No Time to Buy New: Celebrating Preloved Bond Style
The forthcoming Bond film is getting masses of publicity here in London, where the world premiere of No Time to Die will be screened this evening at the Royal Albert Hall.
Curiously Collectable Vintage Icons
On my travels around town for London Fashion Week and London Design Festival events, I spotted this classic ‘Silver Birch’ coloured Aston Martin DB5 on display at Battersea Power Station.
Apparently the limited edition (of twenty five) DB5 ‘Goldfinger’ Continuation car is worth £3.3 million, and is packed with all the gadgets for which Bond cars are famous – like a rotating number plate and battering ram bumpers, though (for safety reasons), not a fully operational ejector seat. Eight of these cars were used in the making of the latest film, alongside other models.
This example has been housed in a giant sized Corgi model box. The original Corgi James Bond Aston Martin DB5 dates back to 1965, and was voted both ‘Toy of the Year’ and ‘Best Boys’ Toy’ at the Toy Retailers’ Awards that year. Over 20 million of these have sold worldwide, and the Corgi version is still in production.
An original boxed and well kept model of the Corgi 261 (painted gold to tie in with the film’s theme) now sells for upwards of £750.
Luxury 007 Shopping Experience
On my way back from the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, I walked through Burlington Arcade. The luxury retail destination is celebrating the upcoming Bond film with an 007 themed installation, including customised arches and experiences in a number of its outlets. Omega has a pop-up 'Bond House', with a boutique where you can buy the No Time to Die 300m Seamaster, see a display of watches worn in previous Bond movies, and grab a Martini (shaken, not stirred). There are plenty of vintage stores in the arcade, where you could even purchase the original Bond watch – a Rolex Submariner. Oh, and there’s also an 007 Bollinger champagne bar, featuring a replica of the Aston Martin DB5 in the window (excuse my curiously uncool reflection).
Several of the arcade’s residents have long term affiliations with the franchise, including shoe manufacturer Crockett and Jones, luggage maker Globe-Trotter, and cashmere knitwear and accessories brand, N Peal. So you can buy the military sweater and combat trousers featured in the film, or the Highbury shoes worn by Bond.
Handcrafted Bond Original
We’ve got our own Bond original at ShopCurious. As this is no time to buy new, the curious cognoscenti will appreciate this unique James Bond themed silky vest, featuring images from 007 movies, along with a sparkling appliquéd jewel on one shoulder.
Unlike other Bond related clothing and accessories, I doubt you will see anyone wearing anything vaguely similar to this distinctive preloved top. For collectors, it also doubles up as an unusual piece of Bond memorabilia. In fact, if you order fast, and live locally, we could even get it over to you in time for the premiere tonight.
Do you?
Or if you want to feel like a James Bond star, the items below exude James Bond's curiously cool sense of elegance and glamour.
