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Post by NoShear on Apr 2, 2023 16:46:24 GMT
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Post by BunnyWhit on Apr 2, 2023 21:16:51 GMT
Thanks for this, NoShear. Been watching some Rat Patrol have we?
I can't really tell from these pics, but I've been doing some deducing. (And take everything I say with a grain of salt, for I'm no horologist.)
My initial reaction is that Christopher George certainly could be wearing a Seamaster 300.....but I hope he's not.
Omega first introduced the Seamaster in 1948 based on British naval designs. It is a dress watch, sleek and lovely.
The Seamaster 300 made its first appearance in 1957, along with the Speedmaster and Railmaster. The North African campaign in WWII was from early summer 1940 through May of 1943. So, we have some dates in conflict here.
It looks to me like George is wearing his watch on a Bund strap. The Bund was first issued to German aviators in WWII. The timing (see what I did there?) is appropriate for such a strap, and the purpose of the design was to keep watch cases from getting too hot, too cold, or too wet on the wearer's wrist. Such a design definitely would serve well in North Africa during WWII, but I don't really want to see Sgt. Troy wearing it while he's fighting Nazis. I would rather see his watch on a pull-through strap because it was the prefered American strap (though open-end straps certainly were worn) rather than on the strap of choice of the Luftwaffe.
So I did a little snooping to see what other characters in the program are wearing, and it looks like they are using various sorts of watches, though again, I'm seeing them only in flashes and not very close up. But I think I'm seeing a variety of watches on these guys, accompanied by a couple different strap varieties. Because military issued watches are designed to withstand environments "ordinary" watches are not, and because synchronizing was important for troops, I would much rather see all of these characters wearing the same watch.
I also think I saw George wearing a different watch from this one in some episodes, but I'm not sure if I am imagining that or just can't see it clearly.
I have come to the conclusion that the wardrobe department for The Rat Patrol was not very particular. Even if Christopher George is wearing his own watch, in which case it certainly could be a Seamaster 300, I think that falls in the realm of a not-so-particular costumer because it still is not period appropriate.
For the context of The Rat Patrol, I really want this watch to be an American military issued A-11 field watch, but I just can't say if I think that's what this is.
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Post by sepiatone on Apr 3, 2023 15:42:59 GMT
Thanks for your post Bunny. Until reading it I thought Noshear was referring to the Australian bush hat Christopher George was wearing in that shot. They were really big in American "head" shops in the late '60's. I liked 'em and even had a yellow one. Cheaply made, it bought the farm when I got caught in a downpour and it got soaked. Looked like a raisin hat when it dried.  I can't imagine how boring the episode he was watching must have been to cause him to pay more attention to the watch instead of what was going on in the story.  Sepiatone |
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Post by NoShear on Apr 3, 2023 15:58:15 GMT
Re: "Thanks for this, NoShear. Been watching some Rat Patrol have we?
I have come to the conclusion that the wardrobe department for The Rat Patrol was not very particular. Even if Christopher George is wearing his own watch, in which case it certainly could be a Seamaster 300, I think that falls in the realm of a not-so-particular costumer because it still is not period appropriate."
You're welcome, BunnyWhit, and "Oh, yeah!!" - if only for Christopher George's slouch hat and the Afrika Korps props... You're observant in that there was stretching when it came to the wardrobe department - most notably with the Sgt. Troy headwear which Australians found objectionable. |
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Post by NoShear on Apr 3, 2023 19:11:05 GMT
Re: "(And take everything I say with a grain of salt, for I'm no horologist.)
My initial reaction is that Christopher George certainly could be wearing a Seamaster 300.....but I hope he's not." watch, in which case it certainly could be a Seamaster 300, I think that falls in the realm of a not-so-particular costumer because it still is not period appropriate."
I take everything you write about watches with much more than a grain of salt and wonder: If BunnyWhit is no horologist, then who is?? Thank you for the time you spent - no pun intended - with the watch. Your watch thread now, BunnyWhit... |
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Post by BunnyWhit on Apr 3, 2023 19:30:22 GMT
You're observant in that there was stretching when it came to the wardrobe department - most notably with the Sgt. Troy headwear which Australians found objectionable.
So many varieties of headwear are objectionable to so many people, yet they are often one of the first garments a costumer reaches for because they so immediately tell the viewer where and when the action is taking place, even if the association is a stereotype or mark of oppression.
Even if the rest of the costume is not spot-on, film and television makers could do a better job at making costumes accurate by getting headgear right. It's hard to overlook a hat.
There is a growing community interested in seeing properly attired characters in film. As a sewist myself, I am always interested to see if costumes are period correct in their style, fabrics, color choices, and construction methods. Some get it very right, but most get it anywhere from a little wrong (which I typically chalk up to artistic license) to blatantly wrong, to violently offensive. I believe this is not often (probably rarely) the sole fault of the wardrobe department, as so often their hands are tied by budget restraints or the whims of producers. Certainly stylistic license is to be expected, but if I am to take a story seriously, I want to see that all the characters are wearing what would have been worn in the period. Period.
Slouch hats, pith helmets, nón lás, toques, sombreros, the various styles of cowboy hats, and other hat styles say so much about the film characters wearing them.....but I think they say even more about the filmmakers.
(Please pardon the rant, NoShear. You unknowingly poked the bear!) |
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Post by NoShear on Apr 4, 2023 2:39:11 GMT
You're observant in that there was stretching when it came to the wardrobe department - most notably with the Sgt. Troy headwear which Australians found objectionable.
