From futility closet: ---------------------------------- Ian Fleming never describes James Bond’s physical appearance in any detail, so in December 1962, before the release of the first Bond film, Dr. No, Playboy art director Arthur Paul sent an inquiry to his office. He received this reply: Dear Mr. Paul, As Mr. Fleming is away from London I sent him your letter and here now is his description of James Bond: Height: 6 ft 1 in. Build: Slim hips, broad shoulders Eyes: Steely blue-grey Hair: Black, with comma over right forehead Weight: 12 stone 8 lb. Age: Middle thirties Features: Determined chin, rather cruel mouth. Scar down right cheek from cheekbone. Cleanshaven Apparel: Wears two-button single-breasted suit in dark blue tropical worsted. Black leather belt. White Sea Island cotton shirt, sleeveless. Black casual shoes, square toed Thin black knitted silk tie, no pin Dark blue socks, cotton lisle. No handkerchief in breast pocket Wears Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch I hope this information is sufficient for your purpose. Yours sincerely, [unsigned] Secretary to Ian Fleming
Sounds about right. That pretty much fits the descriptions of Bond in the books, beginning with Casino Royale, and further details provided in subsequent volumes. Fleming didn't specify the Rolex until the scene in Live and Let Die when Bond is scuba diving under Mr. Big's yacht. It's mentioned again in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Oddly enough, in the late '50s there was a comic strip adaptation of the Fleming novels in the Daily Express, and the artist in charge of the illustration read Fleming's description of Bond carefully. He then drew an uncanny likeness of Sean Connery ... years before Connery was cast in the role.