Actual watch worn by James Bond

[watchlover1]

Anyone read the e-bay listing for item number 220703715874 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3D1&_rdc=1? They sure are enthusiastic about it! Near as I can tell it's a GF P3. Hope no one gets ripped off! They do not allow questions either.

[charger105]

The Pulsar in Live and Let Die was a SS P2. You are correct, this is a GF P3. This discounts it immediately.

It's also got the wrong module inside.
Rgds.

[J Thomas]

[bucko170]

The write up to the listing is a superb piece of fiction.......maybe the seller will write the next Bond novel.

It's only the rubber stamp in the registration book that look authentic to me but if it sells can anyone point me in the direction of a stamp and red ink pad.

[bruce wegmann]

I was able to get through the "Contact Seller" gauntlet and sent the seller the following message:

"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the watch you have for sale is definitely, totally, absolutely NOT the watch used in the movie. The close-up of the watch on the nightstand is good enough to show that it was a STAINLESS P2 model 2900 (Astronaut), NOT a goldfilled model 3120 P3 Date-Command (no other Pulsar watch was ever used in any other Bond film). Regardless of the papers you have, the bottom line is that you have the wrong watch. I'm not suggesting that you were willfully trying to perpetrate a fraud here, as you might not have known, yourself, BUT, now you do, and in the interests of fairness and accuracy, you should remove the listing. Also, you should take immediate action against whoever represented this watch to you as the Bond watch, and take whatever steps are necessary to recover your money, as you were defrauded. Believe me; I have collected Pulsars for many years, have hundreds of them, and have full knowledge of their appearace in film and on TV..."

I'll let you know how he reacts, but something tells me he's not going to take it well...

BTW, if you put "Pulsar P2 Bond Watch" into the search engine on UTube, you get a SINGLE result...an 8-minute demo of the P2 by a guy who's entire website is devoted strictly to the watches used in Bond movies (and from the looks of it, he really knows his stuff). I may send this reference to the seller if he replies; maybe even if he doesn't. It should be enough to convince even him that he's got a wrong number here...if not, I will probably try to get eBay to yank the listing...I mean, it's $4K we're talking about here...I just bought an 18K Calculator for that, and this package isn't worth more than $300 or so. In good conscience, I can't sit back and maybe watch somebody get royally screwed for the holidays...

[J Thomas]

[bruce wegmann]

His reply...less strident than I exprected...

" I believe the documentation speaks for itself. As far as I'm concerned it definitively establishes the watch's validity. Studios often have "backups" of the same prop. In fact, different props are often used in different scenes, held in reserve as presents for actors, agents, studio execs. I have owned the watch for 16 years, have checked into its background, and I am CONVINCED it is genuine. Thank you."

My re-reply...

"

PLEASE go to UTube, and put P2 Pulsar James Bond Watch into the search engine, and watch the video. It's done by a gentleman who specializes in the watches used in the Bond movies, and this guy really knows his stuff. It should be obvious in the first 20 seconds that the watch you have is NOT the model used in the film. I know that studios often keep "backup" props in case one is lost or damaged, but they are always IDENTICAL to the one actually used in front of the camera, or you get "continuity" issues. I'm trying to be as polite as possible about this, but I cannot, in good conscience, stand by and let somebody get hurt badly, by buying something that is not what it is represented to be. Again, please watch the video, and remove the listing. Even if the papers are legitimate, the watch isn't. A fraud case is something you do NOT want to get embroiled in...$4K won't get you past the preliminary hearing...not worth it, trust me."

I think now, we'll see what his intentions really are...and now, I notice, in all the Bond references, there isn't a single pic or frame grab actually showing the watch...in other words, there's nothing visual to compare the seller's watch with. The flag is starting to go from yellow to red...

[bruce wegmann]

His reply...

"Your source is some video "a gentleman" posted on youtube! That sounds almost as reliable as the National Enquirer. I will not, in equally good conscience, further respond to correspondence containing provocative accusations such as "fraud" and "preliminary hearing." You seem familiar with the law. Have you ever heard of libel? I suggest, sir, that you mind your own business."

My reply to that...

"Libel is PUBLIC, this is a private correspondance. I implore you a final time...watch the video...this man knows what he's talking about. And, yes, this IS my business...I buy and sell Pulsars every day, and I feel it is the duty of anyone seeing wrong being done to point it out. Nowhere in any of your references is there a pic of the watch in the film...now I'm wondering if even you have actually seen the movie! Put the UTube reference in the auction, and let potential buyers see and compare for themselves, and I will withdraw my objections. Otherwise, it will become clear to me what your intent really is...to perpetrate the same fraud that was probably perpetrated on you. That becomes "willful" and crosses the line into criminal territory. And considering the price of the item in question makes it a serious foray into realms you do NOT want to go. A last and friendly warning to do the right thing...

And now, the capper...

"And I implore you to STFU. Are you lonely? Looney? Perhaps a Jehova's Witness? Not getting enough? Frustrated? Wife/GF/Live-in decamped? Kid got shot in Nowhere-stan fighting Bush's war? What's your problem, mate? I think you need serious psychiatric attention without delay."

