James Bond Enthusiasts weekend

Ever thought of what it would be like to live a night in the alluring world of James Bond? Are you up to the challenge of testing your knowledge of 007 film and book trivia in competition against some of the most passionate aficionados anywhere?

Mark your calendars for the weekend of September 10 through 11 when a special James Bond Enthusiasts Weekend will be held in Columbia, PA at the National Watch and Clock Museum. Here's an advance look at the Top Secret dossier of events:

Friday - September 10, 2010

• Bond-themed Casino Night (black tie optional) 6:00-10:00 p.m.

Saturday - September 11, 2010

• Bond Watches, James Bond Watches Exhibit Tours / Q&A 10:00 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Jeopardy-style game show, 007 style (advanced sign-up required) 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• Discussion of Ian Fleming's James Bond Books 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• Bond Watches, James Bond Watches Exhibit Tours / Q&A 3:00 p.m.
• Drink Seminar / Sampling (black tie optional) 5:00 -8:00 p.m.
• James Bond Film Screening: For Your Eyes Only 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Those who attend are encouraged to dress as their favorite James Bond character, whether it is one of the glamorous Bond girls, infamous villain, henchman, or Agent 007 himself. Anonymous judges will be present to decide on the best dressed character. Guests of all ages are allowed to attend. The kick-off Casino Night will include classic casino games such as Poker, Blackjack, and slot machines.

Prizes will be awarded to participants with the highest chip count at the casino night, character clothing, and the winner of "Bond Jeopardy."

The James Bond Enthusiasts Weekend is being held in complement to the first-of-its-kind Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum. This display will include the widest selection of 007-related watch models ever collected, representing all brands in the Eon Productions movies and officially-licensed timepieces. Highlighting the exhibit will be none other than the only known Rolex owned and worn by Bond-creator Ian Fleming - believed to be his reference for the original, literary James Bond wristwatch.

"We chose For Your Eyes Only as the Bond film to cap off this weekend because of how well it brings together so many aspects of what the Museum has accomplished here," notes Dell Deaton, of JamesBondWatches.com and Bond Watches exhibit guest curator. "The plot draws heavily on vintage Fleming story elements. It proved the Eon Productions film franchise under the solo lead of Cubby Broccoli would continue to thrive into its third decade.

"It also features two fine examples from among the Bond watches supplied as product placements by Seiko U.K. Consumer models of each will be on display and discussed as part of the guided exhibit tours we're providing as part of the James Bond Enthusiasts Weekend."

Co-sponsors of the Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibit include Watchmakers International, which is exclusively responsible for bringing in the original Ian Fleming Rolex Explorer 1016 to the entire run of this year-long exhibit, and Revolution magazine, "the technical guide to luxury watches." See www.watchmakers.com and www.horomundi.com for more information.

Dell Deaton is guest curator of this Bond Watches, James Bond Watches exhibition and author-creator of the JamesBondWatches.com website. He is a member of both the National Watch & Clock Association and American Marketing Association, and an internationally recognized expert on Ian Fleming and James Bond horology.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501 association with over 18.000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Museum is also open on Mondays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, visit our website on www.nawcc.org or call 717-684-8261.