eric Ku's office, I could not resist putting the RAF version on this very rare and collectable "Milsub" [Reference 5517]. It just goes to show this strap looks great on any Rolex.

The Pussy

In the James Bond movie, Goldfinger, James Bond decides he is going to seduce a lesbian named Pussy Galore and in the end he does. Pussy is Goldfinger's private pilot and her character was the first I know of in a movie where a woman wore a mans Rolex Sport Watch.

The Coke Rolex GMT Master [Reference 6542] that Pussy Galore wore in Goldfinger is pictured below on her wrist, so of course when I noticed Eric Ku had one, I had to put in on the strap as seen above.

You can learn more about the Real James Bond NATO Watchstrap and order them for yourself by clicking here.

The Corvus Watch Company

As I previously mentioned, brothers, Cam and Tom own the Corvus Watch Company and they recently came out with his first American Military wristwatch homage called The Bradley Dive Watch and it is based on a U.S. Navy specification from the late 1950s. Of course they all come standard with a Real Bond NATO Watchstrap.

Although The Bradley Dive Watch is based upon a Blancpain Tornek-Rayville TR-900 prototype, Cam and Tom have gone far, far beyond by incorporating some really innovative technology into the watch.

The Bradley Dive Watch has an amazing lume pattern as you can see below which includes a lumed bezel insert that glows in two different colors. For whatever it is worth, I think Cam and Tome charge way too little for their Bradley Diver, but that is their choice. You can learn more about the Corvus Bradley Dive Watch by clicking here.

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day: Adam's Orange Hand Explorer II on a NATA Strap

...Tangerine Dream...

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day

Adam's Orange Hand Explorer II on a NATA Strap

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day: A Minty Italian White Gold Daytona

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day

A Minty Italian White Gold Daytona Dial

Roberto from Italy takes some of the most interesting Rolex photos, and he never ceases to impress with his unusual combinations, like this aqua-green NATO on a stainless steel Rolex Daytona with a diamond dial that would typically be found on a White Gold Daytona.

Rolex Wrist Shot Of The Day: Andre's Polar White Rolex Explorer II: Red, White & Blue NATO Strap

Rolex Wrist Shot Of The Day

Andre's Polar White Rolex Explorer II

Red, White & Blue NATO Strap

Andre is from Helsinki, Finland and the took this great photo of this Polar White Rolex Explorer II on a red, white and blue NATO.

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day: Raul's Submariner on an Orange NATO Strap Reference 1680

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day

Raul's Submariner on an Orange NATO Strap

[Reference 1680]

Captain James Hulme Rolex Out In The Field Of Duty In Afghanistan

Rolex In The Field Of Duty In Afghanistan

United Kingdom's Household Cavalry

Rolex Datejust On A NATO Strap

James who is a Captain from the United Kingdom's Cavalry sent in this fascinating photo with the following note:

Hi Jake,

I've been a big fan of Jake's Rolex World Magazine for ages.

I'm an Officer in the British army in a unit called the Household Cavalry. I was recently on a fairly eventful and action packed Operational Tour to Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

I took a photo of my Oyster Perpetual Day Date, silver striped face, with a black webbing strap. I thought that it looked quite smart. Anyway, a great watch, I've worn it not-stop for the last five years, and it has seen some hard hits. Assault courses, ambushes, fire-fights.

I also own an 18k yellow gold Submariner–needless to say, I don't wear that one in the army, shame, I think it would make quite an amusing photo.

Keep up the good work with the site.

Best Regards,

Captain James XXXXX

The Household Cavalry

United Kingdom

Rolex Wrist-Shot Of The Day: Dan Pierce's Rolex GMT Master II

Rolex Wrist Shot Of The Day

Dan "Nylon-Nation" Pierce

[Pepsi GMT Master II: Reference 16710]

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day Francesco's 5512 Submariner On A Nato

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day

Francesco's 5512 Submariner On A Nato

Dana's Blueberry GMT Master On a NATO...

Dana's Blueberry GMT Master

Recently we saw another Blueberry GMT. The thing that makes it a blueberry versus a Pepsi, Coke or Espresso GMT is the very rare and unusual blue bezel insert which is very, very cool. I really love this look and think Rolex should bring it back...

Wrist Shot Of The Day: Blacked Out Milgauss

Wrist Shot Of The Day

Blacked Out Milgauss

On A Blacked Out NATO

Wrist Shot Of The Day: Andrews Rolex Chronograph On a NATO Strap

Andrew's Rolex Chronograph On a NATO Strap

That's a pretty tight look: the black dial with the simple bezel on the black NATO with the 1000 Units Tachymeter Scale on the dial along with the pushbutton chrono pushers. Gives the watch a vintage military vibe. Very cool!!!!

