Omega isn’t just a watch. It’s the James Bond watch, and there’s no doubt where 007’s loyalty lies. Since GoldenEye in 1995, the Omega watch has been a perfect match for the world’s most beloved spy. Casino Royale praised it in a short dialogue, when Vesper Lynd tried to guess the watch brand James Bond was wearing.
Lynd: “Rolex?”
Bond: “Omega.”
Lynd: “Beautiful.”
And that’s how a decade of the enduring partnership was celebrated.
When Pierce Brosnan took over as James Bond in GoldenEye, he had a companion in his adventures: a quartz version of the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M. Bond’s wristwatches explode, saw and sometimes kill. This one had a built-in laser cutter and a remote detonator. At the time, mechanical watches were not quite back on the scene and the blue quartz model was a perfect choice. “I was convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, a diver and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear the Seamaster with the blue dial,” explained Lindy Hemming, Academy Award winning costume designer who worked on five 007 films. Omega has been Bond’s choice ever since and one the most iconic movie watches of all time.
What first started as a costume choice, became the iconic timepiece that Pierce Brosnan wore for all of his Bond movies. The Seamaster with its trademark blue bezel was dubbed the Bond Seamaster, and it was in for the long haul. For the next three movies, Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002), James Bond was fighting the villains while sporting the Omega Seamaster 300M Professional. In Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond finds a modified Omega Seamaster with an integrated detonator hidden in its back, which ultimately saves his life. The design of the watch stays the same: a blue dial with wave pattern and a blue dive bezel with aluminum insert. The movement is now automatic. In The World Is Not Enough, his watch with automatic movement hides 50 feet of wire with a grappling hook, while in Die Another Day, Bond’s wristwatch gadget comes with a laser cutter and explosive detonator.
Stepping into Bond’s shoes, Daniel Craig wears two models of the Omega Seamaster in Casino Royale (2006): a blue Omega Seamaster 300M Chronometer with a metal bracelet and a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial chronometer on a black rubber strap.
For the first time, Bond wears two watches. It was a premiere for the Omega Planet Ocean, measuring 45.5 mm in diameter, and the first time Bond wore an Omega larger than 42mm on film.
In Quantum of Solace (2008), Bond returns to wearing a single Omega watch. His watch of choice is the 42-mm Planet Ocean 600M with a black dial and black bezel on a stainless steel bracelet.
On the other hand, in Skyfall, he opts for both the 42-mm Planet Ocean 600M, with black dial and dark gray bezel, and a 38.5-mm Seamaster Aqua Terra, his first Omega without a rotating bezel.
The Planet Ocean is now fitted with a ceramic bezel, a redesigned dial and the in-house movement caliber 8500 equipped with Co-Axial escapement. With the Aqua Terra on his wrist, this was the opportunity to see Bond wearing a dressier watch. It was a model with a dark blue dial and nautical-inspired stripes.
In the latest, 24th Bond movie Spectre (2015), also starring Daniel Craig, we can see the Seamaster 300M with Master Chronometer movement on a popular 5-stripe black and gray Omega NATO strap.
At the beginning of the film, Bond is sporting a dressy Aqua Terra, but when the action heats up, he receives the Seamaster from Q…
Bond: “Does it do anything?”
Q: “It tells time.”
…Only to later discover that it does so much more. After the previous three movies, the Omega now comes back with special features: a countdown and a bomb. Once again, his Omega watch saved Bond’s life.
Whether pre-owned or new, Omega watches are exceptional, reliable and well-known timepieces. Omega is Bond’s timepiece of choice, and maybe it will be yours too! If you’re looking to buy a watch or get your Swiss or German watch serviced, come to the experts here at our San Diego Avenue showroom. Check out our wide selection of like-new, pre-owned, and vintage luxury watches. Our kind and knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect match!