Watch listed for $9.95 on eBay turns out to be 007 "Dr. No" watch, fetches $66k

[holymadness]

A retired Navy doctor named Bob listed a Rolex watch on eBay that he bought 52 years ago on a Navy exchange on the Kwajalien Atoll. He set the minimum bid at $9.95

According to Crunchgear, the item is a watch dork's holy grail -- A "Bond" Rolex Submariner Ref 5510, "the same model Sean Connery wore in Dr. No, Goldfinger, and Thunderball." The closing bid for the watch was $66,100.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/12/08...bid-was-60000/

The best part is Bob has a full set of photos showing the watch in its natural habitat including, inexplicably, at a party with Christopher Reeve.

 

[imatlas]

That dude on the left has an awesome pornstar 'stache.

 

[SpooPoker]

unseen: 4 lbs of coke on the counter behind them.

 

[Fuuma]

I'll never understand how a dude with Lonsdale as his avatar, who probably watched Les Invisibles when it came out, would be interested in James Bond.

Nice watch, better than most Rolexes.

 

[holymadness]

It was the feel-good aspect of the story that got me.

That and the Chris Reeve/short shorts picture.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by holymadness

It was the feel-good aspect of the story that got me.

That and the Chris Reeve/short shorts picture.

Pic is indeed excellent. BTW have you seen Parc by DesPallières, supposedly not as good as his Disneyland short and the bible one (can't remember the name).

 

[imatlas]

Originally Posted by holymadness

It was the feel-good aspect of the story that got me.

That and the Chris Reeve/short shorts picture.

The Q&A on the listing was awesome, as it gradually became clear that this watch was worth a substantial amount - someone was very persistently offering $30,000 or more if the seller would end it early, while others were cheering the seller on and offering useful advice like moving the watch to a safe deposit box ASAP.

 

[Singular]

It's a very, very strange story that I don't believe...

/M

 

[Made in California]

Originally Posted by holymadness

It was the feel-good aspect of the story that got me.

That and the Chris Reeve/short shorts picture.

Me too! Good Christmas-themed post.

 

[artoftime]

ON a Bond Skunk NATO though, please.

Damnit, was hoping for an epic Fumma/Holymadness battle of rapier wit

 

[HORNS]

That's awesome, and good for the seller.

Christopher Reeve looks fuuuuuucked up in that photo.

 

[Shikar]

I watched this auction on ebay, it was fantastic.

Regards.

 

[MBreinin]

It amazes me what collectors will pay for the rarer Rolex pieces. I worked with a guy back in 1992 in Miami...he was in his '80s at the time and we wore a vintage Milgauss that he bought new in the '60s at the PX. I knew nothing about the rarer Rolexes at the time, I was just learning about watches. Someone bought it off his wrist for $1500, and Ben, the guy I worked with, thought he got the deal of a lifetime...selling that old Rolex for $1500.

I cringe when I think back on it.

Mike

 

[L.R.]

I love how in his Q&A he mentions he still wears bow ties.

 

[NH_Clark]

Originally Posted by Shikar

I watched this auction on ebay, it was fantastic.

Regards.

+1

I'm just glad to see he got a good price for it and enjoyed seeing the Q&A around folks advising him to not to sell it for less than what it's worth.