Jean Dujardin as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath in OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006)
Vitals
Jean Dujardin as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, suave French agent OSS 117
Cairo, Spring 1955
Film: OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
(French title: OSS 117: Le Caire, nid d’espions)
Release Date: April 19, 2006
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Costume Designer: Charlotte David
Tailor: Joseph Kergoat
Background
Our debonair protagonist spends most of OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies in one tailored suit or the other, but he briefly dressed down for an adventure in the desert, sporting a black long-sleeve polo shirt reminiscent of Sean Connery’s preferred covert casual wear in James Bond films like Goldfinger and Thunderball.
What’d He Wear?
Hubert’s black long-sleeve polo shirt appears to be a luxurious lightweight silk or silk-like knit material. Hubert buttons the bottom two of the three black plastic buttons, leaving the top button undone and allowing the large self-collar to sit flat. The set-in sleeves have plain, elasticized cuffs that Hubert rolls partway up his arm. (One could take issue with the wisdom of Hubert’s decision to wear black silk on a hot day in the desert, but it’s hardly the most problematic of his decisions…)
The “early Bond” look isn’t limited to Hubert’s Goldfinger-esque shirt. His sky blue flat front trousers also recall the pants worn by Connery in his first 007 outing, Dr. No, during an expedition on the island of Crab Key. Hubert’s untucked shirt mostly covers his waist so we can’t tell if his trousers have side adjuster tabs à la Bond or are worn with a belt, but they certainly have side pockets, jetted back pockets, and taper down to the short break plain-hemmed bottoms.
Hubert’s beige-colored suede loafers coordinates with his sandy surroundings and appear to be worn sockless. The soles are brown leather.
Hubert springs into action.
Hubert’s watch is a vintage-inspired Tissot Heritage 150 Chronograph, introduced in a limited run celebrating Tissot’s 150th anniversary in 2003 when it retailed for $3,300. Though technically anachronistic for a film set in the mid-1950s, the classic look of the Heritage 150 Chronograph with its stainless 39.5mm case, dark brown alligator band, and silver dial (with three sub-dials and date window) serves its purpose as evoking the look of a timepiece that would have been worn by both dashing bon vivants and rugged adventurers alike.
Note Hubert’s Tissot Heritage 150 Chronograph, discussed above.
How to Get the Look
Whether intentionally or not, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies pays homage to Sean Connery’s casual wear in early entries of the James Bond series, mixing 007’s black and blue to create a comfortably debonair outfit for an afternoon in the sun.
- Black silk long-sleeve polo shirt with large collar, three black buttons, and set-in sleeves with elasticized cuffs
- Sky blue flat front trousers with side pockets, jetted back pockets, and plain-hemmed bottoms
- Beige suede loafers with brown soles
- Tissot Heritage 150 Chronograph T66.1.712.31 with stainless 39.5mm case, silver dial (with three sub-dials), and dark brown alligator leather strap
Do Yourself a Favor and…
Buy the movie.
