James Bond Watches

Bond, watch communities united behind exhibit

2009-07-10T09:49:00.009-04:00

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It's been truly gratifying to see the coverage and enthusiasm that's come in the wake of our first property announcement for the upcoming "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches" exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum.

Thank you to both communities (with so much in common!) for letting us know you're behind this.

Here's a list of what I've seen so far, websites, Forums, and Blogs that deserve special recognition here from James Bond Watches.

! Boris' Watch Collector Blog [link]
! Chronos magazine [link]
! CommanderBond.net [link]
! InSync magazine
! Fratellowatches [link]
! Jake's Rolex Watch Blog [link]
! James Bond Dossier [link]
! Jewelers Lounge [link]
! Licence to Blog [link]
! MI6.co.uk [link]
! NAWCC Bulletin [link]
! Perpetuelle.com [link]
! Rolex Forums [link]
! Selectism [link]
! TimeZone [link]
! ViaLuxe [link]
! Watchshop.uk [link]
! Watch Talk Forums [link]
! WatchTime magazine [link]
! watchuseek [link]

These are the places committed to letting you know where you can get connected with James Bond watch history, research, and fun. Next time you interact with these folks, let 'em know you're grateful.

Have I left anyone out? Let me know by Comment to this Blog.

Respectfully,

Dell Deaton
NAWCC Guest Curator
"Bond Watches, James Bond Watches," June 2010 - May 2011
www.jamesbondwatches.com

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]
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"Original James Bond watch coming to America"

2009-07-09T17:41:00.007-04:00

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This effort is one of the core reasons I created the James Bond Watches website and this associated Blog.

That is: To share genuine items of history associated with the 007 character; his creator, Ian Fleming; and the so-many folks with EON Productions who've perpetuated that enjoyable legacy now for so many decades.

So, yes-- an agreement has been reached to display the original Ian Fleming / James Bond watch as the first piece on loan for the "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches" exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum, June 2010 - May 2011.

Text of the NAWCC Press Release and associated images can be found on the James Bond Watches website. [link]

To give you some idea of lead-times, I was actually in communication with the folks I've come to know in the Fleming family around Thanksgiving of last year.

The importance of making this piece widely available for folks to see here in the United States has made it necessary to hold off on posting items such as that here (recall how long the WatchTime article had to be kept under wraps!).

I figure my readers will understand: It's more important to get the word out across a variety of channels than it is to create visibility for this site as "first with the scoop" on something that can mean the difference between you actually being able to see the watch, as opposed to just hear about it elsewhere.

That said, you can count on much more to come--!

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]
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"Discovered: James Bond's Rolex" translated to German for publication in Chronos magazine

2009-07-04T08:47:00.008-04:00

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Shortly after publication of my WatchTime feature article, "Discovered: James Bond's Rolex," we were approached by Chronos magazine to translate those findings into German for its highly discerning audience.

That issue is now available.

It's now estimated that in excess of 100,000 people (across three magazine circulations) have had the opportunity to read about the Rolex model 1016 Explorer that Ian Fleming had in mind when writing about the original, literary personal watch of choice for James Bond in the novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

That was Mr. Fleming's own wristwatch as well: The only Rolex he'd ever owned, according to his stepdaughter, Fionn Morgan, who was interviewed as part of my extensive research.

The Rolex documentation that I've reviewed dates the case manufacture to the fourth quarter of 1960. Its movement is the 1560 caliber and, right up until its display starting last year at the Imperial War Museum, this watch featured the same Radium dial that it had when worn by the creator of Agent 007.

See prior coverage on this Blog for further details.

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]
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InSync covers James Bond watches a'la NAWCC Annual Convention

2009-07-02T23:18:00.006-04:00

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Hot off the press!

InSync magazine was kind enough to send me an advance copy of its 2009 NAWCC convention coverage of my "Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" presentation.

Shown here is a page from its August 2009 issue.

The accompanying image they use features Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007 from the movie, Die Another Day. (The photograph is courtesy of Omega SA, I believe.)
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NAWCC 2009 and Bond Watches: Report 3

2009-06-20T11:07:00.009-04:00

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"Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" provided me the opportunity to share for the first time a number of exclusive images related to my research and findings on the original, literary James Bond Rolex of Ian Fleming.

Among what only 2009 NAWCC conference attendees have seen in public so far: Photographs of original Rolex documentation dating the Ian Fleming Rolex Explorer 1016, as referenced in my February 2009 WatchTime article, "Discovered: James Bond's Rolex." I was also able to share a close-up image of the Fleming-Bond Rolex Explorer 1016 with its production dial intact, from prior to its replacement for display as part of the Ian Fleming Centenary exhibit at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Access to these is critical to proper identification of the watch.

In addition to the Saturday presentation, a virtually identical Rolex Explorer 1016 was displayed as part of the historical timepieces exhibit at the 64th Annual National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

It is believed that this watch was produced by Rolex as little as just 7 hours before the Ian Fleming watch case.

The images shown here are of that "brother" Rolex Explorer 1016 shown last week in Grand Rapids.

Because this wristwatch retains its original dial, the configuration shown here is actually the closest representation of what 007 creator Ian Fleming referenced when writing about the original James Bond Rolex in his novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The James Bond Watches website has added an evolving complilation of Rolex Explorer reference 1016 images in a variety of aspect ratios and resolutions. [link]

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and access to hi-res image downloads without watermarks. [link]

NAWCC Home Page [link]
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NAWCC 2009 and Bond Watches: Report 2

2009-06-19T11:25:00.006-04:00

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Last Saturday, June 13, 2009, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Convention ("NAWCC") was open to the public.

My contribution to that, of course, was the presentation titled, "Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" One of the neat opportunities I had because of the Grand Rapids venue was an opportunity to share some of the Michigan connections to this fascinating field of collecting.

This Blog and the James Bond Watches website are proudly located in the Great State of Michigan. My NAWCC exhibit also included the attendee card I've kept from my visit to The Henry Ford (Museum) when the "Bond, James Bond" international traveling exhibit was here in Dearborn.

It was also my priviledge to reference some truly original research related to the often-debated Rolex Submariner appearances on the wrist of actor Sean Connery as James Bond. In its October 2004 issue, WatchTime published a contribution by Robert Sprague, Member of the American Society of Master Projectionists, from Petoskey, Michigan, detailing his analysis of individual film frames by way of reaching conclusions.

Among other things, his reference to "radium indices" provided a common-ground segue into some revelations of my own that I was able to expand upon for the first time during my NAWCC presentation. More on that in this Blog with Report 3.

Complete James Bond watch / early Rolex Submariner contribution by Robert Sprague, as published WatchTime, October 2004 [link]

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]

NAWCC Home Page [link]
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NAWCC 2009 and Bond watches: Report 1

2009-06-17T10:40:00.007-04:00

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Grand Rapids was the place to be last week for watch collectors here in the United States.

"James Bond watches" featured significantly in a number ways at the 64th Annual National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Convention.

For my first post-event Report, I'll begin with the special exhibit room that featured historical timepieces. Security was provided, of course (although not to the status of any "license to kill," I was told; yes, I asked).

The images here are of James Bond watch models that I displayed from my private collection. Breitling, Hamilton (Pulsar), Omega, Rolex, and Seiko were all represented. Also included were some of the licensed product timekeepers that have been released over the years. Along with my first edition, first impression of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, by the creator of Agent 007, Ian Fleming.

An image of Timothy Dalton as James Bond from Licence to Kill provided visibility at a distance. His watch, of course, clearly visible up-close.

What at first was anticipated to be a static display took on a new direction for me after the NAWCC Awards Banquet. The exhibits manager asked if I'd be willing to give a private, VIP showing in the secured room after hours. After that ad hoc presentation, a number of subsequent requests followed. During move-out, security told me that the Bond case was opened more than any other at the convention.