So many varieties of headwear are objectionable to so many people, yet they are often one of the first garments a costumer reaches for because they so immediately tell the viewer where and when the action is taking place, even if the association is a stereotype or mark of oppression.
Even if the rest of the costume is not spot-on, film and television makers could do a better job at making costumes accurate by getting headgear right. It's hard to overlook a hat.
There is a growing community interested in seeing properly attired characters in film. As a sewist myself, I am always interested to see if costumes are period correct in their style, fabrics, color choices, and construction methods. Some get it very right, but most get it anywhere from a little wrong (which I typically chalk up to artistic license) to blatantly wrong, to violently offensive. I believe this is not often (probably rarely) the sole fault of the wardrobe department, as so often their hands are tied by budget restraints or the whims of producers. Certainly stylistic license is to be expected, but if I am to take a story seriously, I want to see that all the characters are wearing what would have been worn in the period. Period.
Slouch hats, pith helmets, nón lás, toques, sombreros, the various styles of cowboy hats, and other hat styles say so much about the film characters wearing them.....but I think they say even more about the filmmakers.
(Please pardon the rant, NoShear. You unknowingly poked the bear!) As I thought of this being your thread, BunnyWhit, rant away... As you're a sewist, BunnyWhit, presumably you're fond of the British period pieces such as MISS SCARLET & The Duke which I thought of first for you:  |
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Post by BunnyWhit on Apr 22, 2023 21:07:29 GMT
Thanks for this post, NoShear. I've not yet watched any of Miss Scarlet, but it's on my list! From what I can tell from the pics I've looked at, the costumes are quite nice, but it looks a little bit to me like perhaps she is not properly foundationed? I'll have to give the program a watch to see if I still think that after seeing the character in motion. Sometimes a still plays tricks.
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Post by NoShear on Apr 23, 2023 0:25:19 GMT
Thanks for this post, NoShear. I've not yet watched any of Miss Scarlet, but it's on my list! From what I can tell from the pics I've looked at, the costumes are quite nice, but it looks a little bit to me like perhaps she is not properly foundationed? I'll have to give the program a watch to see if I still think that after seeing the character in motion. Sometimes a still plays tricks. You're very welcome, BunnyWhit... As you're a sewist with a penchant for film, hopefully you work or have worked somewhere in the entertainment field. If not, hopefully you still will. |
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Post by BunnyWhit on Apr 23, 2023 16:13:19 GMT
Kind words, NoShear, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you.
Aside from doing some theater as a kid and in high school, I've never been in the biz. I had a few pretty interesting jobs along the way, as people do, but my career was teaching English and history to undergrads, later coupled with editing college history, poli sci, and philosophy textbooks. Very often, my answer to the query "and what do you do?" elicited audible groans and contorted looks of disapproval followed by a speedy exit by the person who had asked the question. I should have told people I cleaned up crime scenes. Or that I was a marine biologist.
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Post by sepiatone on Apr 23, 2023 16:34:35 GMT
Better than saying you're a brain surgeon or a "double naught spy"  Or you could just say, "As little as possible." Sepiatone |
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Post by BunnyWhit on Apr 24, 2023 19:10:46 GMT
This weekend we watched The Brothers Bloom (2008). I found the film to be medium-good, but the costumes are great.
Both Bloom (Adrien Brody) and Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) sport flashy wristwear. Any of the watches in the film could be Brody's or Ruffalo's personals, as I know they both are collectors.
Here's a nice view of Bloom's Panerai Luminor on a leather strap.
Later he wears a Tag Heuer Carrera.
Not sure, but I think Ruffalo might also wear a Tag in the film. His watches seem to be a bit less on display. Plus, I was knitting while watching the film, so I wasn't paying super-close attention. But the film has a very nice aesthetic.
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Post by NoShear on Apr 24, 2023 20:15:42 GMT
Kind words, NoShear, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you.
Aside from doing some theater as a kid and in high school, I've never been in the biz. I had a few pretty interesting jobs along the way, as people do, but my career was teaching English and history to undergrads, later coupled with editing college history, poli sci, and philosophy textbooks. Very often, my answer to the query "and what do you do?" elicited audible groans and contorted looks of disapproval followed by a speedy exit by the person who had asked the question. I should have told people I cleaned up crime scenes. Or that I was a marine biologist. I'm not disappointed, BunnyWhit: Teaching is an admirable profession... It just seems like your skills set lend themselves to the wardrobe department. |
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Post by NoShear on Apr 25, 2023 19:42:02 GMT
This weekend we watched The Brothers Bloom (2008). I found the film to be medium-good, but the costumes are great.
Both Bloom (Adrien Brody) and Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) sport flashy wristwear. Any of the watches in the film could be Brody's or Ruffalo's personals, as I know they both are collectors.
Here's a nice view of Bloom's Panerai Luminor on a leather strap.
Later he wears a Tag Heuer Carrera.
Not sure, but I think Ruffalo might also wear a Tag in the film. His watches seem to be a bit less on display. Plus, I was knitting while watching the film, so I wasn't paying super-close attention. But the film has a very nice aesthetic. I would hate to have to run a period piece by you when you are paying super-close attention, BunnyWhit. |
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Post by NoShear on Apr 27, 2023 15:30:55 GMT
Thanks for this post, NoShear. I've not yet watched any of Miss Scarlet, but it's on my list! From what I can tell from the pics I've looked at, the costumes are quite nice, but it looks a little bit to me like perhaps she is not properly foundationed? I'll have to give the program a watch to see if I still think that after seeing the character in motion. Sometimes a still plays tricks. BunnyWhit, this week I was reminded of another period piece suggestion for you:  |
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