Words: Jonathan Wells
James Bond is 60. Not the character, of course — there’d be little excitement in watching a borderline pensioner punch, shoot and spy his way through a classic 007 adventure. Rather, the film franchise itself is turning the big 6-0, and both fans and brands have been invited to celebrate and commemorate the half-dozen decades that have passed since the release of Dr. No.
And there are many milestones to mark. Since Bond broke onto the big screen, we’ve had 25 official films — each one brimming with quips, car chases, gadgets and girls. He’s gone from icon to institution, and six actors have taken up the MI6-licensed mantle during as many decades. This October, to toast the superspy, many of 007’s most trusted brands have released special editions and exclusive products. Here are the best…
Floris ‘Nº.007’ Eau De Parfum
We start with a spritz of aftershave. From Floris, the new ‘Nº.007’ has been fondly and deftly distilled to commemorate Bond’s silver screen anniversary. And, although the superspy has never worn an aftershave himself (in From Russia, With Love, Bond even cracks that he and his fellow countrymen don’t wear cologne because “we wash”), this is an excellent effort by the British brand.
At once spicy and rich, the scent is built on a solid base of sandalwood and oak moss, before a heart of rosemary and carnation give it a lighter, floral touch. At the top, think bergamot, juniper and geranium — with a slight hint of smoke to finish (Bond would approve; he smoked over 60 ‘Morland’ cigarettes a day). The dot motif, made monochromatic here, is also a nice touch on the label.
Barton Perreira ‘Thunderball’ Sunglasses
Over the last six decades, James Bond has amassed a spectacular collection of sunglasses. Daniel Craig’s tenure has seen brands from Persol and Vuarnet to Tom Ford get in on the tinted action. But two pairs from Barton Perreira, a Southern California eyewear brand founded in 2007, became his go-to frames in No Time To Die. This year, to celebrate cinematic Bond’s 60th, the brand has released two new exclusives.
The wire-framed ‘Avtak’ style is inspired by Max Zorin’s look in A View to a Kill. But our preference would be the ‘Thunderball’; cut from brown zylonite to mimic Sean Connery’s Bahamian sunglasses from the 1965 film. Also available are 007’s ‘Joe’ and ‘Norton’ frames from No Time To Die, bold ‘B Fourteen’ frames based on Roger Moore’s A View to a Kill aviators and the ‘Goldfinger’ sunglasses, modelled on the sporty shades Connery would wear during breaks when filming.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 ‘007 Edition’ Headphones
The worlds of James Bond and music are dynamically, emphatically intertwined. From the very first film, released 60 years ago, Monty Norman’s iconic theme has wended its way into almost every corner of British culture, and is among the most recognisable tunes in the world. Bowers & Wilkins, then, in creating a pair of headphones to celebrate this anniversary, had to do the music justice.
Thankfully, the Px8 ‘007 Edition’ headphones are as stylish as the superspy himself, with a midnight-blue Napa leather construction — celebrating the dinner jacket worn by James Bond in his first on-screen appearance, in 1962’s Dr. No. There’s also an exclusive red power slider, engraved 007 logos and the drive units in each earcup boast a screen print of the iconic gun barrel design.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition
One of several brands in Bond’s garage, Triumph sat alongside such high-octane heavyweights as Aston Martin and Land Rover in the latest film, No Time To Die. In the film’s opening sequence, the commander commandeered a Scrambler 1200. And, to celebrate 60 years of the film franchise, the British bikemaker has unveiled this limited-run Speed Triple 1200 RR ‘Bond Edition’.
Only 60 will be made, and each will be both individually numbered and delivered with a hand-signed certificate of authenticity. The unmistakable Bond gun barrel motif features on the bike’s cockpit fairing, and the tank is adorned with the logos of each official 007 film, from Dr. No to No Time To Die.
Crockett & Jones ‘Hamilton’ Chelsea Boots
In recent years, Crockett & Jones has produced some of the finest footwear James Bond has ever laced up. During Daniel Craig’s tenure in the tuxedo, the heritage British shoemaker has supplied the secret agent with styles including the ‘Norwich’ derby, the ‘Camberley’ double-monk boot and the ‘Tetbury’ chukka. And this year, to celebrate the film franchise’s 60th anniversary, the brand has dipped back into its archives.
Specifically, back to 1962; the year Dr. No was released. And the ‘Hamilton’ — named for Guy Hamilton, the director of four 007 films including Goldfinger and Live and Let Die — is a recreation of a genuine swinging sixties style from Crockett & Jones. Featuring traditional, straight-cut elastics, a plain whole-front vamp and oak bark leather sole, it’s a shoe as sleek, chic and sophisticated as the superspy himself.
Globe-Trotter ‘Dr. No’ Luggage Collection
Like Barton Perreira above, Globe-Trotter’s ‘Dr. No’ luggage collection isn’t the brand’s first foray into the jet-setting world of 007. For 2012’s Skyfall, the British company created a rifle case. In 2015, Bond himself used a Globe-Trotter suitcase in Spectre. And, in No Time To Die, the spy once again relied on the company’s vulcanised fibreboard cases.
