Charles de Temple

This distinctive ring was one of only two designed by the jeweller Charles de Temple for the 1969 James Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. The first ring which sold at Sotheby's in 2019 garnered international press attention and ended up hammering down for a spectacular £52,500 against a pre-sale estimate of £6,000-£8,000. The ring is central to the film's narrative, as it serves as the wedding ring given by Bond (George Lazenby) to the Contessa Teresa "Tracy" di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) on the occasion of their wedding, 007's only marriage. The romantic message 'All the Time in the World' spelled out by the ring's design is a recurring theme throughout the film, and also the title of the film's theme song, performed by Louis Armstrong. However, the phrase also takes on a poignant tone as the final words of the film - Bond's bride is tragically killed by assassins shortly after their wedding, and Bond reads the words on the ring aloud as he cradles her in his arms.

The ring's eyecatching bi-coloured design and its unusual prominence in the film brought de Temple considerable success, and to meet demand, de Temple produced a limited edition of 50 copies, of a similar design to the original but reading 'All the Love in the World'.  

The present owner bought the ring from a close family friend who is thought to have purchased it from Charles de Temple in the early 1970s.