NASA Rolex Coolness: Captain James Lovell...

Rolex X-Files

The Right Stuff

James Lovell

Belongs To The Ages

1928-2025

NASA Apollo Astronaut

It is with deep regret I report the passing of James Lovell, who was one of the most accomplished and beloved NASA Astronauts who depended on Rolex to keep the time of this life for 6 decades. This article offers a historical overview of many of Lovell's lifetime achievements. 

Explorer Club Medal Award

My pal, David Concannon, who among other things is a fellow Rolex fanatic of the highest order, sent in some great photos from the Explorers Club in New York that show legendary NASA Astronaut James Lovell at a special luncheon in his honor, that took place before the awards ceremony that presented Captian James Lovell with the Explorers Club medal back in March of 2018. In the photo below we see James Lovell, David Concannon and Mike Massimino who was a U.S. Space Shuttle Astronaut.

David Concannon is a lawyer who specializes in exploration, and he is also an avid explorer himself, having spearheaded many submarine expeditions to visit and explore the Titanic in its watery grave. David is also famous for having helped Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon with his special project to recover all the Apollo F-1 engines.

Another Rolex Mystery Solved

David Concannon snapped the photo below during the Explorers Club luncheon of NASA Astronaut, James Lovel showing off his vintage Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master.

David Concannon took this close-up wrist shot of James Lovell's Pepsi GMT, and notice on the left side of the dial, there is a U.S. Naval Academy Crest. Another Rolex mystery has been solved, and the mystery question was: "Where did James Lovell get this interesting Rolex with the unusual Naval Academy Crest."

David Concannon just solved that mystery and the answer is that James Lovell confirmed that his Rolex was a gift from the Naval Academy to honor him after his first Gemini Flight. Notice Lovell ended up rocking his Pepsi GMT-Master on a Rolex Jubilee bracelet, despite the fact he originally wore it on a Rolex Oyster bracelet.

Apollo 8 crew members Bill Anders and Frank Borman are pictured below on the left wearing their MA-1 flight jackets, which became the standard issue for the U.S. Air Force and Navy Pilots, and ground crew. These flight jackets were designed to be worn in temperatures of 15 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and featured a knitted wool collar with matching cuffs. 

James Lovell who was a fighter pilot and test pilot in the U.S. Navy is pictured below with fellow Apollo 8 crew members, Bill Anders and Frank Borman. Notice James Lovell is wearing the exact same Rolex GMT Master in the photo below, as in the photos above.

In the photo below we see James Lovell on the far left wearing his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master standing with Apollo 8 crew mission members, Bill Anders and Frank Borman in front of their Apollo 8 Rocket. Frank Boarman is pictured wearing a classic Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, which is very cool.

In the photo below we get a closer look at James Lovell's GMT-Master. It's interesting to note when he first started wearing his PEPSI GMT-Master back in the 1960s, he wore it on an Oyster Bracelet, and in recent years, we changed his bracelet to a Rolex Jubilee bracelet.

Real Astronauts & Test Pilots Wear Rolex

NASA Rolex Coolness: Captain James Lovell

[Pepsi GMT-Master On A Rolex Jubilee Bracelet]

Just in-case you are new to Jake's Rolex World, I will give you some detail on why this first photo is so profound. As most people know Omega was chosen to be the official watch of NASA during the Apollo program, but the really strange thing, is that years ago, when I started digging through the NASA Archives, I kept finding photos of Test Pilots as well as NASA Apollo Astronauts wearing Rolex GMT-Master watches to the Moon and back!!! Of course, I was shocked at first, but not surprised!!!

Recent Kennedy Space Center Photo Of NASA Apollo 13 Mission Commander James Lovell Wearing His Vintage Pepsi GMT Master

James Lovell is a member of the 50 Years wearing a Rolex Club, and from what I have observed, he wore it for at least 59 years—minimum, but more than likely wore it over 7 decades.

