To mark Thunderball’s 60th anniversary, Anthony Sinclair and Jantzen have recreated Sean Connery’s iconic “Bondi Colt” swim shorts - faithfully reproduced from Jantzen's extensive archives.
Sean Connery modelling his Jantzen swimwear alongside Martine Beswick in Thunderball (1965)
Credit: Collection Christophel
When Sean Connery strode out of the Bahamian surf in Thunderball (1965), it was not a bespoke suit but a pair of Jantzen “Bondi Colt” swim shorts that stole the scene. The sleek, tailored silhouette captured the essence of mid-century leisure - clean lines, muted tones, and a touch of quiet confidence. For decades, these shorts remained the stuff of legend: admired by Bond aficionados, but never faithfully reproduced.
Sean Connery pictured in the Bahamas with Thunderball leading lady and former Miss France, Claudine Auger. (July 1965)
Credit: PA Archive
That changed when the Anthony Sinclair team embarked on a transatlantic mission of their own. Travelling to Los Angeles, they delved deep into the century-old Jantzen archive: a treasure trove of swimwear history dating back to 1910. The search was meticulous: drawers of sketches, boxes of samples, and yellowed spec sheets from Hollywood’s golden age. Among the stacks, they discovered the prize: the original 1965 specification sheet for Bond's buried beachwear. Complete with fabric colour codes and design details, it provided the blueprint for the recreation of the swim shorts worn by Connery during filming on Paradise Island.
One of only four surviving 16ft Diving Girl mannequins from the 1960s at the entrance to Jantzen's archive in Los Angeles
Credit: Jantzen
Meanwhile, the Jantzen team mined their digital archive of historic advertisements and struck gold. They unearthed a 1966 advertisement produced by their British subsidiary and distributed exclusively in the UK. This discovery explained a long-standing mystery: during that period, Jantzen had ceased using the iconic “Diving Girl” logo on products sold in the United States and elsewhere. The “Bondi Colt” had been made in England, with the Diving Girl, solely for the home market.
The U.K. advertisement for the 'Bondi Cult' (1966)
Credit: Jantzen
The evidence was rushed back to the Anthony Sinclair workroom in London, where work began on bringing the archival design back to life with the exacting eye usually reserved for a Conduit Cut suit. Aside from the embroidered Diving Girl - which took numerous attempts to perfect - the most distinctive feature of the swim shorts is the belt-loop arrangement: a series of tabs secured by pearlised buttons, through which passes an elasticated belt, complete with a replica of the original metal buckle, newly cast for the project.
Sean Connery wearing Cool-Ray N135 sunglasses, Camp Collar shirt and Jantzen swim shorts in Thunderball (1965)
Credit: Collection Christophel
In the film, Connery’s blue shorts were worn with a belt, but the pink version was simply supported by the elasticated waistband and internal drawstring. Perhaps the metal buckle of Jantzen’s original design created a distracting glint, as the belt appears to have been replaced by a continuous band - easily attached to the shorts via the tab-and-button belt loops.
The Jantzen for Anthony Sinclair 'Bondi Colt' Swim Shorts in Blue
Credit: Anthony Sinclair
Given that this project united Jantzen - inventor of the swimsuit - and Anthony Sinclair - Bond’s original tailor, it seemed only fitting for the latter to add a touch of sartorial refinement to the revived model. The original “faux fly” has been replaced with a fully functioning version, incorporating a Sinclair-branded zip. The same zip design has been used to secure a rear-hip pocket, while on-seam side pockets complete the tailoring-inspired additions. Belt loops, elasticated waistband and internal drawstring have all been retained - assuring safety at sea... braces-buttons were therefore deemed unnecessary.
The Jantzen for Anthony Sinclair 'Bondi Colt' Swim Shorts in Pink
Credit: Anthony Sinclair
In terms of proportion, the original shorts were notably brief. For those seeking a more modest cut, a photograph of Connery taken off-set during the filming of Thunderball provided Sinclair with the cue for a longer model, which has been faithfully incorporated.
Sean Connery and Claudine Auger off-set during the filming of Thunderball (1965)
Credit: Collection Christophel
Whilst the styles, seams and stitches echo the mid-sixties originals, the fabric tells a new story. In place of the original cotton/nylon blend, the modern editions are cut from SEAQUAL® fabric, a pioneering textile made using yarn derived from upcycled marine plastic collected from oceans, rivers and beaches around the world.
The Jantzen for Anthony Sinclair 'Bondi Colt' Long Swim Shorts in White
Credit: Anthony Sinclair
This marriage of mid-century design and contemporary innovation is more than a stylistic flourish. It is a poetic full circle: swim shorts inspired by scenes shot in the Caribbean Sea, worn by a secret agent on a mission to save the world, now made from fabric that helps clean the oceans themselves - allowing the wearer to play a small part in preserving the planet... and, naturally, to look stylish while doing so.
Following 18 months of development, the Jantzen X Anthony Sinclair 'Bondi Colt' swim shorts are finally in the bag.
Credit: Anthony Sinclair
The 'Bondi Colt' will be available as a long or short model in three colours across ten sizes from anthonysinclair.com
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