Quantities of Quality: Mike Wood's Milsubs...

Quantities of Quality

Mike Wood's Milsubs

If you don't know what a Milsub is don't worry about it. If you know what a Milsub is–stop drooling all over yourself...

Rolex Wrist Shot of the Day: Submariner Superdome...

Submariner Superdome

This photograph of a Rolex Submariner on a NATO strap shows off the great lines of g-comex's 5513. Superdome crystals are really cool...

Need NATO's?

Need NATO's?

Roy Taylor at RLTWatches.co.uk has a big selection of NATO straps as well as all kinds of other straps and watches. You can visit his website at www.RLTWatches.co.uk. Roy ships all over the world and has very reasonable prices. Roy is also a really nice guy.

Rolex Lume Shot of the Day: Macbook Pro Submariner...

Macbook Pro NATO Lume Shot

Photo Credit: Roland

The First and only NATO Submariner...

The First and only NATO Submariner

NATO straps are very popular today as an accessory strap for Rolex Submariner's. Many vendor's sell straps they refer to as a "James Bond NATO" but as we proved on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog no James Bond Character EVER wore a NATO strap-EVER. Let me repeat for clarity sake: No actor that ever played James Bond in any James Bond movie EVER wore a NATO strap–Ever. Never-ever.

The "James Bond NATO" is an urban legend that has been perpetuated just like the false dubbing of the "Steve McQueen Explorer II [Reference 1655]" and "John-Claude Killy Triple-Date [Reference 6263]" which both have no basis in reality.

I defy anybody to produce a photo of Steve McQueen wearing an Explorer or Jean-Claude Killy wearing a Triple Date.

By the way, the supreme irony in all this is Jean-Claude Killy actually wore a Rolex Explorer II [Reference 1655]. I know because there are 3 different vintage Jean-Claude Killy ads on the blog and one shows the 1655 on his wrist and Rolex says in the other two that Jean-Claude wears a 1655 Explorer!!! You can see the first Jean-Claude Killy Rolex ad by clicking here, the second one by clicking here, and the third one by clicking here.

The supreme irony of course is that Jean-Claude Killy wore the Rolex Explorer II [Reference 1655, Orange Hand] that was falsely dubbed "The Steve McQueen." It really should be "The Jean-Claude Killy Explorer II [Reference 1655].

(Since I got sidetracked on the Rolex urban myth subject, I also defy anybody to produce a photo of U.S. General and President, Dwight D. Eisenhower wearing a Rolex "President" a.k.a Day-Date. Eisenhower only ever wore his beloved yellow gold Rolex Datejust–only.)

There is only one example of Rolex advertising (that I know of) which shows ANY Rolex on a NATO strap and you are looking at it below (The British Royal Navy MCD (Minewarfare and Clearance Diving) diver or "frogman" on the cover is wearing his Submariner on a Nylon NATO strap. I can't see enough detail but he may be wearing a 5517 Milsub (Military Submariner) which has fixed lugs, sword hands, a tritium "T" in a circle designation on the dial and a bezel with indices for all 60 seconds. The Milsub is one of the coolest looking Submariner watches I have ever seen and they are extremely rare.

Here is an example of a magnificent Milsub that I took at the last San Francisco GTG at Perry's. This beauty belongs to Eric Ku of 10PastTEN.com. Notice it has spring-bar holes since the lugs are soldered into the watch. This means you will only ever see this watch on a NATO strap or on a belt strap.

The San Francisco GTG was the first time I ever saw a Mislub in person and it blew my mind how cool looking and modern it was. Rolex only started making Submariners without the spring-bar hole a few years ago, but his watch had them back in 1969. In my mind, the lack of holes (as you can see in the photo below) give the watch a really clean, modern, streamlined look.

This Rolex brochure was printed in 1969 and shows a Reference 5513 Rolex Submariner, which, by the way, is identical in every way to the the real Rolex Steve McQueen Submariner [Rolex Refernce 5512] model except McQueen's had a COSC certification and the 5513 did not.

Very cool vintage Rolex Submariner brochure!!!

Note: If your are not familiar with what a NATO strap is, or if you just want to see photos of Rolex watches on NATO straps, scroll to the bottom of this post and click on the LABEL named "NATO Strap."

Rolex Wrist Shot of the Day: Paul Newman Exotic Dial Daytona on a NATO Strap...

Vintage Daytona on a NATO

Werner took this great wrist shot of his vintage Daytona on a NATO strap.