At the risk of sounding cliché here, this really gets to the heart of why I collect James Bond watches: Sharing them with others, and seeing the joy the "theme" of this collection brings to folks.

It was also a nice barometer for what I anticipate will be a very popular exhibit at the National Watch and Clock Museum, "Bond Watches, James Bond Watches," June 2010 through May 2011.

More news to come--.

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]

NAWCC Home Page [link]
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NAWCC "Bond" lecture starts at 11:00am today

2009-06-13T04:39:00.003-04:00

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Grand Rapids--

Sorry for the late notice, friends (just got this information myself). My presentation titled "Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?" will start at 11:00am on Saturday, June 13, and run until noon. Q&A will follow.

It's been a great National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors convention. And, particular to our interests, the display of James Bond watches and related materials has been very well received. Full reports from after the event, and photographs, to come.

Also look for an important NAWCC announcement around 12:00pm today that will be of great interest I'm sure to all who are interested in James Bond watches.

Looking forward to seeing some of you here!
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"How I Found the Original James Bond Watch"

2009-06-09T06:30:00.004-04:00

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Further details on the literary James Bond watch have just been published by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors ("NAWCC") in its journal, Bulletin.

As I wrote for the first paragraph: "Details related to my making this first definitive identification were published in the February 2009 issue of WatchTime magazine. So this is not an article about 'what' Agent 007 wore, but, rather ... 'How was it found?'"

Source documentation discussions include research involving the manuscripts and an Uncorrected Proof of On Her Majesty's Secret Service from the archives of the Lilly Library on the campus of Indiana University at Bloomington. Ian Fleming's 1962 letter to Playboy magazine.

And, of course, Rolex paperwork.

Never-before-released technical details take readers inside the original James Bond Rolex. Specific caseback markings are discussed, its movement caliber disclosed. Moreover, the June 2009 issue of the NAWCC Bulletin describes the Radium dial with which Mr. Fleming's Explorer was fitted at manufacture.

Look for a bit of controversy as well. For example, Ian Fleming obviously knew about the Rolex Submariner worn by Sean Connery during location filming for Dr. No in early 1962. James Bond's creator then went on to clearly reject that as his own intent for the 007 wristwatch: Repeatedly.

NAWCC members started receiving their copies of the June Bulletin last week. If you're not a member (you should be!), you can purchase this issue separately through their Gift Shop, and they'll mail it out to you.

NAWCC Contacts [link]
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Presenting: "James Bond Watches" at the 2009 NAWCC National Convention

2009-05-29T09:30:00.011-04:00

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"Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?"

This presentation will be made during the 64th Annual NAWCC National Convention on Saturday, June 13, 2009, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

As noted in a press release from the sponsoring organization, "The talk will be given by Dell Deaton, author of the February 2009 WatchTime feature that details his discovery of the original literary-Bond wristwatch....

"Dell Deaton is also creator of the www.jamesbondwatches.com website."

For additional details and information on James Bond-related watches to be displayed throughout the three-day event, see the James Bond Watches website. [link]

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc. ("NAWCC"), is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with approximately 23,000 members, representing 55 countries. Complete conference information, including registration and hotel details, can be found on the NAWCC website. [link]
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"Discovered: James Bond's Rolex" now online

2009-05-28T09:51:00.014-04:00

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This news just in-- "Discovered: James Bond's Rolex - James Bond, like his creator Ian Fleming, wore a Rolex Explorer I," by Dell Deaton (WatchTime magazine, February 2009, pages 84 - 93).

This is the original article that first definitively identified the literary James Bond watch. It's now available for reading online in its entirety online through a limited rights agreement granted to WatchTime for its website.

Copyright is retained by Dell Deaton, further distribution not permitted without prior written agreement.

The historical significance of the research detailed in this feature article, along with the exceptional credibility associated with its WatchTime print publication, motivated James Bond Watches to make this agreement. WatchTime has a circulation of 60,000 readers, but the history of the 007 character and legacy of Ian Fleming suggest an ongoing interest in this discovery.

As noted on the James Bond Watches Home Page, the watch Mr. Fleming referenced for Bond in his novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, was a Rolex model 1016 Explorer on a fixed-link 7206 bracelet with deployant clasp.

A virtually identical Rolex Explorer 1016, produced during the very same quarter of 1960 as the Fleming-Bond watch, will be displayed and discussed in a James Bond wristwatches presentation at the NAWCC National Convention (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) next month in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, June 13, 2009.

Media inquiries are welcome for additional rights and information. [link]

"Discovered: James Bond's Rolex," by Dell Deaton, from February 2009 issue of WatchTime, in *.pdf [link]

WatchTime magazine Home Page [link]
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Is there another smoking gun in the Bond watch info trade offer expose?

2009-05-27T00:45:00.011-04:00

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Further evidence suggests that attempts to shut down this Blog on Sunday were tied to my recent revelation that proprietary information from Omega SA had been inappropriately offered to induce replica Bond shirt sales.

At 9:11 pm this past May 24, Markus Hartmaier, Posting under the screen name "Bondtoys," completed an update to the Absolute James Bond Forum.

He wrote that my website had been shut down, implied that he knew the reason, and punctuated his comments with a big smiling emoticon. Nothing about libel, attempts to alter historical records, and the potential amount of money involved in watch sales influence strikes me as appropriately humorous.

Would shutting down my "webpage" be "funny" in a Rose Mary Woods, 18½-minute-gap sorta way?

As it turns out, that was only the beginning

Just over two hours later, Jonathan Deval, a/k/a "Asp9mm," revised a Post he'd made way back on November 7, 2007. Yes, 2007. The original appears above; the altered version is here at right.

What had suddenly moved Mr. Deval to search out that particular Post? And what did he have an interest in changing?

Personally, I noticed that he's removed his offered incentive to prospects willing to help get his replica shirt-making venture off the ground.

"Plus if you buy in, I'll let you know what Omega are doing in the next film too (and it will be a surprize)," he originally wrote with a wink and a smile. That line has since been purged.

A few minutes later, he was digging even deeper into the history of ajb007 to make revisions. This time, going much further back, to December 17, 2006: Two-and-a-half years ago.

The image to the right and above is how it originally looked. The image immediately following it, as Jonathan would now like the world to view it.

Unlike what appears largely limited to text redaction in the Madgascar replica shirt offer incentive, the re-write in this case seems intended not just to cover up his offer of insider information a'la girlfriend Samantha, but to actually suggest some entirely different discussion took place.

"Rose Mary Stretch"

Did he think that the efforts of Markus Hartmaier, a/k/a Bondtoys, had effectively destroyed all evidence of those Posts as they originally appeared?

Is Jonathan Deval, a/k/a Asp9mm, only trying to fool you and me?

Or are these revisions related to some other anticipated review of his claims and offers?

Perhaps by parties potentially damaged by leaks of proprietary corporate information? Was Omega SA and/or its Authorized Dealer network damaged by a leak or leaks of contract specifics a year before Quantum of Solace premiered? In addition to actual sales transactions that might be related to this, what of the impact on its reputation and management?

Don't panic if you see more attempts to shut down James Bond Watches.

The legal folks are back from holiday and know what's going on here.
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Was James Bond Watches shut down for exposing a watch info trade offer?

2009-05-26T08:46:00.010-04:00

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In Tomorrow Never Dies, James Bond taunts Elliot Carver with oblique references to his having been involved in the crisis 007 is deployed to investigate.

He's promptly taken to a soundproof room, and-- well, you know the rest.

Author David J. Lieberman, Ph.D.,* recommends this as a powerful and accurate means of truth-detection. "Don't Accuse," he wrote, "Allude." The non-involved will respond to your oblique references with bemusement; those with their "fingers in the jam," as Markus, a/k/a Bondtoys has said, will react differently.