Real Astronauts & Test Pilots Prefer Pepsi

And An Occasional Mocha And Lacoste Alligators

One thing led to another and I found out that many, many of the Apollo astronauts were not only wearing their personal Rolex GMT-Master watches to the moon and back, but in their personal lives. So far, I have documented the following NASA Astronauts wearing Rolex Watches:

• Chuck Yeager of Edwards Air Force Base was first to break sound barrier in 1947 while wearing a Rolex Perpetual Oyster.
• William Knight of Edwards Air Force Base Fastest manned flight of Mach 6.7 (4,250 Miles Per Hour ins X-15 which is nearly 7 times the speed of sound) in 1967.
• Scott Carpenter of Mercury 7.
• Walter Schirra of Mercury 8, Gemini 6A & Apollo 7.
• Michael Collins of Gemini 10 & Apollo 11.
• Jack Swigert of Apollo 13 (Wore to Moon).
• James Lovell was a U.S. Navy Test Pilot and went onto NASA to participate in Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 & Apollo 13 (Pictured Above).
• Stuart Roosa of Apollo 14 (Wore to Moon).
• Dr. Edgar Mitchell of Apollo 14 (Wore to Moon).
• Alan Sheppard of Mercury 3 & Apollo 14 (Worn On Cape Canaveral & Possibly To The Moon).
• Ronald Evans of Apollo 17 (Wore to Moon).
• Eugene Cernan of Gemini 9A, Apollo 10 & Apollo 17 (Worn Outside Space Suit and Possible To The Moon).
• Dr. Leroy Chaio (Wore on 3 Space Shuttle Missions and while Commander of the International Space Station Expedition 10).

The list above is not complete, and I am aware of more Rolex Moon Watch history which I will be publishing in the future. I also intend to do a future series named "The Complete History Of Rolex Watches In Space" which will tie everything together and give a holistic overview of this fascinating subject.

Below we see an image of James Lovell with Buzz Aldrin, of Apollo 11 fame, taken on November 23, 1966 at the Gemini XII post-flight press conference, taken at the Manned Spaceflight Center located in Houston, Texas, and we see Lovell rocking his Pepsi GMT-Master.

In this next image below, we see a younger NASA Apollo 13 Mission Commander, James Lovell speaking with his Apollo 13 mission astronaut, Jack Swigert who is wearing his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master in the photo. James Lovell is picture second from the left wearing the light blue Lacoste polo shirt with an alligator on it. Jack Swigert is on the far right.

In the photo below we see Apollo 13 Mission Commander, James Lovell with his fellow Apollo 13 flight crew members, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert during their Steak & Eggs breakfast as they prepare to leave for the moon.

Jack Swigert was born John Leonard Swigert on August 30, 1931 and passed away on December 27, 1982 at the young age of 51 years old. Jack was a test pilot, aerospace engineer, and U.S. Air force pilot before becoming a NASA Apollo Astronaut. Jack is one of only 24 astronauts who flew to the moon. After retiring from NASA Jack ran for Congress and won but died from cancer before being sworn in to office. Jack Swigert is pictured below as he prepared to leave for the moon wearing his Pepsi GMT-Master.

Jack Swigert's Pepsi GMT-Master he wore to the moon is pictured below as he returned it to Rolex in Geneva after his mission aboard NASAs Apollo 13.

In this next photo below, we see a close-up of Jack Swigert wearing a Lacoste polo shirt with an alligator on it and sporting his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master during the steak and eggs breakfast just before they took off for the Moon.

In the photo below we see the Apollo 13 flight team after they had returned safely to Earth. Not that Jack Swigert is wearing a yellow gold Rolex Mocha GMT on a Jubilee Bracelet. James Lovell is pictured on the far right.

In this next image we see Jack Swigert's official NASA photo and he is sporting the same yellow gold Rolex Mocha GMT-Master on a Rolex Jubilee bracelet as in the photo above.

1979 Submariner Refernce 1680 Triopical "HOT LAVA" Dial

 

DoooooooooD

Triopical "HOT LAVA" Dial

1979 Submariner Reference 1680

Just a couple of days ago, we took a look at a Rolex Day-Date with a Crazy Lapis Lazuli dial, which was stunning out of the box. Today, we are looking at a really interesting dial that took 46 years to patina to this beautifully insane state. The dial on this yellow gold 1979 Rolex Submariner has the craziest patina, and was dubbed the "HOT LAVA", and this image appears courtesy of Cameron from Craft + Tailored.

Below is the Craft + Tailored description for this unique Rolex:

This 1979 Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 in 18k is one of the most insane tropical dials we have ever seen. The original blue "nipple" dial has taken on one of the most stunning "tropical" effects showing blue, purple, red, gold and orange hence the reason we have dubbed this the "Hot Lava" dial. 

