Daniel Craig’s Bond drops from an excavator into a wrecked train, straightens up and adjusts his cufflinks. The pair on his cuffs is the Tom Ford cylinder cufflinks in white gold, sold by the maker as the Striped T cufflinks. We would rather own this pair than the more elaborate cufflinks he wears elsewhere in the film.
In the film
Bond wears them in the opening sequence of Skyfall (2012), set in Turkey. They are the cufflinks he adjusts after the excavator jump onto the train. Elsewhere in the film he wears two other pairs by Tom Ford: a pair made for the film, and round mother-of-pearl links with his tuxedo.
The details of the Tom Ford cylinder cufflinks
18K white gold. The reference is JM0093U-G18KW. A resale listing describes the metal as rhodium-plated and marked 750, the hallmark for 18-carat gold. White gold sits easily against steel, which is part of its appeal.
A plain cylinder. The form is a small barrel, estimated at about 25mm long and 6mm across according to one resale listing. The shape is restrained, so the effect is of a good shirt rather than of jewellery.
The signature on the side. The Tom Ford name is engraved on the side of the cylinder, a discreet mark for a pair this quiet.
The name. Tom Ford sells the design as the Striped T cufflinks. The reference to look for is JM0093U-G18KW.
Wearing it now
Cufflinks like these suit the man who owns few and wears them often. White gold is the easiest metal to live with: it works with a steel watch, a silver pen, a navy or charcoal suit and a plain white or pale blue shirt. Yellow gold suits a different man.
When to wear them. Under a business suit, to a wedding, at a dinner where the jacket stays on. A cylinder is plain enough for a Tuesday and good enough for a Saturday evening. We would not wear them with black tie, where a pair of mother-of-pearl links or studs is the better choice.
What to pair them with. Keep the rest of the cuff quiet: a crisp double cuff, a dress watch or a slim steel one, no pocket square competing with them. Let the cuffs show a centimetre below the jacket sleeve and no more.
Care. Rhodium plating is thin, so wipe the links with a soft dry cloth after wearing and keep them away from perfume and hand cream. Store them in the box, not loose in a travel bag where they will scratch.
New or pre-owned? Tom Ford sells the cufflinks new, and pre-owned pairs appear on authenticated resale sites. If you buy second-hand, check the 750 hallmark and the Tom Ford signature, and ask for the box. The wider Craig era is worth a look before you decide.
Specifications
| Reference | JM0093U-G18KW |
|---|---|
| Maker | Tom Ford (Striped T cufflinks) |
| Metal | 18K white gold, rhodium-plated, marked 750 (per a resale listing) |
| Form | Cylinder, estimated at about 25mm long and 6mm across (per a resale listing) |
| Weight | Approximately 22g (per a resale listing) |
| Marking | Tom Ford engraved on the side |
| Price | Set by Tom Ford; see the retailer page for the current RRP |
Full details and current availability are on Tom Ford’s own page for the cufflinks.
Questions
Are these the cufflinks Bond wears in Skyfall?
Yes. Bond wears the Tom Ford Striped T cylinder cufflinks, reference JM0093U-G18KW, in the Turkey opening of Skyfall. He adjusts them after the jump onto the train.
What are the Skyfall cufflinks made of?
They are 18K white gold. A resale listing describes the metal as rhodium-plated and hallmarked 750.
Where can I buy the Skyfall cufflinks?
Tom Ford lists the reference JM0093U-G18KW on its own site. Pre-owned pairs turn up on authenticated resale sites, where the 750 hallmark, the Tom Ford signature and the original box are worth checking.
Do these cufflinks work with a tuxedo?
They can, but we would not choose them for black tie. A plain white gold cylinder is better kept for a suit and a business shirt, with mother-of-pearl or studs for the evening.
For more from the film, see our Skyfall guide and the rest of our accessories.