Seeking validation from colleagues on ajb007?

A curious Post went up on the Absolute James Bond Forum this past Sunday, about mid-day here in the United States. Markus reported that my "webpage has been suspended," and punctuated his Post with emoticons depicting a cutesy blush and a big smile.

Um, yeah-- that "webpage" would be what you're looking at here, thank you very much.

The Bondtoys sales site owner went on to say this was because I had referred to folks by their real names.

As my readers already know, countless examples can be found on the Internet of individuals who stand accountable for what they write. John E. Brozek. James M. Dowling. John B. Holbrook, II. Their credibility and authority is in their names, which must be among the reasons they use their real names for accountability.

It's why you'll find me Posting under my own name.

But why the big smile from Markus in his report back to the Absolute James Bond, a/k/a AJB, a/k/a ajb007 Forum?

My Omega / replica James Bond shirts expose

The "name" concern may have been Markus' créneau, but the timing doesn't add up. Markus' full name originally appeared in this Blog last Tuesday, May 19. He watches my Blog daily; he's done programming for the Bondtoys website. If he was worried about the association with his name, why not move on it Wednesday? Thursday? Friday?

What reason could he have, then, to wait until Sunday to try and shut down James Bond Watches?

Here in the United States, of course, yesterday was Memorial Day. Any move accomplished (and bragged about) on Sunday could well have meant an inaccessibility throughout Monday, where businesses were closed here in the U.S. No big deal? What about companies that were open, looking into our Thursday afternoon story, after their own holiday last Friday? For example, in, say, Switzerland?

What else could have been on Markus' mind related to this Blog, long after Tuesday, and important enough to seek having our information flow here silenced going into Monday?

Well, my last Post before the holiday was titled, "Was Omega SA insider information used to sell replica James Bond shirts?" [link] That's the expose we broke last Thursday, where Jonathan Deval, a/k/a Asp9mm, was noted as having stated, in 2007, well-before Quantum of Solace production began in earnest:

"... if you buy in, I'll let you know what Omega are doing in the next film too (and it will be a surprize)," referencing a deal in which he was involved to sell replica Casino Royale shirts.

Quick review of an AJB Thread titled, "The Madagascar Shirt - the deal," shows Bondtoys weighing in just this past January to flank against alternative offerings to "the deal."

"Wasn't it, that Magnoli stopped his first production due some inaccuracies or eventually copyright issues?" Markus taunted. I have no idea who "Magnoli" is; but it looks like he crossed-paths with the entrepreneurial efforts of others, and, well--.

Wait a minute. Does anyone see a pattern?

Jonathan Deval, a/k/a Asp9mm, may claim to have a girlfriend named Samantha who works in marketing at Omega SA. But it's Bondtoys who's proclaimed his devotion to Jonathan for the watch collecting community:

"I am a good friend of the mentioned 'Jonathan,' infact [sic], if he cooked better, I would have married him a long time ago." [link]

Conclusion

Keep your eyes open and it shouldn't take long to see what's behind things.
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*Never Be Lied to Again (St. Martin's Griffin: New York, 1998)
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Was Omega SA insider information used to sell replica James Bond shirts?

2009-05-21T05:46:00.016-04:00

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According to James Bond fan Forum ajb007 ("Absolute James Bond"), replicas of the so-called "Madagascar" shirt worn by Daniel Craig as Agent 007 in Casino Royale are available for individual purchase via an initiative on that website.

"What price would you pay for this authentic shirt...?" the original pitch line asked.

On behalf of a selling team that included Jonathan Deval, a/k/a "Asp9mm" (discussed at length on this Blog recently), claims were made of having "located the actual company who made the original," and offering the option of a shirt "made to measure to exactly fit your own DC-torso...."

Notwithstanding apparent issues with buttons on these replica shirts, the project looks like it's reached fruition. A May 11, 2009, contribution to ajb007 shows one of the sellers saying: "I already have a couple of new orders, but I'd like to get some more so please give it serious thought...."

But that was Post number 1233 for an effort that seems to have required quite a bit of pump-priming to get things off top-dead-center after it was announced on November 13, 2007.

Back then, lending help to the sales push on their launch day, Jonathan Deval added the following, using his Asp9mm screen name: "This shirt will be made in a very small number and will never ever be repeated. ... these will be sought after in the future."

Folks had balked at the anticipated price point of $450.00 per copy.

So, just one day and 20 comments later on that Thread, Jonathan Deval, himself, weighed in a second time. The prospects of making this work were "seriously looking bad," he counseled.

"If you could just give us a YES or NO definite answer in the next couple of days and PM or email all of your contacts here on AJB to do the same, [then] we can either form another plan or knock it on the head. It's all or nothing...."

What do replica shirt sales have to do with Omega SA?

Incredibly, Jonathan Deval closed his November 14, 2007, appeal with the following inducement added.

(See screen capture from Absolute James Bond Forum, right.)

"Plus if you buy in, I'll let you know what Omega are doing in the next film too (and it will be a surprize)"

Asp9mm had positioned himself to make such a bold claim with apparent credibility, as noted previously on this Blog. [link]

On September 22, 2006, for example, Jonathan Deval wrote, "My gf [girlfriend] works for Omega in marketing...."

On December 17, 2006, he made the following offer to Absolute James Bond Forum participants: "If you want to put together a few questions concerning CR [Casino Royale] and Omega, I will get her to answer them."

In between, Jonathan Deval made a Post ostensibly from his girlfriend, who he identified as "Samantha," to address Bond-associated Omega bracelet failure issues alleged by Markus Hartmaier, a/k/a Bondtoys. [link]

As I clearly stated in my May 6, 2009, Blog entry, I don't know if there is such a girlfriend at all. If so, does she work for Omega? And if with Omega, in what true capacity?

But an offer to exchange Omega SA insider information in return for pre-production commitments to purchase replica James Bond shirts is certainly something to be investigated. Remember, this offer to disclose Omega watch information was made almost a year before Quantum of Solace was released.

Authorized Dealers contacted by James Bond Watches here in the United States had no idea what Omega model would be featured in that upcoming 007 film release, no information on what was to be promoted and stocked for anticipated sales.

No information would have meant no opportunity that I can think of for any grey market seller or unscrupulous private interest to "'corner the market' on a James Bond watch" before filming ever began on Quantum of Solace. [link]

Was any proprietary information from Omega SA actually disclosed in support of the ad hoc Madagascar shirt project?

Or, for that matter, was any customer or prospect induced to buy based on the implied promise that Jonathan Deval appears to have made on November 14, 2007? Was the Post by Asp9mm meant to associate an entrepreneurial venture with the earned credibility of Omega SA and its formal relationship with the 007 films?

Concurrent with this Blog entry, James Bond Watches is offering Omega SA, Bienne Switzerland, the chance to formally comment.

I'll let you know what they say.
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 16

2009-05-20T08:58:00.012-04:00

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Denouement--

On February 3, 2009, a Post was made on an Absolute James Bond ("AJB," "ajb007") Forum Thread at 6:59pm. Using the screen name "Donald Grant," Richard Dos Santos alleged that my February 2009 WatchTime "article may have been someone else's."

Half-an-hour later, using the screen name "Asp9mm," Jonathan Deval responded to Richard Dos Santos' claim by labeling my work "plagiarism."

Absolute James Bond Forum support of libel

Emboldened, it seems, by lack of even a minimal, ordinary level of care on the part of the Absolute James Bond Forum with regard to exposure for potential libel litigation, Jonathan Deval and Richard Dos Santos persisted. At one point, Asp9mm referred to my "Discovered: James Bond's Rolex" feature as "his (well, not his really) article."

Ten minutes later, Donald Grant responded: "Too bad it was done by someone else."

Both of these guys were lying to you.