The watch is in overall stunning condition as the lugs are full and fat with all of the gold hallmarks clearly visible on the underside of the lugs. The original blue insert retains the pearl at the 12 o'clock position and the tritium filled hands show no lume loss or lume degradation. This piece is not only rare due to the fact that it is an 18K YG Ref 1680 submariner but also due to the fact that the dial has taken on such a rare and unique patina.

This is an executive and exclusive piece that is sure to turn heads and be a stand out in even the most established collection of vintage timepieces. 

Hans Wilsdorf Founder Of Rolex 1946 Rolex Jubilee Magazine Ad

Hans Wilsdorf

Founder Of Rolex

1946 Rolex Jubilee Magazine Ad

The Supremacy Of The Wristlet Watch

This Rolex Magazine advertisement from 1946 offers fascinating insight into the history of the Founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf. Basically, in this ad, Rolex tells the story of how Hans Wilsdorf invested everything he had in the belief that the wrist-watch would overtake the pocket-watch. 

It is absolutely fascinating to learn how inspired Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf was, by the American inventor, Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison is one of my heroes, as he was one of the most innovative businessmen and inventors in history!!! My favorite Thomas Edison quote is:

"There is a way to do it better—find it!!!" 

—Thomas Edison

I would also like to point out that the Rolex magazine ad from 1946 at the top of this story articulates and confirms perfectly a myth that has been correctly perpetuated for at least a decade. In other words, many, many people have passed along this story about how men wearing 'wristlets' was so unfashionable, and considered to be effeminate. This ad is super-profound as it spells out and thus confirms the story perfectly, word-for-word. It is also worth pointing out that Hans Wilsdorf was not only alive when this was published, but likely provided the ghost-writing behind it!

The Original 1945 Rolex Pre-Datejust

The Design Ethos Of Every Modern Rolex

It is amazing how timeless the original Rolex Date from 1945 is!!! Notice it lacks the Datejust designation on the dial and has no cyclops-lens on the crystal. This model was an absolute game-changer in every way, and I believe this watch represents the absolute design ethos of every modern Rolex. This includes the modern Datejust, Day-Date, Submariner, GMT-Master, Daytona, Explorer, Air-King–you name it, it all began with this harbinger.

...Everything Considered Classic Today Was Once Considered To Me Modern...

This was the first watch in the world to ad a date-window complication and Rolex introduced the Jubilee Bracelet in 1945 on this model. The reason it's named the Jubilee Bracelet is the 40th anniversary (in marriage parlance/nomenclature) is typically referred to as The Ruby Jubilee, just as the 25th is referred to as The Silver Anniversary and the 50 Anniversary is referred to as The Golden Anniversary. I also believe it was the first Rolex watch to feature solid end links.

Thomas Edison

Founder Of General Electric

As we saw in the 1945 Rolex advertisement at the top of this story, Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf was extremely inspired by Thomas Edison's amazing career achievements.

Thomas Edison is considered by many to be the greatest inventor of all-time. He invented the modern electric light bulb, the record-player, stock-ticker tape, the motion picture camera, Mechanical Vote Recorder, as well as the battery for an electric car!!! Edison was also the first person to electrify a city, which was New York.

Thomas Edison held 1,093 U.S. Patents in his name, as well as international patents in countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. 

The Thomas Edison documentary goes into great detail on many of Edison's amazing lifetime achievements:

A Most Unusual Platinum Rolex DAY-DATE

A Most Unusual Rolex

DAY-DATE

Platinum Baguette Lapis Lazuli

1990 Reference 18366

Sold for $162,000

It never ceases to amaze me how many unusual Rolex watches have been made over the past 120 years, and this beauty takes my breath away. It was just auctioned by Joopiter on July 29, for $162,000, which is not surprising.

Joopiter Described the watch:

An ultimate spec Day-Date, the reference 18366 is incredibly rare in any configuration, impossibly so when fitted with a lapis lazuli stone dial.

The true archetype for a luxury sports watch, the model was born in 1956, ever since ingrained itself within the fabric of modern culture. Nicknamed the “Presidential” or simply “Presi” — a misnomer, in fact, as the Day-Date’s standard bracelet bears the official name President, though the watch itself does not — Day-Dates have graced the wrists of figures like Martin Luther King, Gerald Ford, Jack Nicklaus, and even Tony Soprano.

Note from Jake: I have NEVER heard of the nickname "Presi", and I am 1000% certain Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., did NOT wear a Rolex DAY-DATE model, as he wore a yellow gold Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet.

