James Bond auction raises $2.6 million

A London sale of James Bond souvenirs to mark the secret agent's 50th silver-screen anniversary has raised over $2.6 million (two million euros), Christie's auction house said Wednesday. Buyers from 42 countries took part in the auction with all proceeds going to to charity. The auction took place in two stages, firstly online from September 28 to October 8, and secondly during a party at Christie's auction house on Friday. Notable guests included actor Roger Moore, who played the famous agent on the big screen, and Judi Dench, who appears in Skyfall, the saga's latest installment which is released on October 24. Many of the objects on offer were supplied by Eon Productions, the British company that has produced the Bond films. The highlight of the collection was the Aston Martin DBS driven by Daniel Craig, the current Bond, in the opening scene of "Quantum of Solace" (2008), during an Italian car chase. The car, estimated pre-auction at between $160,000 and $240,000, finally went under the hammer for $390,101. The titanium Omega watch worn by Craig in Skyfall sold for $250,000 euros while his Tom Ford tuxedo was snapped up for $75,000. A buyer also shelled out $71,876 for the baby blue swimming trunks worn by Craig in "Casino Royale" (2006). In total, $2,615,000 was raised during both sales for various charities including UNICEF.