Richard Dos Santos ratcheted up even further his encouraged public ridicule, accusing me of "lying," some four hours and 16 Posts after his original accusation was made. Hardly a mere "few hours" away from duties to care and control against defamatory and injurious content, as AJB Moderator "Hardyboy" claimed four days later in an attempt to defend a lack of responsible Forum oversight.

See Washer v. Bank of America Nat. Trust & Savings Ass'n, 21 Cal.2d 822, 136 P.2d 297, 300.*

The Absolute James Bond Forum then went on to allow (and continues to allow) Posts which encourage readers to convey Richard Dos Santos' plagiarism accusations against me to WatchTime, NAWCC, and Rolex Forums.

On March 13, 2009, Markus Hartmaier, a/k/a Bondtoys, a/k/a Bondtoys.de, claimed to have been making parallel efforts to undermine my relationship with WatchTime through conversations he alleged to have himself had with Chronos,** its "german mother" publication.

Serving proper notice on the owner of AJB

Defamation of my character, professional reputation, and opportunity for future income had continued on ajb007 for three days before I became aware of it. In the almost 50 Posts now part of that original Thread, none appears to have been made or challenged by a Moderator.

Since more than two years had gone by without a Post from me on Absolute James Bond, I had to re-register for access to the Thread and provide the opportunity for AJB to cease and desist, as well as mitigate its potential exposure to damages. As part of this effort, I made a personal entreat to Simon Corless, who owns AJB. His first response to me via eMail, dated February 7, 2009, included this: "I'm glad to have you back, hopefully some good information can be shared in the collecting forum ...."

Having established that the eMail address I had for ajb007 Forum Owner Simon Corless was correct, I then wrote to him on February 9, 2009, and put him on notice of the slander his site was endorsing against me. Moreover, I provided him with a direct LINK to the Post on Watchuseek where the supposed victim of the plagiarism that Richard Dos Santos and Jonathan Deval were alleging had completely refuted their claims.

Simon Corless acknowledged receipt of the aforementioned notice on February 13, 2009. He said he was "... looking into it ...."

Why here? Why now?

The way some folks have chased me about to other Forums, it feels more like descriptions of leaving a cult. As I've pointed out in this series, contemporaneous writings refute any subsequently revisionist charges that I departed under a cloud or that something short of a majority of folks wanted me to return.

I deleted my Posts. It seems inconsequential to say, "so what?" as I'm sure by now a plurality of my readers can more than empathize the desire for a purge.

It must strike most rational persons as more than a bit obsessive to see the same three guys follow me about, justifying their behavior as self-appointed alternative points of view to what I write. And when that behavior reaches an extreme of self-destruction - eg, showing hostility that causes the potential customers of one in target Forums to fear doing business with him, another getting himself banned from a premier Forum that serves what he claims as core passion - isn't that the definition of seriously strange?

Simon Corless never did Post the only fact anyone needed to expose the plagiarism lies perpetuated on his AJB Forum by Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a Donald Grant, a/k/a Dick, a/k/a Rick, and abetted by others. (See screen capture in this Post.)

Instead, he left the words of his Absolute James Bond Forum Moderator, Hardyboy stand as summary: He rebuked me for daring to complain about his oversight of a Thread one participant assessed as so out of control that some "should cast a legal eye over it" before its reinstatement was even considered.

Markus Hartmaier has LINKed to it a time or two, I see, under his Bondtoys screen name. That helped me see the need to document in this current Blog series not just "the other side" of the story (a/k/a, "the truth"), but also to lay down a bit of a record for other upcoming purposes.

Simon Corless provided at least one other thing--

That original February 1, 2009, Thread where Richard Dos Santos and Jonathan Deval accused me of plagiarizing my February 2009 WatchTime feature article is back up on Absolute James Bond. This leaves no doubt that Simon Corless, his team, and those who've Posted as described, have intentionally chosen to libel me and defame my character and professional reputation.

But I figure that's sorta tangential to the interests of most of the growing number of folks who visit my site and this Blog for information on James Bond watches. How does what I've shared above impact you all?

In a word: Credibility. You've been lied to by a few persons and the media that's chosen to advance their interests. Yes, lied to. Don't take my word for it. The source materials are right before your eyes.

And what news of today, May 20, 2009?

On February 4, 2009, Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a Rick, a/k/a Dick, a/k/a Donald Grant, a/k/a GBOOTHROYD, took time out from his attempts to paint me as a plagiarist at 6:43pm.

His new target with the highly respected Rolex Forums website, where he claims to have "... outed one of their moderators for plagiarism of my AJB article on the Bond Submariner ...." By the date, that allegation would have concerned "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," from June 29, 2006. According to Rick, there's a "thieving moderator" who's never been made to account to Donald Grant.

Well, darnit, that Post was locked away, of course, with all the others in the Thread that one seemingly wise participant anticipated on February 7, "might later end up in court."

So Richard Dos Santos, with the support of ajb007, repeated his allegations against Rolex Forums, actually specifying their URL on April 29. In "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond 2.2," he wrote, "... while lurking, I discovered that a forum moderator there had co-opted my first article about the James Bond Submariner and represented it as his own work."

Anyone sensing a pattern here? Any psychologists out there who can help us out with a comparative diagnostic regarding "projection"?

He went on to discuss how he was subsequently banned from that Forum. "However, having outed a respected moderator for plagiarism, who to my knowledge was never sanctioned, I knew my days there were ultimately numbered. I was subsequently banned."

Now that's got to be an interesting bit of news you're not likely to find on any potential James Bond Watches Edition of "Trivial Pursuit."

But here's why an article from last month is news on May 20, 2009.

The whole paragraph where Richard Dos Santos wrote, "I must also mention www.rolexforums.com," is no longer there. The "Article by Donald Grant (Richard Dos Santos)" is gone, too! Could it be that person or persons felt upon reflection that, um, this was not something they were well-positioned to defend, if challenged? Sure looks like an admission that something wrong was done. Or, as they say in court, "a pattern of behavior."

One would certainly think such an act relevant to concerns about libel against my character and livelihood as well. Or to quote a friend of Markus Hartmaier, "running and backtracking and covering his arse big time"

Well, fear not. I've preserved the original allegation that Richard Dos Santos made in that situation (done, obviously, with the backing of Simon Corless' Absolute James Bond Forum), right along side all sorts of screen-grabs I'd made of other relevant content before I wrote the first Blog in this series three weeks ago.

As "Donald Grant" himself encouraged on abj007 a mere three months ago, "Please don't destroy the evidence." What an interesting word choice, Rick, "evidence."

No worries; I've taken care of you here.

Au revoir!
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*Not intended as legal advice; I'm not a laywer and I don't play one on TV.
**Yes, Chronos did contract with me to translate my very popular February 2009 WatchTime article into German and publish it in the issue that's hitting magazine stands this week.
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 15

2009-05-19T12:50:00.011-04:00

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Something like a month-and-a-half ago, "Bondtoys" made another in a line of Posts he's been shopping around to Forums this year. The gist of his, um, concern, suggests that I've been revealing the secret identities of otherwise mild-mannered participants there and abouts.

As if we're talking about Clark Kent being Superman.

What's the real secret here?

Let's take a look at Bondtoys' claims and see how they compare to facts.

On March 13, 2009, Markus Hartmaier, a/k/a Bondtoys, rather proudly asked leave of a watch Forum to "introduce" himself by his real name. In fact, he rather flagrantly promoted the website from which he sells his wares. Click on the "About Us" LINK at that site, and there it clearly states under "Bondtoys.de" the name, Markus Hartmaier.

Alternatively, following his promoted LINK to the AJB website, it's easy to find Posts where he's signed his name, "Greetings Markus."

