Bond Does it Again
Christie’s held its James Bond online auction earlier this week, selling many a collectible piece of memorabilia. One stood out among the rest. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Gold 50th Anniversary of 007 Goldfinger Watch won the auction’s title for most expensive.
The watch, created in honor of the classic Bond movie, sports an 18 karat yellow gold treatment worthy of Goldfinger. Omega’s partnership with the James Bond Franchise continues since the first 007/Omega team up in 1995. Since then, Omega’s honored the franchise with a few James Bond edition watches, though none as special (or as pricey) as this one. The watch sold for $113,000 on Wednesday among plenty of other Goldfinger memorabilia.
The hammer price is an impressive 8 times over its estimated retail value (it was never sold as a retail item), and the lucky bidder now has a host of features to enjoy. The 38.5mm gold case flows seamlessly into a refined gold bracelet and shows off a textured 18kt yellow gold dial with sleek markers. The hands, also 18kt yellow gold (obviously) are coated with Omega’s Super-LumiNova glow in the dark treatment. The 18kt yellow gold arrow hands are gold, with the exception of the slim, sophisticated seconds hand – the counterweight of which is a miniature “007.”
While you won’t find any super spy gadgets inside the watch, you will find an impressive Omega Master Coaxial calibre 8501, and you’ll be able to admire it thanks to a skeleton case back. The movement, naturally, features parts mainly crafted from 18kt gold, including the rotor, bridge, and oscillating weight. The engraving on the back of this showstopper reads: GOLDFINGER, 50TH ANNIVERSARY, UNIQUE PIECE, ANTI-MAGNETIC, > 15,000 GAUSS.
The watch’s presentation box was inspired by Fort Knox’s Bullion Depository Building, and is a fine home (besides your wrist) for this truly “unique piece.” And, just to make this story even better, Christie’s reports that a portion of the proceeds (About $223,570) from the sale was donated to The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Mark Wood, Chairman of The NSPCC, said “It’s an extraordinary exciting amount of money. The universal appeal of 007 is a story of good versus evil and that’s what the NSPCC is here for, our belief is every person has a right to a childhood. So on behalf of the NSPCC I would like to thank everyone who placed a bid on the items.”