None of those men had a Day-Date quite like this. The ref. 18366 is believed to have begun production in 1989, upon the release of the Rolex caliber 3155 — a “double quickset” movement with day and date adjustment via the crown. This style of baguette diamond setting on the bezel was introduced in the mid-1980s with the yellow gold ref. 18168, but this watch is one of the first crafted in platinum. 24 baguette-cut diamonds, two for each hour segment, are set lengthwise in the bezel. Thicker platinum bars denote each hour, especially useful with this dial.

Lapis lazuli dials are among the most sought-after hard-stone variations from The Crown. Beyond the incredibly rare lacquered “Stella” dials, these stone dials add a pop of color to the Day-Date, a usually austere model. Lapis lazuli features a deep blue look with unique flecks of metallic sparkle throughout — no two are the same, due to the organic nature of the stone. Due to the inherent fragility and high manufacturing cost of hard-stone dials, these are highly collectible in today’s market and likely to increase in rarity in the years to come. The dial of this ref. 18366 is notably free of cracks throughout and preserved in outstanding condition.

Conclusion

This is one seriously cool looking Rolex watch, and if you look closely at the box and papers that came with the watch, you will notice the ROLEX DAY-DATE instruction manual features a photo of then Rolex CEO, André-Jean Heiniger's Rolls Royce, which was also super cool...

Jon Rahm – Mind Over Matter

Jon RahmMind Over Matter

1965 Rolex Ladies Datejust Rudi Gernreich Ad

...Rolex Hotness..

1965 Rolex Ladies Datejust

Rudi Gernreich Ad

...Studio Shot Of The Day... Rolex Daytona

...Studio Shot Of The Day...

Red & Black Rolex Daytona

U.S. NAVY SEALS: TUDOR SUBMARINER

TUDOR SUBMARINER

U.S. NAVY SEALS

APOLLO 11 SPLASHDOWN RECOVERY

This is a story I have long been aware of, so it's nice to see Tudor finally share it publicly. I first became aware of this history when I was doing research on the U.S. NAVY SEALAB program many years ago. Tudor, which is a brand that has been owned by Rolex for many, many decades, just came out with this super-cool documentary, about U.S. Navy Seals who were issued Tudor Submariner models, and who they wore then during "Splashdown" for the NASA Apollo 11 Program.

More than half a century ago, mankind returned from the moon and landed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Today, in “Splashdown”, we tell the little-known story of the Navy UDT-SEAL frogmen - and their issued TUDOR watches - who recovered the astronauts throughout the space program in the 1960s and '70s.

Chapter 3: Sean Connery–The Original James Bond

Sir Sean Connery

1930-2020

Nobody Did It Better

Note: I just completed a major update on this story that includes all kinds of fascinating new photos and information.

Sir Sean Connery passed away at age 90 on October 31, 2020. Sean Connery in his role as the original James Bond actor served to make him not only a high-priest of Rolex that will forever by associated with the Rolex Submariner model "Big Crown" [Reference 6358], but also as a King of Cool. I would argue Sean Connery is the Submariner what Paul Newman was to the Daytona.

My goal with this chapter of James Bond Rolex history is to accurately contextualizes Sean Connery's career wearing his super-iconic "Big Crown" Rolex Submariner.

...The James Bond Rolex Story...

The Complete History Of James Bond Watches

Including ALL Watches Worn In All James Bond Movies

The Definitive Guide

Chapter 3: Sean Connery–The Original James Bond

The Watches Of James Bond

My goal with this series of articles on James Bond and Rolex is to put together a definitive article that shows every watch James Bond wears in every movie–including all non-Rolex watches, which include Omega, Breitling, and Seiko.

Let's begin with the following short list below that shows how many times each actor played James Bond. Some people would argue that the Original Casino Royale does not belong in this story because it is a spoof. They might also argue that since Never Say Never starring Sean Connery is not an EON Production it is not a real James Bond movie. I decided to cover every movie that revolves around a character named James Bond for the sake of leaving no stone unturned.

I have written a lot about James Bond in the past, but I intend to make this the definitive article that contains all the watch specific information. One of the reasons I am taking this approach is because I often forget the order in which each James Bond movie appears and what watch he wore.

Roger Moore: 7 Movies Appointed Knight Commander of the British Empire.

Sean Connery: 7 Movies Appointed Knight Commander of the British Empire.

