Author Archive

Sham K

I’m going to take a different twist at the Bond Experience. As David said, it’s about living like Bond, and enjoying the things in life that are taken for granted.

A few years ago, I had a chance to go to London on an all-expense paid business trip for a week. I decided to bring my wife and young daughter with me, as it would be great to share the experience and show them a city I’ve visited since I was a child.

The Ritz

Firstly, I started out by flying by Virgin Atlantic, the current airline of the Bond franchise.…

Michael Cocivera

One of the most exciting things about Bond lifestyles and experiences is learning a new talent and putting it to use. This past fall I did just that. I decided it was time to learn how to scuba dive. I’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive because I am a photographer and videographer, and because it was something I was dreaming of doing after watching Thunderball and 20,000 league Under the Sea as a child.

After earning my PADI certification this past October I went to Isla Mujeres, Mexico for Thanksgiving. While this is not a Bond location it was a “Bond Experience” for me because I totally felt out of my element.…

By now you have hopefully viewed Part 1 of the Dezer Collection Museum Tour and like me was floored by the sheer massiveness of the collection.

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I first booked the videoing of this event as I didn’t expect much. Firstly, most car museums I have been to are cold, damp warehouses with the smell of oil and mildew that are as inviting as a World War bunker. I also was fully expecting the James Bond collection to be housed in a dark corner with a few sloppy posters.

I am delighted to say I was happily and most certainly surprised.…

Michele

I was born to be a spy. I realize that now. I am studying National Security Studies and this is where my suspicions were confirmed.

But I can’t be a spy because I realized it too late. I’m too old by just a year.

I'd rather be Bond than a Bond girl

When I was 14 and I had just become a teen my mom asked me what I wanted to do. I told her I wanted to go see a Bond movie. Luckily the summer movie season was in full swing and I got to see everyone’s favorite spy.…

TJ

Tom Sambrook

I hope this qualifies but I used to work with Tom Sambrook, who was one of the main poker school advisors on Casino Royale and was working with him at the time he was working on the movie. We worked on a Poker show on UK TV for a couple of years.

He trained all the actors either how to play or how to look the part so the scene flowed with as much realism as possible.

If you watch the special features on Casino Royale, you will see Tom sitting with Mads Mikkaelson enjoying a laugh. They also described how hard it was to shoot with 8 or so players around a table and getting the eye lines correct.…

Ross Decarlo

The story starts from numerous people making suggestions as to where the enjoying death chinos came from, with ideas for some that were costing upwards of 200 pound but even then had sold out. All I can say is I am glad they had.

Then Mesta Bond worked his magic and found out the chinos actually came from the high street store Topman (Topman is a fairly cheap store that sells massive amount of clothes all around the UK); not where I would have thought Bond would have gone shopping.

The model number for the chinos worn in Bond was 68L19DGRY!…

Mark Seitz

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Bond franchise, and the release of Skyfall, our rifle club hosted a “James Bond Shoot”. The course of fire was a simple three rounds into the backs of reversed playing cards to make a baccarrat hand. Of course, you could only use the cards you hit!

First Prize was a pair of etched martini glasses, with the recipe for the Vesper martini etched around the lower rim. Other prizes were second hand Bond novel, and various other “Bond-ish” items.

After the shoot, we all had lunch and saw a matinee screening of Skyfall.…

You will notice we are doing product reviews again in the video section. I am a big believer that a purchase can be made or destroyed by more than just a bad product. The service and customer experience is paramount when it comes to luxury items and quite frankly if I am paying a premium, I fully expect an elevated level of service.

I am not saying everyone has to usher in a Tom Ford experience of single malts, champagne and round-the-clock service, but is it too much to ask for the basics? To me the basics are:

1. Respond to your emails and potential customers.…

Mark Lane

On a mild early January day in 2013 I slide the metallic strap of my 40th anniversary Omega Seamaster on my tanned wrist, pull on the new Sunspel navy t-shirt and kaki Levi jeans…ready for the event ahead. I reach for the Gillette razor and aftershave; it’s not often I visit 16th century castle in the heart of the England so a smooth shave is a must. A splash of Coco Reban for men and I’m set to go.

Driving my dark blue Renault Espace MPV (not exactly a Bond car) through the tight winding roads of the Staffordshire countryside in the very centre of Great Britain, this mild winters day blue skies no breeze.…

Thomas Newhard

I am a fitness model and follower of the James Bond life and experiences. I was a thin but athletic person until I saw Casino Royale, which motivated me to create my own James Bond workout and routine. I would say it worked. Here is my workout:

James Bond workout I usually do a 2 a day workout. I did free weights up until about a year ago because I didn’t have a gym membership; just a bench, kettle bell and some dumbbells. But I would switch it up with machines. Once you plateau, you need to trick the body.…