To celebrate 60 years since Dr. No, Globe-Trotter has taken inspiration from the film’s iconic title sequence. Originally designed by Maurice Binder, the coloured dots were a modernist marvel — and have now been emblazoned across an attaché case, storage box and two sizes of suitcase by the brand. Each case also comes fitted with an exclusive leather patch, featuring the original 007 logo.
Bollinger 007 60th Anniversary Champagne
But that’s not Globe-Trotter checked out just yet. The British luggagemaker has also teamed up with storied champagne house Bollinger for a 25-piece limited edition launch. Presented in special-edition carry cases — numbered ‘001′ to ‘025’ (it’ll be a lucky buyer who lands ‘007’) — jeroboams of the brand’s 2007 vintage have been created in celebration of Bond, and also bear the bold and dotty Dr. No-inspired artwork.
The signature shade of Bollinger red can be found on the corners and handles of the case, and this colour is also carried across into the striking red rayon lining. The wine itself, aged for 14 years and both riddled and disgorged by hand, fizzes with intense, spicy aromas — notes tempered by touches of brioche, honey and white flowers. We’re sure 007 would approve.
Moke ’60 Years of Bond’ Edition
Between 1967’s You Only Live Twice and 1979’s Moonraker, four James Bond films have featured the small, straightforward convertible known as the Mini Moke. Today, the brand continuous to enjoy an official partnership with the franchise. And, despite not appearing in a 007 film for over four decades, the carmaker has been building reissued special editions since 2021’s ‘San Monique’ model, a car inspired by the Moke Roger Moore helmed in Live and Let Die.
The latest 007 Moke features a midnight blue exterior, a ‘Mango Tree’ wooden dashboard, tan seats and a wooden steering wheel with the Bond logo at its centre. That logo can also be found on the bonnet, and the striking sequential dots pattern has been given a Floris-style sepia spin and printed on the rear wheel cover.
The London Sock Exchange ‘007 Anniversary Giftbox’
When it comes to James Bond’s style, socks are likely not the first things that spring to mind. Instead, you’ll probably conjure up images of Roger Moore’s black turtleneck, Daniel Craig’s ivory dinner jacket or George Lazenby’s bright blue ski suit. Thankfully, this new gift box from The London Sock Exchange immortalises all three of these styles — and more — on cosy cotton melange.
Released to commemorate 60 years of striking, ultra-recognisable outfit changes, the box features six pairs of socks – ‘The Jetpack’, ‘The Off-Piste’, ‘The Undercover’, ‘The Moonraker’, ‘The Double-O’ and ‘The Agent’ – complete with styling notes for each pair. And, thanks to the brand’s signature 200-needle knitting process, each scaled-down superspy is rendered in next-level definition.
The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release
While he’ll always be partial to a shaken-not-stirred martini, James Bond has diversified his drinks order of late — whether that be an ice-cold Heineken or a tot of Blackwell Rum. But one of his most enduring, spirited sponsorships comes courtesy of The Macallan, which appeared in Spectre and memorably in Skyfall, which features a bottle of The Macallan 1962 Fine and Rare.
This year, the Scotch whiskymaker has unveiled not just a single commemorative bottle, but a new limited-edition collection of single malts. With each of the six bottles celebrating a decade of 007’s cinematic adventures, each bottle features an original illustrative design and colour to denote the decade it represents. In a nice touch, the ABV is 43.7% — a subtle nod to Bond’s service number.
Geoffrey Parker ‘Dr. No Dots’ Backgammon Set
Another limited edition to be decked out in dots, Geoffrey Parker’s latest backgammon set makes particularly smart use of the pattern. Employing the colourful discs of Maurice Binder’s iconic title sequence as the game pieces, a bout on this leather-bound board is like seeing Dr. No’s credits come to life.
You’ll also find a hand embossed ‘60th Anniversary 007′ logo above the case’s handle, and the points also borrow Binder’s shades from the colourful dots. For a final espionage-flavoured flourish, the gamemaker has secured the sturdy case using combination locks — ideal for any more covert, classified contests.
Lock & Co. ‘Stoke’ Panama Hat
Like The Macallan above, storied St. James’s hatmaker Lock & Co. has also created an entire collection in celebration of Bond’s cinematic 60th. The five-strong collection of hats includes options for both men and women — from the ‘Auric’, a wool flat cap inspired by the villainous Goldfinger’s, to the ‘Oddjob’, a square-top bowler hat limited to 60 pieces.
But the star of the selection, and the most versatile hat on offer, is this; the ‘Stoke’ Panama. Hand-blocked in the same way as the original hat — a stealthy black number worn by Sean Connery’s Bond in Goldfinger — this design has been finished with a new take on the familiar striped ribbon and a genuine leather sweatband.
Want to spark up in your own celebration of James Bond? Here’s every cigar 007 ever smoked…
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Further reading
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