Pierce Brosnan: 4 Movies

Timothy Dalton: 2 Movies

Daniel Craig: 2 Movies

George Lazenby: 1 Movie

Peter Sellers: 1 Movie

David Niven: 1 Movie

List of All Watches Worn In James Bond Films

Movie #1. Dr. No [Sean Connery,1st] 1962

• Rolex Submariner [Reference 6358]

Dr. No was the first James Bond movie made for the big screen. It was released the same day as the Beatles first single and stared Sean Connery as James Bond. 

The year was 1962 and JFK was in the white house. The Space Race was moving full speed ahead. The first James Bond movie starred Sean Connery and Ursula Andress was made with a budget of $1 Million.

Sean Connery is pictured below on the set of Goldfinger wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538] on a regimental strap.

James Bond Wears Rolex

The Man With The Top-Secret Job Wears A Rolex

New Scientist: September 12, 1963

This ad is another fascinating piece in the James Bond puzzle. The very first James Bond movie named Dr. No was released in 1962 and Sean Connery wore a Rolex Submariner. This is the first Rolex ad I know of that appears to play on the appeal of a James Bond persona. It was published in England in 1963

If you scroll back up this page 6 images, you see a screen capture from the 1962 James Bond movie, Dr. NO and we see Sean Connery testing his Rolex Submariner with a geiger counter. If you look closely the geiger counter looks similar the machine in the British Rolex Top-Secret ad above.

Movie #2. From Russia With Love [Sean Connery, 2nd] 1963

• Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538]

From Russia With Love was the first James Bond movie to feature Sean Connery posing with the Walther LP53 BB-gun. This pose would become a trademark for the James Bond series.

According to Wideners.com:

"Although the Walther LP53 never appeared in a Bond movie, it is one of the most iconic guns in the franchise. Connery posed with the pistol for a publicity photo taken for From Russia with Love, which was used to promote the three subsequent movies as well. Thing is, if Bond took the LP53 into combat, he’d look like an idiot. That’s because it’s a .177” BB gun. Yep, TIL one of the most famous James Bond guns is an air pistol.

The story goes that when Connery showed up to the photoshoot, no one had thought to bring along the appropriate Walther PPK. The photographer had to improvise, but fortunately, he practiced air pistol as a hobby. His pistol was even made by Walther. He handed Connery his LP53 to hold as a prop, which Connery accepted because he probably just wanted to go home, and that was that: James Bond posing with a pea shooter."

Sean Connery is pictured below in From Russia With Love, sporting his trademark Rolex Submariner on a leather strap.

Movie #3. Goldfinger [Sean Connery, 3rd] 1964

• Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538]

"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

In Goldfinger, Sean Connery as James Bond wears a Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538] as pictured below, on a Regimental belt strap. Many people say Sean Connery wore his 6538 Submariner on a NATO strap. This is not true. There has NEVER been a James Bond movie in which James wears a NATO. 

Note that the strap that Sean Connery wears has 9 stripes total consisting of Dark Navy Blue, Dark Olive Olive and fine burgundy stripes. The most interesting part of this story is that Daniel Craig was recently seen wearing and talking about his Rolex 6538 that he wears on a NATO strap. You can read about Daniel Craig an the mystery surrounding his Rolex Submariner by clicking here.

The strap Sean Connery is wearing is a Royal Scots government strap, and its formal color names are: Peony Red, Gosling Green and Oxford Blue. The Royal Scots, also know as "The Royal Regiment" is the oldest British Army Regiment. It was founded in 1633 by Sir John Hepburn by a Royal Warrant from King Charles I, who recruited 1200 men in Scotland. On March 28, 2006, the Royal Scots merged with other Scottish Infantry Regiments to become The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Navy Suit

The early scene in Goldfinger, where Sean Connery visits Q-Branch in Goldfinger to examine his new Aston Martin DB5 with the ejection-seat while wearing his Navy Blue suit with a black knit necktie is sartorially splendid.

The Pussy & The James Bond

The female character, Pussy Galore who played Goldfinger's Pilot that James Bond converted from a Lesbian wore a men's Rolex GMT. Today women wearing men's 40mm sport Rolex watches is common, but Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore was the first female to do so on screen. Many Rolex collecting enthusiasts refer to the models of Rolex worn in Goldfinger as The James [Rolex Submariner, Reference 6538] and The Pussy [Rolex GMT, Reference 6542].

The two watches below show what the 6538 and 6542 look like close up.