Absolute James Bond is also the Forum where he wrongly states as "fact" that the Ian Fleming Rolex 1016 Explorer was "done in 1963." That's the same mistake that "Donald Grant," a/k/a Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a Rick, a/k/a Dick, a/k/a GBOOTHROYD, made in that very same Thread on Absolute James Bond (see this Blog, May 12, 2009 [link]).

Dag-nabbit! Must have deleted that-there city-fied fact-checker on the site while I was busy erasing all 298 of my genuine Posts these folks have come so desperately to miss in my two-year absence. [link]

Look again at the second screen capture above and you'll see that it's Markus Hartmaier, a/k/a Bondtoys, who outs Jonathan as Asp9mm on AJB; not Dell Deaton. Moreover, Asp9mm has a handy-dandy LINK on AJB that'll take you right over to his own website, and it seems he makes no effort to keep secret the contact information on one of those pages, disclosing that Jonathan Deval is the man behind the drape of Asp9mm.

Whois.net lists the same name as site owner.

Similarly, both Markus Hartmaier and Jonathan Deval have outed Samantha, a/k/a "Sam," as the Asp9mm girlfriend who works for Omega, and stood ready (according to Jonathan Deval) to answer Absolute James Bond Forum questions regarding Omega and Casino Royale (see this Blog, May 6, 2009 [link]).

This is about accountability

When Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a Donald Grant, a/k/a GBOOTHROYD, released "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," his name appeared at the signature. (Inexplicably, it seems to be missing now from the latest iteration of the AJB Forum: An "Orwellian purge" perhaps?)

When Markus Hartmaier, a/k/a Bondtoys, a/k/a Bondtoys.de, seems to follow a religious dedication to Posting under a screen name remarkably consistent with his sales site URL, his name is readily available to further any commercial transaction consequent therefrom.

When Jonathan Deval, a/k/a Asp9mm, traded on the credentials and connections of his claimed access to most authoritative reaches of James Bond watch information within the marketing department of Omega SA, who complained that his real name was used on a major horology Forum in the context of a fellow who Markus Hartmaier "would have married" long ago? Not Dell Deaton.

So I shouldn't think them any less accountable for their demonstrably libelous statements against my professional reputation and my published work.

Neither should anyone else.

Anti-climax

About a week ago, I think Richard Dos Santos "called me out."

He invited me back to the Absolute James Bond Forum where, based on our mutual experience there, he must have known that any Thread that actually refuted his libelous charges would be subject to arbitrary lock. That's some "open forum," eh? Some calling out.

I had a hard time reading what he Posted without mentally hearing dialogue from a Star Trek episode titled, "The Squire of Gothos," where Captain Kirk responds to a question about being challenged to a duel. More specifically, see William Shatner's out-take from the blooper real in this case.

What silliness! Rick, be a good lad and do as your confederate says and ignore me, as I've ignored you all for the past two years (a status I'm literally counting down the hours until I can resume).

And while we're at it, leave the "you've been warned" stuff back in your cribs as well. My goodness. You all act like we're talking about something on the magnitude of outing a CIA operative like Valerie Plame Wilson. Or would Rick have us consider her as lesser in stature because she's not "a man"?

This is not that sort of case at all. No one of Valerie Plame's class in the lot. No Man of Steel.

Merely a handful of angry boys here.

It's time to go home now.
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 14

2009-05-18T07:43:00.004-04:00

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Over the weekend I was asked if there were any plans to "Index" my recent Blogs addressing the isolated, but inflated anger at James Bond Watches.

In fact, there is.

Following advice once given to me by the late Chuck Maddox during one of our phone conversations, the approach I've taken here was actually intended to make it easier (for all of us) to refute any future Forum games guided by least-common-demonimators.

Voilà!
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 13

2009-05-15T16:47:00.008-04:00

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Maybe there really are two types of people in the world.

Those who rather fancy the 1984 Motown single titled, "Somebody's Watching Me," as insightful social commentary about an isolated number of insecure others with whom they infrequently cross paths.

Versus those that must avoid hearing these pointed lyrics, fearing condemnation, like Dracula shrinks away when confronted with a mirror.

Who's watching--?

That depends on how you look at it

On February 8, 2009, a regular contributor to one of the Watchuseek Forums wrote the following in response to my James Bond Watches Blog Posted here earlier that day. [link]

"... I do not see the conspiracy that Dell appears to ...."

Silly me-- Thinking I could simply Post in its entirety an absolute, unequivocal refutation of libelous claims that I'd plagiarised my February 2009 WatchTime article, "Discovered: James Bond's Rolex." And, at that, said rebuttal audaciously written by the very person from whom I'd supposedly purloined prose and research.

Yet I did, indeed, think that would end the libel of my name and professional reputation. After all, it serves as sufficient notice of opportunity to mitigate damages, as the lawyers say.

Absolute James Bond (a/k/a "AJB," "ajb007") Forum

On or about February 6, 2009, "Hardyboy," one of the Forum Moderators on AJB, disappeared a Thread that "went on for three pages BEFORE ANY MODERATOR GOT TO SEE IT." This Thread contained a firestorm of accusations that I'd plagarized the content of my WatchTime article.

By his own admission, he shut it down "especially because it contained personal attacks that border on libel" (I don't agree with his use of the phrase "border on" here, for the record, at least insofar as it relates to claims I may have in this matter).

Among other things, he wrote further, he felt this was needed to "protect this site," meaning the Absolute James Bond Forum.

Not much earlier, the Moderator had been accused by "Donald Grant" of having closed the libelous Thread "at the behest of Mr. Deaton."

No, "this was a decision I made myself," Hardyboy responded, "and referred to the rest of the moderators--it was not done at the behest of ANY member, thank you very much, and NO ONE has that kind of sway over us."

And I always feel like, somebody's watching me--

Watchuseek (a/k/a "WUS") Forum

On or about February 7, 2009, here's how the plagiarism accusations were finally put to rest. Keep in mind that the only Post-making person known to have actually read my article at that point was Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a Donald Grant, a/k/a GBOOTHROYD.

You know, the guy who wrote "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," currently hosted on the abj007 Forum site.

Connections? Motives? Same small, but vocal, handful of guys.

Here's what the actual fellow whose work I was accused of stealing wrote: "I reiterate, the fact that Mr Deaton has offered to send me a copy of his article shows good faith and is hardly the action of a plagiarist. He has answered a straight question with a straight answer three times now. I don't think he should have to answer it again. I am satisfied and that should be the end of it."

Woops! Guess that wasn't enough for some folks. So, two Posts later, he had to add this: "While we are talking about exactly the same issue and covering very similar ground it is absolutely clear to me that no plagiarism whatsoever has occurred here. I simply cannot see how Rick [ie, Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a "Donald Grant"], or anyone else saw plagiarism here as I certainly can't. As I am, in theory, the aggrieved party here, I think that my word on this can be definitive.

"I hope that is clear to everyone" [emphasis original to what he wrote].

The next day, he made yet another Post in hopes of putting an end to the blatant lies against me, stating, "the accusations of plagiarism are false, harmful and getting out of control. I have no desire to see anyone's reputation harmed as a result of claims that have no basis in fact.

"As a result, I have given Del [sic] the tools he needs to definitively close down a rumour which has spread over a number of forums. This is only fair and right. If I were in the same situation it is what I would wish to happen."

At that point, he had come under attack for setting the record correct!

"Amazingly, I have now received several messages which appear to imply that Del [sic] has somehow got to me and even that we are now in cahoots."

When I'm in the shower, I'm afraid to wash my hair--

"My own personal conspiracy theory"

You get the picture. So long as two or three boisterous malcontents find their outrageous accusations passively or actively allowed to stand without rebuttal, all is copacetic.

Invite in a stray supporter from elsewhere to fan the flames (you know 'em by their recent registrations, low Post counts, and minimal investment beyond "why don't you and him fight" talk), and the show is really on.

