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The original buzzsaw Rolex watch from "Live
And Let Die" is going up for auction next month..
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Buzzsaw Rolex Auction
15th October 2011
James Bond's buzzsaw watch from "Live And
Let Die" is going
up for auction next month and is expected to sell for at least
a quarter of a million dollars.
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Designed by art director Syd Cain, the
watch is one of the exceedingly rare timepieces modified
to be used in a film. It has been specifically adapted
for the buzz saw feature by cutting the bezel's edges
into sharp teeth and modified in order for it to rise to
maximum
height before spinning.
In Syd Cain's original design,
the buzz saw is activated by compressed air blown through
a tube onto specially constructed vanes, causing the
bezel to rise and rotate.
James Bond used the saw feature with dramatic
results in one of the movie's most exciting sequences when
cutting
through the rope and escaping with Solitaire from the hoist
in Kananga's lair just before the villain's plans to feed
them to the sharks could be carried out.
The magnetic feature was similarly used
to full effect by Bond in his final confrontation with
Dr. Kananga. It
also provided some of the movies' more humorous moments
when Bond, at the beginning of the film, uses it to unzip
Miss Caruso's dress. Her remark about the delicacy of his
touch gave rise to 007's typically sardonic response "see
magnetism, darling." |
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Auction Lot Description
Movement removed to allow customisation,
black dial, luminous baton and dot numerals, luminous mercedes-style
hands,
tonneau-shaped
case with calibrated rotating black bezel with saw-tooth edge,
modified screw back, the inside case back signed Roger Moore
007, screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster expandable
bracelet with deployant clasp stamped 7-72, a small hole in the
end links used to attach an invisible wire to unzip Miss Caruso's
dress. Case and dial signed. 39mm diameter.
The auction also includes Syd Cain's original production drawing
showing the functioning of the different features.
Expected price: $230,000 - $450,000
The 'Important Watches' auction will take place at Christie's
Geneva on Monday 14th November 2011.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit Sir Roger Moore's charity
UNICEF.
