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In the real world, the watch would serve as an exemplary piece with minimal maintenance (42 hours of battery life with EOL [end of life] indicator), and suitable to wear to occasions as James Bond would deem fit. Yet, a spy watch issued from the Q branch would nonetheless come with its own (fictional) modifications. The watch is transformed into a laser-emitting tool, while the helium escape valve became crucial in disarming bomb detonators. It was the beginning for Omega in the world of espionage, where 60 years on, remains inseparable from the 007 identity.
WATCHES & STYLE
From Omega, With Love
Special feature by Omega
20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023
In celebrating 60 years of James Bond in films, Omega commemorates the anniversary with two new special Seamaster watches.
Omega’s presence in the James Bond film franchise has had a starring role for the last 28 years. It was in 1995 when the blue-dialed, steel-on-steel Seamaster 300M first graced the silver screen in GoldenEye, then on Pierce Brosnan’s wrist, who made his first appearance as the fabled MI6 agent. The quartz number, which sported bold luminous indices and main hands against the Seamaster’s signature wave-patterned dial, included a date, unidirectional rotating bezel, and a helium escape valve.
- 60 YEARS OF BOND
- DRESSING LIKE BOND
60 Years of Bond
Last year, Omega celebrated 60 years of James Bond in the movies, comprising 25 films, nine of which Omega has been a prominent partner of. Harking back to its film debut, Omega recreates the Seamaster 300M stainless steel, but this time in a bigger size with a new mesh bracelet and movement. The Seamaster Diver 300M “60 Years of James Bond” is sized at 42mm, bearing the same blue patterned dial and bezel, both illuminating white Super-LumiNova, save for the minute hand and the 60-minute mark on the bezel in green, the latter having replaced the traditional triangle marker for the prominent number.
The quartz movement is updated with the self-winding Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806, which powers the main hours and running seconds indicated by a lollipop hand. The special commemoration takes residence on the exhibition caseback, where Bond’s iconic barrel gun entrance comes alive: A patent-pending “moiré” effect animates Bond’s famous stance. This is achieved using micro-structured metallisation, where the effect is played out as long as the running seconds is, well, running.
Omega’s second Seamaster Diver 300M for the anniversary celebrations pays homage to Ian Fleming’s Jamaican estate, which he christened Goldeneye. Symbolism is materialized in the gray-patterned silicon dial to represent the sands of the home’s private beach, while a bezel constituting green and yellow baguette diamonds is in tribute to the Jamaican flag. This version, made in 18K Canopus Gold™, bears a more literal commemoration to the diamond anniversary with the fixture of white diamonds at the 60th-minute mark, and features the same thematic caseback.
- 60 YEARS OF BOND
- DRESSING LIKE BOND
Dressing Like Bond
We have Lindy Hemming to thank for Bond and his Seamaster. The Oscar-winning costume designer who worked on five Bond films between GoldenEye (1995) and Casino Royale (2006), said, “I was convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch.” Brosnan’s portrayal of Bond had the continuity of a gentleman’s charm and wit as the one of Moore’s and Connery’s before him, be it in stealthy all-black ensembles or fitted tuxedos.
Meanwhile, 21st Century Bond in the form of Daniel Craig bore no difference, fulfilling the timeless uniform and characteristic of 007. Hence, in complementing fashion, Omega includes a special series of accessories that take style cues from the modern Bond. Sailing bracelets, crafted in brushed titanium and stainless steel, feature nylon braiding, with a multi-colored version inspired by the NATO strap on the 007 Edition worn in No Time to Die, and a black-and-gray combination inspired by the NATO strap that was fitted in the “Spectre” limited edition.
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Steel cufflinks in round designs include a version in black plates that are inspired by the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M in Quantum of Solace, while a dot-patterned pair (also available in a square design) matches the caseback of the 60th Anniversary watches.
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