In the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, James Bond tied the knot with Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, also known as Teresa “Tracy” Draco. The iconic wedding ring used in the movie is now going up for auction.
The ring, designed by Charles de Temple, is made of 18K bi-color gold and features the inscription “All the Time in the World.” The textured white gold background highlights the yellow letters, giving the ring a unique and melted appearance.
The phrase “All the Time in the World” is a recurring theme in the movie and is also the title of the theme song performed by Louis Armstrong. In a heartbreaking scene, Bond’s bride is killed, and he reads the words on the ring while holding her in his arms.
Two rings of this design were created for the film, and one was sold by Sotheby’s in 2019. The auction generated significant excitement, driving the price from the estimated £6,000-£8,000 to a staggering £52,500.
Now, the second ring is being offered at Sotheby’s Fine Jewels Auction in London. The estimated price range for the ring is £15,000-£20,000, but it is expected to fetch a much higher amount.
Charles de Temple, the designer behind the ring, gained recognition for his textured gold and gem-set work during the swinging London era. He became one of the sought-after jewelry designers, along with names like Andrew Grima, George Weil, and John Donald.
De Temple’s innovative designs made him the perfect choice for Bond’s jewelry. In 1964, at the premiere of Goldfinger, the actress Honor Blackman, who played Pussy Galore, wore a de Temple 22K gold piece with a diamond on her pinky finger.
Following the release of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, de Temple created a limited edition series of 50 rings inspired by the film, each with a unique design.
Take a look at the trailer of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service to get a feel for the film’s style and to hear a snippet of the famous Louis Armstrong theme song.
