Aston Martin DB5 stunt car
Prepare to be shaken — and perhaps a little stirred — by an upcoming sale of James Bond memorabilia.
Christie’s and Eon Productions will hold a two-day charity sale, 60 Years of James Bond, celebrating six decades of the British spy on the silver screen.
A live sale on September 28th features 25 lots, comprising costumes, props and watches, many of which are related to the 25th Bond film, No Time to Die.
Topping the bill is the iconic silver Aston Martin DB5 stunt car, the only DB5 stunt car to be released for sale. Estimated at £1.5 million-£2 million (€1.78 million-€2.37 million), it is being sold by Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, with all proceeds donated to British charities.
Aston Martin has been associated with James Bond for more than 50 years, featuring in 13 films to date. The car is one of only eight constructed for James Bond, and features in the dramatic opening car chase driven by Bond (Daniel Craig) with Madeline Swann (Léa Seydoux) at his side, while speeding through the Italian countryside. With a 3.2 litre petrol engine and manual gearbox, the car has sport Tillett stunt seats and bespoke braking and suspension systems — engineered by Aston Martin Special Projects.
However, new owners will not be emulating the spy’s automobile handling skills any time soon, as the vehicle is being sold as a “non-runner” collector’s item.
“It was built to be capable of certain specific limited uses by trained professional stunt drivers in a controlled environment for filming only and is not sold as a means of transport,” according to catalogue notes.
But, should the new owner wish to use the car as a means of transport, he or she will be responsible for tests and repairs, which will be bespoke and require custom built parts from Aston Martin.
Tom Ford two-piece dinner suit with Crockett & Jones shoes. Photograph: Nicola Dove
However, the successful bidder on the Tom Ford two-piece dinner suit with Crockett & Jones shoes can wear the black single breasted shawl collar tuxedo to their hearts content, if its size (50 R and size nine shoes) fits the bill. Worn by Craig to the Spectre party, it is one of four two-piece suits worn by him in No Time to Die.
The internal jacket pocket is embroidered with the label Tom Ford/Daniel Craig and the successful bidder, who it is estimated will shell out between £25,000 and £30,000 (€29,680-€35,610) for the outfit, will also be supplied with a made to measure dinner suit from Tom Ford.
Five black silk bow ties
A more budget-friendly sartorial option are five black silk bow ties worn by (and each is signed by) Craig as James Bond, as a memento of the five James Bond films in which the actor stars (£5,000-£7,000/€5,940-€8,310).
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 edition watch
An Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 edition watch, “specifically built from titanium to withstand the rigours” of action scenes, is also on offer. Omega is said to have worked with Craig and the film-makers to develop the timepiece, which the actor wore in No Time to Die. The dark brown anodised aluminium military style wristwatch has a custom watch box and certificate, signed by film producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli; chief executive of Omega, Raynald Aeschlimann; and of course Daniel Craig (£15,000-£20,000/€17,810-€23,740).
Elizabeth Birdthistle, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about property, fine arts, antiques and collectables