A couple of unique observations about Connery’s straps:
1. If you look closely at the pictures of the brown leather strap, it definitely looks like it’s 19mm.
2. While it’s often asserted, the nylon strap from “ Goldfinger” and “Thunderball” was most definitely NOT a NATO strap:
A. The specification for the NATO strap wasn’t published until August of 1968 (DefStan 66-4 Issue 1).
B. Other than being a one piece nylon strap, it didn’t share anything in common with the NATO strap. It didn’t have metal keepers (it had a single fixed nylon keeper of the same diameter and pattern as the rest of the strap), it had a horseshoe buckle (probably nickel plated brass rather than chrome plated brass), was 16mm, and had no extension under the watch.
C. My dad has a strap that looks IDENTICAL to Connery’s, only the stripes are blue and red with green piping, and the buckle is brushed brass (but of the same shape). It’s a cheap commercial strap he picked up at an antique shop because of its resemblance to the Connery strap.
Here’s my best guess at the story:
1. It was likely originally Cubby Broccoli’s personal watch, probably on an Oyster bracelet
2. During “Dr. No” the production replaced the bracelet with the largest dress strap they could get their hands on, which happened to be 19mm
3. When principal photography began for “Goldfinger,” the leather strap finally failed and they scrounged up the cheapest nylon strap they could find
I’ll get a photo of my dad’s nylon strap when I can manage it