As one fellow pathetically said when my reputation was being libeled on the Absolute James Bond Forum, it was no more to him than time to get popcorn for the show he'd hoped to see come.

What's that? The facts don't support the condemnations? Well, then, it must be that Dell Deaton got to the Moderator! Or, to the guy who wrote the article upon which we pinned all hopes of proving him no expert at all on James Bond watches.

Returning to the fellow who wrote this past February 8 that he did "not see the conspiracy" that he felt I saw, here's what he wrote after he'd received those "several messages" claiming I'd some gotten to him and forced a retraction.

"... I now have my own personal conspiracy theory."

Who's playing tricks on me--?

A five-star tune on Dell's iPod

No, I didn't sway any Forum Moderator. Neither did I get to any Forum participant, other than to simply provide him with a copy of the actual article that some obviously preferred to characterize in the exploited ignorance of others as something it was not.

"Somebody's Watching Me" is a five-star tune on my iPod; so I'm among that "type" of people in the world.

And you--?
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 12

2009-05-14T10:29:00.032-04:00

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Previously in this series, the potential influence of commerce on content has been discussed.

"What financial interest could you be talking about?" some would like you to ask. "Folks couldn't possibly have a monetary motive of any sort when it comes to sharing their expertise about James Bond watches!"

Fair enough. There's always a fact-basis behind my claims.

See Hamlet, Act III, Scene iv
"For 'tis the sport to see...."

Here, as previously, I've blurred URL and name information out of disinclination to promote references. But the key points are unambiguous.

The site with which we're starting out this Blog conflicts with the findings of James Bond Watches in several readily apparent ways.

First, although you could certainly find the "Pulsar" brand among Seiko models at your local JC Penney's, the P2 worn by Roger Moore in his debut as Agent 007 in Live and Let Die was made by a US company called Hamilton.

"Ert! Wrong answer, Hans," as John McClane might say.

More than a mere bit of cultural insensitivity, labeling this watch a "Seiko" misses out on one of the most fascinating slices of horology. [link] Nobody's perfect. But since this guy in particular seems to relish in chasing p's and q's, I'll let him be "Hoist with his own petar."

It's also worth noting the, um, "coincidental" timing between his recent attacks on me in Omega and electronics-oriented watch Forums, and the appearance of a James Bond Watches web page that spot-checks Hamilton Pulsar P2 pricing, currently spanning February 12, 2008, through March 25, 2009. [link]

That was the start of an effort I've undertaken to make comparison shopping easier for potential collectors. Whether or not an educated consumer is good for sellers depends on one's perspective, of course.

By the way, what is the current exchange rate, Euros to US dollars?

Finally, I've never claimed to have the inside knowledge and extensive expertise in Seiko models with which the owner of the website in question so frequently associates himself. But (again, using his own standard), take a look at his "The Spy who ......." photo in the screen capture above and tell me where you saw that timekeeper on Roger Moore's wrist as James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me.

Take your time.

See Hamlet, Act III, Scene ii
"The lady doth protest...."

This next site appears to have made arrangements with Sean Connery to license use of his likeness for the production of sculpted heads.

To be clear: I don't claim to know anything about "re-casting" or James Bond busts or any bust of Sean Connery.

But the Forum Post captured here seems to indicate some sort of propriety rights in "selling the busts," as it clearly states: "Interest in those busts are [sic] supposed to be directed my way."

Behavior of one or more of the individuals involved in the arguments that ensued led to that 2007 Thread being Closed.

Things apparently started out better on his James Bond Forum of choice in the nascent days of this venture in the summer of 2004. Back then it was, "If any of you are interested in this bust, you can contact either myself or Howard.... It makes no difference which of us you order it from."

A year-and-a-half later, "Howard is no longer" in the picture. At that point the Sean Connery / James Bond heads / busts were being cast by the promoter's "own hand."

More recently, it looks like he's soliciting interest in a "holster" he's producing. I see that he's already got some information related to this on his website.

See Hamlet, Act II, Scene i
"Your bait of falsehood...."

Just this past weekend, I clicked on one of the ads that came up on the James Bond fan Forum from which I removed the content associated with most of my 298 Posts. [link] The image at right of the next paragraph (seriously redacted to avoid further promoting their wares) shows what my content would have risked advocating if I'd left it.

The ad readily came up in association with one of the feature articles they're currently hosting with content focused on the James Bond Rolex Submariner.

A Rolex Submariner for under 80 bucks?

Sounds like a fake to me. But then I also remember distinctly that "Donald Grant" assured folks on a watch Forum that that 007 Forum never allowed such advertisements.

Readers of my Blog can judge for themselves whether this promotion is the exception or rule by reviewing the various screen-capture examples I've provided here recently.

And about that leading watch Forum. Before he was banned, the head-caster-cum-holster-maker-cum-Sylvia-Trench-watch-rejector had managed to generate Posts on that Forum where a full third invariably came around to routing web traffic over to the aforementioned James Bond fan Forum.

Talk about sharing the wealth!
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 11

2009-05-13T07:55:00.005-04:00

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A message came in to me overnight that included the following sentence relevant to my current Blog series.

"If bashing was the case, and I believe this happened to you, then that was out of line."

It's from a Forum Owner whose name would not only be known to my readers, but also to those about whom I've written here recently.

I must confess: I'm both surprised and impressed.
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 10

2009-05-12T07:20:00.014-04:00

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The author of "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," has been following me about for commentary on his article for over two years now. So here goes.

"Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond"

Author Donald Grant, a/k/a Richard Dos Santos, a/k/a Rick, a/k/a Dick, a/k/a GBOOTHROYD, opens by stating that "to many the choice of which watch Bond wears can only come from his origins," meaning Ian Fleming.

It's clear from his presentation that Richard Dos Santos counts himself among the "many" who hold this point of view. And his premise relies on Mr. Fleming to get off the ground.

"The Choice of Ian Fleming"

Quoted above is the first major head in "Bonding With Time." It bookends a photograph of two Rolex Submariner models and the preamble referenced above. So, visually, the article immediately suggests that Ian Fleming chose not just a Rolex, but a Submariner model specifically for the literary James Bond.

Yet his opening paragraph here seems to me more designed to simply clear the decks so he can get on to the assertion he really wants to make. "No one knows exactly why Ian Fleming chose a Rolex for the wrist of James Bond," he writes. No one? I for one would like to see an indication that Richard Dos Santos has researched this with any-one to substantiate such hyperbole.

Instead, he adopts an unmerited pseudo-Socratic style. "Perhaps Fleming was impressed by the fact that during World War II, British prisoners of war could write Rolex and receive a watch free of charge...."

That is not "fact."

In truth, Rolex generously allowed POWs to pay for these watches after the war. As the letter at right illustrates, the word "free" never appears. But, to my point, a price does.

"Donald Grant" also has his literary Bond history wrong. In setting up his basis for the decision the producers faced in bringing 007 "to the large screen," he excerpts from On Her Majesty's Secret Service. But Ian Fleming had only just started writing that novel when the first scenes of Dr. No were filmed, featuring Sean Connery wearing a Rolex Submariner in-character, in early 1962.

So this couldn't possibly have been among "the few references" EON Productions had in making their own initial James Bond watch choices.

What do the real experts say?

[Richard] wrongly states that James Bond: The Legacy, by John Cork and Bruce Scivally, backs up his Rolex Submariner argument. As with the actual Rolex-POW story mentioned above, do your own research (I saw James Bond: The Legacy at my local bookstore just the other day, so they're easily accessible). Page 36 has the Ron Quelch story [Richard] "paraphrases."

No Rolex Submariner is mentioned.

As an aside, this Blog featured a reference to James Bond: The Legacy on December 12, 2008. [link] Mr. Cork, himself, responded to that just before Christmas and provided additional detail that substantiated my research. Not only does his Reply not support the conclusions of Richard Dos Santos in "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond," but Mr. Cork actually wrote, "Ian Fleming did not mention the model, but if he had, it would have likely been the Rolex Explorer."