Pussy Galore is pictured above and in the shots below you see James finally converted her successfully. Of course in these three photos, Pussy Galore is wearing her Rolex GMT 6542 Coke.

Pepsi GMT-Master

It's Fashion On The Front Page

It's All The Rage

Vogue Magazine Cover 

October 1, 1963

The Vouge Magazine cover pictured below from October 1, 1963  features Vouge model and actress, Tania Mallet who played Tilly Masterson in Goldfinger wearing a Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master [Reference 6542] and it fascinatingly predates the Honor Blackman poster by less than three months as Goldfinger was released in theaters on January 9, 1965. Nick Gould was responsible for discovering the identity of Tania Mallet on this cover and he pointed out Tania was in Goldfinger. This raises the question of whether or not there was a correlation between the two, and knowing the brilliance of Rene-Paul Jeanneret,  I would argue there likely was.

This Vogue Magazine cover fascinatingly pre-dates Honor Blackman in her role as Pussy Galore in the James Bond film, Goldfinger wearing her GMT-Master, which ads a whole new Rolex History Puzzle piece...It’s fascinating if you think about it to consider JFK was President of the United States when this Rolex Vouge cover was published!?!! Below we see a publicity photo from Goldfinger of Tania Mallet playing Tilly Masterson.

Pussy Galore

Rolex "Goldfinger" Movie Poster

GMT-Master

Jose from Perezcope.com discovered the following Pussy Galore Rolex Submariner Movie poster back in February of 2022 that features Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore rocking her Pepsi GMT-Master.

Movie #4. Thunderball [Sean Connery, 4th] 1965

• Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538]

• Breitling [Top Time Model]

James Bond was an international phenomenon and remains so to this day. Here is a great Japanese movie poster for Thunderball. Great graphics!!!

Thunderball Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538]

In the photos below from Thunderball you see Sean Connery wearing his Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538]. It is apparently the exact same Submariner he wore in Dr. No because is has the exact Regimental 16mm belt strap which is way too narrow for the lug spacing on the 6538 which is 20mm.

Claudine Auger was Miss France 1958, and she co-starred with Sean Connery in Thunderball, and we see her below sitting on his lap. 

Sean Connery is pictured above with actress, Martine Beswick who played the role of Paula Caplan in Thunderball. Martine Beswick also played the role of Zora in the previous James Bond movie, From Russia Wish Love.

As far as I know Rolex did provide the Rolex watch in Thunderball to EON productions, but did not pay a fee for product placement. Rolex did seem to be aware of the James Bond Rolex appeal to men and the closest they ever came to doing an official Rolex James Bond advertisement would be this James-Bond-like ad from 1965.

The Rolex Submariner was featured in a Thunderball add as seen below.

The photo below shows Sean Connery and Rik Van Nutter on the set of Thunderball which was shot in the Bahamas, and we see Rik rocking a GMT-Master.

Another Rolex Model on Sean Connery

Jose from Perezcope.com discovered and made a positive ID on the fascinating photo below and since Sir Sean Connery just passed away I realized now is probably the perfect time to showcase it. This photo shows Sean Connery in Thunderball at 1:10:54 wear a Rolex that appears to be a stainless steel Datejust with a white dial. This is a previously undocumented discovery, but I think it ads valuable context to Nicks historically significant comments.

Breitling Top Time

Sean Connery also wore a Breitling Top Time in Thunderball as pictured below.

Movie #5. You Only Live Twice [Sean Connery, 5th] 1967

• Unidentifiable Gold Dress Watch on a Black Strap

You Only Live Twice Premiere

London England, June 1967

Sean Connery is pictured below with Dick Van Dyke, Diane Cilentro meeting Queen Elizabeth in June of 1967.

Table Contents

• Chapter 1: Genesis–Ian Fleming's Dream

• Chapter 2: Cary Grant Was The Real James Bond

• Chapter 3: Sean Connery–The Original James Bond

• Chapter 4: Peter Sellers–Casino Royale

• Chapter 5: George Lazenby: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

• Chapter 6: Sean Connery–Diamonds Are Forever

• Chapter 7: Roger Moore–A Saint To Play James Bond

• Chapter 8: Sean Connery–Never Say Never-Again

• Chapter 9: Roger Moore–One More Time

• Chapter 10: Timothy Dalton–The Living Daylights

• Chapter 11: Pierce Brosnan–The Omega Man

• Chapter 12: Daniel Craig–The New Standard

• Chapter 13: Daniel Craig Prefers Rolex