At first glance, this ring might seem like an abstract, openwork statement piece. And it is that—but so much more. It’s perhaps one of the most significant pieces in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. In the film, Bond, our favorite international playboy, took his one and only walk down the aisle—007, played by George Lazenby, married Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (better known as Teresa “Tracy” Draco), played by Diana Rigg—and when he did, he used the ring shown above.
But in true 007 fashion, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to his wedding band. Designed by jeweler Charles de Temple, the bicolor, 18k gold band incorporates letters spelling out “All the Time in the World” around both the exterior and interior—a nod to a recurring theme throughout the film as well as the film’s song, “We Have All the Time in the World,” sung by Louis Armstrong. Spoiler alert, “the phrase also takes on a poignant tone as the final words of the film. Bond’s bride is killed by assassins shortly after their wedding, and Bond reads the words on the ring aloud as he cradles her in his arms,” according to Sotheby’s.
Now, Sotheby’s is auctioning off the pop culture treasure in its Fine Jewels sale in London Feb. 3–10. One of two created for the film, the other piece sold at Sotheby’s for an astonishing £52,500 (approximately $70,458) against a presale estimate of £6,000–£8,000 (approximately $8,052–$10,736) in 2019. The remaining piece is expected to go for £15,000–£20,000 (approximately $20,130–$26,841), but as the last of the two, it will likely sell for much more.
After the film’s tremendous success, de Temple produced a 50-piece limited-edition collection also reading bearing “All the Love in the World” but none were as rare as this design.
Top: Charles de Temple 18k gold ring, 1960s
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