I happily validated what John Cork had surmised by providing him with an advance copy of my February 2009 WatchTime article, which was literally being printed at the time.

Ian Fleming chose a Rolex Explorer

"Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," utterly misses the Rolex 1016 Explorer that Ian Fleming actually owned. Richard Dos Santos / Donald Grant / GBOOTHROYD makes no mention of it at all in his article. Yet, as I pointed out above, he opened with the premise that "to many the choice of which watch Bond wears can only come from" Mr. Fleming.

How could he have missed this?

Part of the reason could be a lack of real Rolex watch knowledge. In another of his unsubstantiated (if not obsessive) attacks on my recent WatchTime article, he wrote that the Charles Amherst Villiers "painting of Fleming pre-dates the introduction of the 1016 Explorer." His list of errors mounts.

He's referring to page 92 of the February 2009 WatchTime issue where I wrote the following words. "For the publication of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Fleming commissioned an oil portrait of himself, painted in 1962 by longtime friend Charles Amherst Villiers. It appears as a frontispiece in a special edition of 250 numbered copies of the book. I confirmed last summer that it captures Ian Fleming wearing his Explorer I, its dial reading 12:05."

The National Portrait Gallery in London confirms the date of the painting.

Additionally, a copy of Thunderball is featured behind Mr. Fleming's right arm in the portrait, which further establishes an "earliest" date for the painting (as well as perhaps some indication of the author's own preference from among his books). Thunderball was originally published in 1961.

The Rolex 1016 Explorer was introduced in 1959, well-before the Charles Amherst Villiers oil was painted. Now, if we have to go back to elementary school mathmatics here, subtracting date-of-watch-introduction from date-of-book-publication, this is really gonna take a while.

About that "two-bob watch"

The bottom line is that Richard Dos Santos is wrong once again in his understanding of Rolex watches. Incredibly, he lists at the top of his sources for "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond," an excellent reference book, Vintage Rolex Sports Models, by Martin Skeet and Nick Urul. Perhaps he didn't actually read it.

Messrs. Skeet and Urul date the introduction of the Rolex 1016 Explorer to 1959 on page 71. And on page 79. And, well, you get the picture (no pun intended).

So my lack of attention thus far to "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond," by Donald Grant / Richard Dos Santos / GBOOTHROYD is rather in keeping with the observation of the watch Forum Moderator cited here yesterday. I've let him "carry on like a two-bob watch" and create a body of work that speaks for itself in terms of credibility.

Need I go on--?
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 9

2009-05-11T16:45:00.009-04:00

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19th March 2006.

Near as I can tell, that's when my relationship with the subject of this Blog entry changed. Prior to that date nothing particular stands out. In his Posts, he did periodically claim to be writing a finally-authoritative article on Rolex models associated with James Bond.

Then, between March 19 and 31 of 2006, the Bond Forum in question published a four-part series I'd written at their request on Omega watches and Agent 007.

Yertle the Turtle

As Dr. Seuss instructs our youth, there must be only one king of the pond.

On June 29, 2006, this "Yertle"(who's associated at least three different names with his efforts) got his tome put up on the same Forum as my Omega article. "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," was and is its title. Looks like he started promoting it right away through his presence on Replica Prop Forum.

Among his expertise there, I see he's shared something to do with commissioning the making of "heads."

Around this same time, he engaged in behavior that struck me as uncommonly interested in what I was writing. Following my Posts to invariably have the last word. Bizarre comments, such as actually explaining his use of the word "Nuts" to make sure I understood he was trying to be rude, insulting me.

Did I mention in one of these recent Blogs that ignoring certain personality types has a low efficacy rate?

So, although coming up on the two-year mark since my departure from Yertle's James Bond Forum of choice, he followed me over to a highly respected watch Forum where I spent time whenever I could. Incredibly, he actually admitted in one Post there that his interest was mostly in "sparring" with me - as opposed to actually raising the bar on James Bond watch identification and collecting.

As you might imagine, that sort of behavior doesn't go over real well with professionals who truly know their high-end, luxury time pieces.

Rejected by the first Bond girl

They say that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I haven't heard if the reverse holds similarly true. But never would I have thought that being rebuffed by a wristwatch merely named in her honor would have such an impact.

But you gotta guess that it did.

A little over one year ago now, I wrote a Blog here titled "'Dr. No' watch number 1 (EON, 1962)." [link] This further LINKed to a detailed article on James Bond Watches about the "Sylvia Trench watch," which is, of course, the first watch Sean Connery is seen wearing on screen as Agent 007 in Dr. No. [link]

No mention of that in "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Part 1 The Rolex Submariner," of course. But Yertle's numerous and emotionally pitched Posts to Bond and watch Forums read as if I pointed out this watch as part of some SPECTRE-esque plot to discredit his work.

Alternatively, he's tried to explain this watch away by insisting it must have been Sean Connery's personal timekeeper. Or surely an isolated continuity error. He claims to need proof for any information that contradicts his gospel, but so far has offered none for either of these pitches that he, himself, has proffered.

Conclusion: Everybody else is wrong!

Admittedly, Eunice Gayson, a/k/a, Sylvia Trench, is one of my favorite Bond girls. But the watch worn by Sean Connery as he delivers his first on-screen kiss as 007 (appropriately, in his own bedroom) looks strikingly unlike any Rolex Submariner I've very seen. How 'bout you all?

And that's not the only Bond film where you'll see, um, "something else."

... note the "Gypsy Camp Watch" this Blog cited in From Russia with Love [link]

... the "Fort Knox Watch" in Goldfinger doesn't look like a Rolex Submariner [link]

... and are we supposed to accept that the "Osato Chemical Watch" from You Only Live Twice is the fourth remarkably similar continuity error he's caught against EON Productions? [link]

I'll leave it to Yertle the Turtle for explanation.

Perhaps in an installment of "Bonding With Time: The Wristwatches of James Bond - Rebooted," he'll return to the subject of James Bond wristwatches and reconcile matters.
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 8

2009-05-08T11:02:00.012-04:00

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"Anger management" advice often holds that it's best just to walk away.

Experience and further research has taught me otherwise.

Psychologically, the rage-aholic feels invalidated. In extreme cases, they appoint themselves judge and jury to right this perceived wrong, at any cost. Ultimately, they bring the greatest expenses down upon themselves.

One Forum, two long years ago

On or about January 8, 2007, I left a James Bond fan Forum. Using their Search feature, it was a rather straightforward task to locate the majority of my 298 Posts and replace that content with "~." instead. It took about 7 seconds per Post; now you can do the math.

Why did I leave? I felt that content was driven more by confrontation for the sake of perpetuating Threads, as opposed to solving what I considered really exciting mysteries of history. I've additionally shared my concern here that the Forum was being underwritten in part by LINKs to fake watch sellers.

Why did I delete my Posts? The short answer is that it was an act akin to shaking the dust off my sandals (for those who remember their Sunday school classes). More generally, it was because I saw it as an opportunity to cease supporting the mission of that Forum with my content.

Who's Zoomin' Who?

Some have suggested that I was banned or that there was some cloud hanging over me that caused something other than a departure solely of my own accord. Like everything else I've Posted here, those claims are refuted by the facts.

One Forum Moderator at the time wrote this in summary on January 15, 2007: "But it seems more would [hope] Dell to return than stay away."

Ironically, another fellow who complained at the time about the LINKs in my Posts (despite the animated banner ad for his own sales site, with which he signs his every comment), now flips his position to criticize me for those very same Posts, and LINKs, being gone.

"What is so difficult to cope with other's different opinion, we all share the same passion here and I feel really sorry, that there seems to be the need to kick back now, that he's not here" [sic].

