“The title is Bond, James Bond.”
These six phrases weren’t solely my introduction to one of many biggest fictional heroes but in addition to the world of watches. Whereas I had already developed a lingering curiosity in watches in my teenagers, it was the Omega Seamaster Skilled on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Goldeneye that made me wish to have the identical watch.
Whereas it wasn’t simple to get an Omega Seamaster Skilled as I used to be nonetheless in class, a paper route and dealing on weekends and through holidays allowed me to prevail – with this 12 months marking the twenty-second that it’s proudly on my wrist, although lately on rotation with a number of different timepieces.
Whereas the literary Bond at all times remained devoted to Rolex, the cinematic Bond has diverse between manufacturers. He often flirted with Seiko and Breitling alongside quite a few “Bond ladies” – and Moneypenny, in fact – however Rolex and Omega have stayed connected to him the longest.
I don’t favor one over the opposite as each manufacturers match very naturally into his world. They’re rugged although luxurious and complicated, but additionally simply one other instrument in Her Majesty’s toolbox to get the job performed by any means mandatory.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
For the twenty fifth installment of the James Bond franchise No Time to Die, 007 turned a sufferer of an enemy too huge to combat: the COVID-19 pandemic pushed again the film’s launch a number of occasions, however now we stay in excessive hopes that it’s going to lastly have its premiere on the Royal Albert Corridor in London on September 28, 2021.

Daniel Craig (James Bond) carrying an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version (picture courtesy Greg Williams Pictures)
This movie marks Daniel Craig’s remaining look because the world’s most well-known undercover agent; he’ll retire from the function after this. This makes No Time to Die an vital movie because it brings collectively and concludes all of the persevering with storylines intertwined from the Craig period, a primary within the franchise.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
Seamaster, Omega Seamaster
A brand new journey calls for a brand new watch, and within the case of 007 that’s nonetheless an Omega Seamaster. Whereas up to now, Bond was merely roughly outfitted with one thing from the common assortment, he’s now handled to a watch designed particularly for him.
Each Craig and folks carefully linked to the franchise labored with Omega on the watch’s design, tapping into Bond’s army aspect; he holds the rank of commander within the British Royal Navy.
The franchise did an impressive job appropriating that phase of his (fictional) life in addition to what Craig brings to the function, serving to him to painting a model of Bond that’s even rawer than Timothy Dalton’s illustration.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
The 007 version of the Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer retains the very best a part of this famed diver’s watch but serves it up in a barely differentiated method. A matte dial in very darkish brown replaces the flamboyant ceramic wave sample of the common version, and a “tropical” patina vibe was given to each the dial and bezel, including loads of beige and even Tremendous-LumiNova on this colour.
This can be a excellent match for Craig as no different Bond ever received as soiled and dusty within the line of obligation as he has. Whereas some may dislike the colour mixture because it may very well be seen as fake patina (or fauxtina), it’s only a colour mixture – and a delightful one in my view.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
Additionally attention-grabbing to notice is that the bezel is as soon as once more aluminum and never ceramic as has develop into Omega’s customary. Whereas this can be a element, I really feel that aluminum is only a tad extra pleasing. Although I’m biased primarily based on the bezel insert in my very own Seamaster.
Whereas I just like the heft of chrome steel, I really feel that the best selection was made to deal with this one in Grade 2 titanium. It fits a extra militarily inclined watch, and Bond can do with out carrying further weight whereas as soon as once more saving the world.
Omega provides this watch on a selection of NATO strap or titanium mesh bracelet. There may be historic precedent for the previous as Bond wore his Rolex Submariner on a NATO strap in Goldfinger. Whereas very helpful for army operations, Bond is often too well-dressed to have this match his clothes very nicely.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
I’ve the identical challenge with the titanium mesh bracelet. Whereas very nicely made, it appears like an afterthought and under no circumstances as slick and handsome because the “Bond bracelet” that turned a part of the Seamaster signature.
Fortuitously, Omega has forgone any apparent 007 branding on this watch because it typically has up to now. Not that this Seamaster could be very stealthy because it contains a so-called “broad arrow” on the dial simply above the 6 o’clock place. This arrowhead image is utilized by the British authorities to mark property. One may argue that this could make it fairly presumably a bit tougher for Bond to stay undercover, however that by no means appeared to have been a part of his modus operandi anyway.
Whereas I usually don’t thoughts a strong ETA motion just like the one I’ve in my very own Omega Seamaster, the caliber on this newest Bond watch is extra of a deal with. Caliber 8806 is licensed as a Grasp Chronometer and options technical delights comparable to a co-axial escapement and silicon steadiness spring.
Additionally it is capable of face up to antimagnetic forces as much as 15,000 Gauss. For Bond a really helpful characteristic as he tends to be round sturdy magnets just like the one he makes use of to toss Jaws right into a shark tank in The Spy Who Liked Me.