I wonder how long it took him to make up that list...sounds like he's running down the problems in his own life...but, humor aside,

I guess getting eBay involved is the next step...

BTW, I saw this kind of willful un-willingness to face fact when I was collectiing meteorites. I was constantly chasing off to see someone's "prize specimen" and was equally constantly disappointed to be shown one type or another of perfectly terrestrial rock. Nothing I could tell them would convince them that similar rocks could be found in almost any of their neighbor's back yards. Charles Fort regarded this as a type of self-hypnosis, and this character on eBay definitely breaks some fresh ground...

[bruce wegmann]

Item reported to eBay as fraudulent listing. Stay tuned....

HEY! This is better than the soap operas!

Seriously, I want to see this character busted. He knows what he's doing, and obviously doesn't care. It's too much money at stake to let slide by...he can threaten anything he likes, but it won't matter, because he's wrong, and I'm right (for once)...so THERE!

[watchlover1]

I'm sure everyone noticed, he has it advertised as 14k. I cannot read the writing on the back, but based on the ad sign, and as far as I can see it is 14K gold filled.

[bruce wegmann]

True, but a minor technicality, in comparison to the fundamental problem here...deliberate fraud! And, even if this was a solid-gold 3130, it's still the WRONG WATCH! Less of a rip-off, maybe, but a misrepresentation, nonetheless. Supposedly, eBay will "investigate" this, and if they take the minute or so to look at the UTube video (has anybody here checked it out?), I can't see how this will be permitted to stand. If they have acess to the email exchange between me and the seller (and I can't imagine that they don't), I like to think it'll come across pretty clearly that this guy is trying to pull a fast one. His reference to me as "mate" suggests he's either an Aussie or a Brit (no, not Simon; his fraud was much more subtle, and this guy is in Illinois), but anywhere on the planet, what he's doing is unethical and illegal. Don't need posers like this muddying-up the hobby...had more than enough of that, already.

[bucko170]

His reference to me as "mate" suggests he's either an Aussie or a Brit

We already have enough dodgy dealers here in the UK with the 'Pigeon' clan, the seller information for 'dr-vesalius' given on Ebay states "Member since: Oct-12-08 in United States"

So not guilty this time........ unless he's an expatriate, then again he does sound very British and Pinewood studios are in the UK Oh no could he be a Squab

BTW: Dr Vesalius was a 16th century Belgian physician famed for his knowledge on anatomy gained from dissecting animals AND humans, so I hope he's not to local Bruce

[Old Tom]

Come on folks, everyone file a fraudulent listing report with Ebay- the seller knows it isn't a genuine Bond Pulsar but is persisting. Ebay will usually ignore a single complaint (unless there is a risk of criminal/civil action against Ebay) but if they get a horde of complaints then, perhaps, they will stir themselves.

I live in London, England not that far from the "major" UK film studios and have seen lots of watches owned by people who work in these studios- last one earlier this month which belongs to a fairly famous director- so the "provenance" is totally invalid (and, if you think about it, the guarantee would be made out to the studio as they paid for it, although usually props like this are loaners and wouldn't have a guarantee card).

[J Thomas]

[f.e.a.r]

seller has now changed the title to:

"IS THIS T-H-E 14K GOLD PULSAR LED "JAMES BOND" WATCH?
Probably Worn in "Live and Let Die" by Bond/Moore !"

[retroleds]

Now that my computer has came back to the land of the functional, I sent him mail too.

[J Thomas]

[retroleds]

Movie came out in 1973, BEFORE the Date II or Date Command were even presented to the public. Was filmed during summer of 1972, so even having a P2 on was pretty cutting edge.

In his enlargements there seems to be something about that clasp, like it had initials on it or something....maybe just an artifact of image size reduction,etc.

Kind of funny that his last item sold(granted, only $21.50), was a
"Rare 1950 "Double November" Calendar".

I have a rare first edition comic book, where the Muppets first appeared, signed by Jim Hensen himself. That's it, I am putting it up on ebay, starting bid of $50k!

And then the fight started.....

[rewolf]

Beside the video Bruce mentioned, here are actual movie excerpts, clearly visible is a SS P2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWm8ScIENdo
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqfyEZS:


The seller seems to have enough of people telling him the truth - ebay says "Unfortunately, this seller is not able to respond to your question"...

[retroleds]

That guy hates us....from a karma standpoint, we caused his watch not to be "the one" . Hopefully he hadn't Twittered his friends to watch the sale of his prized Bond watch. Or maybe he is a bit strapped of cash and was hoping to cash in(that would really suck).

Conversely, it's nice that our collective knowledge base feels confident in defending it's position on these dodgy sales. Bravo for your public service gentlemen! That's the holiday spirit!


....chestnuts roasting on an open forum.....

[retroleds]

Bravo for your public service gentlemen! :

On Her Majesty's Secret Service for you Brits.
Keeping with the Bond theme.

[J Thomas]