The Story Behind the Iconic Connery Nylon Strap
Have you ever wondered how certain fashion trends become iconic? Let's take a trip down memory lane to explore the fascinating story behind our popular "Connery" watch straps.
How did it all begin?
It all started with the legendary actor, Sean Connery, who was the first to portray the suave and sophisticated — yet daring — British MI6 spy, James Bond (aka, 007). During the filming of Goldfinger, a crew member's undersized nylon strap was used to accommodate Connery and his Rolex Submariner ref. 6538.
Still from Goldfinger (1964) showing Sean Connery checking his Rolex Submariner reference 6538 and the now iconic "Connery" 1pc nylon strap.
Interestingly, the now iconic nylon strap pictured in the scene is noticeably too narrow for the watch's lugs. But only Connery could pull that off!
The iconic moment
As the cameras rolled, Sean Connery, in his role as James Bond, checked the time, inadvertently revealing his Rolex Submariner watch with the borrowed nylon strap. Little did anyone know at that moment, this seemingly small mishap would go on to become a defining fashion statement.
The legacy lives on
That single moment on screen forever cemented the association between Sean Connery's portrayal of James Bond and the now-famous multi-colored nylon watch strap. The rugged yet stylish look of the strap perfectly complemented Bond's adventurous and sophisticated persona as portrayed by Connery, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide.
Today, our "Connery" 1pc nylon straps and 2pc nylon straps pay homage to the daring and dashing qualities of Connery's portrayal of a man of all qualities, and it remain a symbol of timeless elegance and understated cool, while able to transform into a dive watch band when your mission calls for last-minute action.
Two Bonds: One Connery
You might be wondering why there are two "Bond" NATO straps. This is partially due to the fact that, in those days, film resolution was poor and the lack of fidelity led some to believe Connery was wearing a black strap with grey stripes.
This style has become known as the common Bond nylon strap, which is why we offer the original Connery fashioned nylon strap in a variety of nylon strap styles as well as the more common two-tone Bond style.
The image above features our RECON™ Connery 2pc nylon strap (left) and RECON™ Bond 2pc nylon strap (right).
Our feature banner for this story showcases our HALO™ Elite Connery 1pc nylon strap on Jeff's artfully-patinaed Bronze Glycine Combat dive watch.
Compare all of our Connery-styled nylon watch straps.
Compare all of our Bond-styled nylon watch straps, including the Connery style.
Last minute lasting impact
So, the next time you catch a glimpse of a nylon watch strap reminiscent of the one worn by Sean Connery as the ultimate James Bond, remember the story behind its rise to fame. Sometimes, it's the unexpected moments that leave a lasting impact on style and culture.