Again of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
Accurately, this finely completed motion is hidden behind a closed titanium case again. I’ve by no means been a lot of a fan of sapphire crystal home windows in case backs as I just like the understatement of going with out. On a instrument watch like this it makes even much less sense.
What concerning the Bond girls?
I assume the time period “Bond ladies” just isn’t of this time anymore, though I personally have a unique opinion. The Bond ladies had been all very female, however most of all they had been sturdy characters. Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) of Goldfinger was an aviator, squadron chief, and a foe who become a pal. She helped Bond save the U.S. gold reserve carrying a Rolex GMT-Grasp Reference 6542 on her wrist.
Whereas Could Day (Grace Jones) in A View to a Kill didn’t prominently put on a watch, she did want to be “up to the mark,” even taking the lead away from James Bond in one of many bed room scenes.
Bond fought aspect by aspect with Wai Lin (performed by Richard Mille fan Michelle Yeoh) in Tomorrow By no means Dies and KGB agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach), who has the rank of main within the Russian military, in The Spy Who Liked Me. I may go on and on with this record.
Regardless of a number of sexist remarks that 007 would now not be caught lifeless uttering, I really feel that the James Bond franchise was filled with sturdy, trailblazing girls.
That is additionally why it surprises me that Omega didn’t put extra give attention to the women’ watches the model additionally provided a part of the forged with. A missed alternative, in my view, was not signing Judi Dench as an envoy in her function as M. Even the Omega worn by Halle Berry as Jinx in Die One other Day received as a lot time within the press because it did onscreen: you’ll assume this could be advertising and marketing gold.

The 27 mm quartz-powered Omega De Ville worn in ‘No Time to Die’
In No Time to Die, I’m afraid, it doesn’t get any higher because the restricted display screen time of the women’ watches on Ana de Armas and Léa Seydoux is reserved for a 38 mm Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m and a really modest quartz-powered 27 mm Omega De Ville.
Particularly, trying on the influential feminine roles that the Bond franchise has in the present day, I’m shocked that Omega hasn’t kicked it up a notch to present the main girls watches to match. It might not solely be a chance to spotlight a few of their superb girls’ fashions such because the Ladymatic and Trésor, which get much less consideration than they deserve, but in addition to take inspiration from Pussy Galore and have one of many Bond girls rock a Seamaster from the heritage assortment.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
For No Time to Die, it’s too late. However as James Bond will return, so hopefully will Omega to make good on this.
For extra info, please go to omegawatches.com/watches/seamaster/diver-300-m/007-edition.
Fast Info Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-axial Grasp Chronometer 007-Version
Case: 42 x 13.15 mm, Grade 2 titanium, helium escape valve
Motion: computerized Caliber 8806 with co-axial escapement and free-sprung steadiness with silicon steadiness spring; official METAS certification as a chronometer, 3.5 Hz/25,200 vph frequency, 55 hours of energy reserve
Capabilities: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Worth: €8,100 (NATO strap); €9,100 (titanium mesh bracelet)
* This text was first revealed on September 21, 2021 at James Bond Has ‘No Time To Die’ With His Newest Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer 007 Version
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