As an aside, I'd almost forgotten about "_006_" until re-reading these Posts on this stroll down memory lane. He was banned shortly after my departure. Two of the folks featured predominantly in the screen captures on this Blog entry had eMailed me at the time to say that they'd coordinated their efforts to make that happen, in hopes that I'd return to the Forum.

Made no difference to me, since that's not why I'd left.

What's Up, Doc?

Two years passed without a Post from me to that Forum. Two years. Wow.

In the meantime, some able-bodied administrator for the Forum has gone back and changed the screen name for my Posts to "Dell Deaton," although that wasn't the practice I'd seen there before.

A couple of others from that Forum have followed me about having appointed themselves some sort of "James Bond watch police squad."

One guy ended up at a premier horology Forum where the subject matter, I believe, was really close to his heart. But what can only be described as a relentless obsession with Dell Deaton and the Sylvia Trench watch ultimately left the Moderators no choice but to ban him. He was "in," but that wasn't enough; he forced authorities to toss him out.

I feel sorry for him.

Another, who has had an interesting little niche site selling James Bond items, appeared to have found the perfect market in a watch site narrowly serving an ideally overlapping niche buyer demographic. Yet a recent stream of sarcastic and inexplicably mean Posts aimed at me have led several to marvel at a side of him he apparently hadn't shown to this extreme there before in his Forum persona. They've PM'ed and eMailed me to say it's not the sort of character with which they believe folks will want to deal in the future.

Do you really believe all of this is because I left a James Bond Forum 28 months ago? Better we leave that question to the psychologists.

Ignorance is not bliss

Sadly, these angry lurkers are sometimes prodded on by marginally-invested folks who'll show up to keep conflicts stirred. "After looking about on sites he has posted," one recently registered Forum participant wrote of me just last week, "I can now see why there is some hate there."

You've gotta wonder how such a guy defines "hate" in this world. And why anyone should put in the effort to go back more than two years to find it. Perhaps he has plans to publish he research methodology in some journal article we'll see down the road.

Meantime, like I said: I've tried ignoring these guys, and that just makes 'em angrier. So I'm acknowledging them here, as they've worked so hard to get me to do, in hopes of closing out their vendettas and moving on.

Isn't it rather ironic, however, that so much of their sense of self-worth seems so intricately tied to getting attention from a guy they claim they'd like to disappear?
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Why the anger at James Bond Watches? part 7

2009-05-07T22:38:00.013-04:00

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How did things end with the "Insider"?

I was rather surprised by the number of folks who've contacted me to ask if the subject of yesterday's Blog was ever called to account for his claims when Quantum of Solace was released and he was proved so completely wrong. It wasn't my intent to set up a cliffhanger.

How long did he get away with promoting a watch that never appeared in the film? Did he offer any sort of explanation?

A mixed bag of nuts

From what I can tell, Insider first appeared with notice of a new black, black Omega Seamaster prediction for Quantum of Solace on November 5, 2007. He stuck with that story through numerous Posts for four solid months. Others were often ridiculed for doubting him in the meantime.

But it wasn't until late last October that someone would actually confront him with his own words in that same Thread.

Obliquely, his reply begins with a diversion as if the question was about his having scooped the release of some new model for those generally interested in horology. Then he completely re-casts history by trying to paint his statements about this having been a "100% certain" James Bond choice in Quantum of Solace (see this Blog, 5/6/2009 entry [link]); it was really just an "assumption" his rewrite now backpedals.

Incredibly, his Post implies that Omega was betrayed in this deal by the 007 film producers. "Imagine how Omega feel [sic], releasing a Ltd Bond watch that Bond does not wear - not happy to say the least."

Quantum wanna-be's?

The aforementioned Post from October 23, 2008, was more than half-a-year ago. So I can hardly be accused of looking for a quick gotcha here.

But earlier today, the same fellow who seems ubiquitous in corroborating any number of Insider sells showed up with an answer to my Blog from yesterday. Of all places, this was in a watch Forum catering to people with electronic timepieces.

Don't worry: It's not as Mr. White claimed; this doesn't mean they "have people everywhere." Just the same old voices, only further from context.

Distance doesn't change fact.
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Why the anger at James Bond watches? part 6

2009-05-06T18:09:00.049-04:00

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Let's say someone has a girlfriend who really does work for Omega.

Continue on to accept his claim that she's well-placed to have insider access to and knowledge of upcoming James Bond watch product placements in future films. Specifics on Limited Edition models as well.

He makes Forum Posts ostensibly enhancing his credibility by salting in references to his own extensive (though never actually defined) collection of various Rolex models. Not much of a stretch at all when you remember that we've already seen an actual strategy to suggest a reasonable confusion between Omega and Rolex.

See train sequence in Casino Royale.

Icing the cake, he goes above and beyond to offer the opportunity for regular Joes on the Forum to submit questions about Casino Royale and Omega. So powerful is his source, he promises to "get her to answer them."

No mere lowly store clerk is she; the Forum contributor we're talking about here less than humbly boasted in a Post last August: "I have 'real' inside knowledge when it comes to the watches."

Two months earlier, he said he'd been provided with "one of the rubber stunt watches used in the fight sequence" in Quantum of Solace.

Some girlfriend!

Does she or doesn't she?

Let me pause here to clearly state that I don't know if there is such a girlfriend at all. If so, does she work for Omega? And if with Omega, in what true capacity?

Like the Mary Chase stage play Harvey, so much of the story line we've been asked to follow depends on there really being a rabbit.

On the other hand, what are the commercial, if not legal, implications of a highly-placed operative within a major product partner in the James Bond film franchise?

Back in November of 2007, the self-anointed "Insider" told followers on his Forum of choice: "Expect a twist on the old Seamaster" for Quantum of Solace. He went on in the next month to insist that there'd be no Planet Ocean this time, just "the usual Seamaster, but with a new black dial," adding, parenthetically, "looks very good."

No glib comparison to Rolex this time; we're talking serious business here.

He went on in January of 2008 to challenge photos from the Quantum of Solace film set that some argued clearly showed "James Bond" wearing a Planet Ocean model. "That's Craigs [sic] own watch," he rubuked. He went on to "confirm 100%" for certain his previous self-authenticated scoop about the Omega Seamaster.

What followed was one of those which watch? debates that vocal opponents of James Bond Watches and its work lay exclusively at my feet.

Only I wasn't there, having picked up and left that Forum years ago.

A confederate of Mr. Insider rallied to his defense: "If he says, there will be an updated Seamaster Diver black/black, it will be so. Amen." Amen? Are we to infer religious, if not God-like authority here? That's what I call an endorsement.

Ironically, the so-called Insider subsequently evoked my name in a despirate attempt to bolster his credibility by cashing in on what I've established. "Now I know how Dell felt," he Posted on February 13, 2008.

That's a far cry from what he wrote about me less than two weeks ago. "I also wanted to confirm that the other self-indulgent, self-promoting sensationalist reporting (from now on reffered [sic] to as DellDeatonism), was just that."

What made him so angry?

Hint: Compare what his writing to the measured, credible coverage of Omega watches and James Bond's timekeeper in Quantum of Solace as it unfolded on this Blog and on my James Bond Watches website in 2008.

My credibility had to be attacked in order to rehabilitate his.

Because the fact of the matter is this. Nothing other than the Omega 2201.50 Planet Ocean is seen as James Bond's watch in Quantum of Solace. That's the only watch that Omega SA states on its own corporate website as having appeared in the film.

So how was the Forum guy with "inside knowledge" so incredibly wrong? Maybe there's no girlfriend after all. Maybe she's not as high as he would have us believe.

Alternatively, could there have been some other motive to promote sales of a watch that wouldn't appear in a James Bond film?

Follow the money.
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