On the eve of the new James Bond film Spectre‘s release, an ultra-rare 1972 Rolex Submariner worn by Roger Moore as 007 in Live and Let Die is set to cross the auction block. Phillips will offer the iconic timepiece at its Geneva sale at Hotel La Reserve on Nov. 7–8, where it is expected to bring in up to about $260,000, though in the opinion of Pursuitist it could go much higher.
The Reference 5513 was modified for the film into one of the most famous Bond gadgets ever. On screen it was fitted with a buzz saw bezel able to cut through rope, aiding Bond’s escape in one climactic scene, as well as putting out a “hyper intensified magnetic field” according to Q with the ability to deflect bullets. And of course, Bond being Bond, he instead used the latter function to unzip a woman’s dress. In addition the watch is signed inside the caseback “Roger Moore 007”.
Even without the provenance the historic watch is worth serious money. In 2011 the watch was auctioned for $198,000 at Christie’s, and is bound to be snapped up by a deep-pocketed collector or perhaps even a museum. Ian Fleming, dashing author of the original James Bond books, initially specified the Rolex as the secret agent’s timepiece of choice, though in the movies these days he sports an Omega.
