The year 2022 saw one of cinema’s most iconic characters celebrate the 60th anniversary of his on-screen debut. James Bond was first seen on the silver screen on October 5, 1962. While millions of people are fascinated by Bond, for horology aficionados, his watches hold an extra appeal. It was in 1995 that OMEGA began its horological dressing of the spymaster, when for the first time James Bond wore an OMEGA on his wrist in “GoldenEye”. We take a look at the various haute horlogerie masterpieces that the iconic character wore over the years in his various movies….
Since that first instalment, the James Bond franchise has spanned an incredible 60 years. Based on the novels by Ian Fleming, the 25 action-packed films, produced by EON Productions, have laid the foundation for a global cinematic legacy.
“GoldenEye” was the beginning of an innovative and stylish partnership that continues to this day. Just as James Bond has evolved throughout his time on screen, so too have the OMEGA watches he’s worn on his wrist.
Following Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond, it was Daniel Craig who took the role of 007 for five memorable films. The actor has been an OMEGA ambassador throughout his time in the role and has become an avid fan of the brand’s watches. Alongside him, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny (“Skyfall”, “Spectre”, and “No Time To Die”) also joined the OMEGA family, delivering both elegance and female empowerment on and off screen.
It was Lindy Hemming, the Oscar-winning costume designer who worked on five Bond films between “GoldenEye” (1995) and “Casino Royale” (2006), who proposed that 007 should wear an OMEGA. Talking about her choice of the Seamaster, she said, “I was convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch.”
Hemming was quite right in linking OMEGA with the British Royal Navy. The company has an authentic connection to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), having delivered more than 110,000 watches to pilots, navigators, and soldiers during World War II.
The Seamaster 300, originally released in 1957, was issued to military divers around the world and, in 1967, a famous batch of 2nd generation Seamaster 300s was also delivered to the MoD for issue to certain units and so it is entirely plausible that Commander Bond would have been issued with an OMEGA watch.
007’s watch choices
From built-in lasers, to grappling hooks and bombs, there’s been no shortage of fun when it comes to James Bond’s OMEGA watches. Worn with impeccable style, these are the memorable pieces and moments that the spy and his Seamasters have shared.
“GoldenEye” (1995) – OMEGA Seamaster 300M Quartz
Bond uses a laser installed in his Seamaster to cut an escape hatch in the floor of Alex Trevelyan’s train. Later, in Cuba, Trevelyan confiscates the watch and uses its helium release valve to disarm two limpet mines that 007 has planted.
“Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997) – OMEGA Seamaster 300M Chronometer
Bond wears a version of the Seamaster 300M that has been modified in agent Wai Lin’s bicycle shop, using the watch to extract the helium release valve when onboard Elliot Carver’s stealth ship. The valve forms part of a remote detonator, which 007 combines with a glass jar and a grenade to blast a hole in the ship.
“The World Is Not Enough” (1999) – OMEGA Seamaster 300M Chronometer
When Bond and Elektra King are buried in an avalanche, 007 activates the LEDs on his Seamaster watch face by pressing the screw-down crown, illuminating the inside of his ski jacket. Then, in a nuclear bunker, Bond fires a miniature piton with a high-tensile wire from the watch to elevate himself to a gantry.
“Die Another Day” (2002) – OMEGA Seamaster 300M Chronometer
The Seamaster’s helium release valve comes into play once more when Bond again employs it as a detonator, inserting it into C4 explosive he has placed beneath the diamonds in Van Bierk’s briefcase, which he then explodes in Colonel Moon’s North Korean compound. After his release from captivity, Q furnishes 007 with a new watch fitted with a laser, which he uses to slice a hole in the ice palace when he rescues Jinx.
“Casino Royale” (2006) – OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Chronometer
To tie in with the story of Bond becoming a 00, Bond wears two different watches. First, he sports a black Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M model. Then, once he has earned his double-0 status, he switches to the Seamaster Diver 300M.
“Quantum Of Solace” (2008) – OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean
Here Bond sports a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Chronometer with a black dial.
“Skyfall” (2012) – Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M
Bond again wears two different OMEGA Seamaster watches. First, he sports the 42 mm Planet Ocean 600M with a black dial and bezel when on his mission in Istanbul. Later, he dons the Aqua Terra with a blue dial.
“Spectre” (2015) – OMEGA Seamaster 300 “Spectre” Limited Edition
After wearing the Seamaster Aqua Terra, Bond receives his Seamaster 300 from Q when he’s told that his Aston Martin DB10 has been reassigned. It proves a vital bit of kit when 007 manages to prime the watch’s explosive device when cuffed to a chair and then slips it to Madeleine. ‘Tempus fugit,’ he says (meaning “time flies”), prompting her to throw the watch towards the villain just as it explodes, allowing the heroes to escape.
“No Time To Die” (2021) – OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
Q modifies Bond’s Seamaster Diver 300M on the flight to Safin’s lair, fitting a limited-range electromagnetic pulse device, designed to disable electronics. Bond employs the pulse first to gain entry to Safin’s base and then to dispatch Primo by targeting the henchman’s bionic eye.
Want a piece of the action?
For fans of OMEGA and James Bond who would like to own a piece of this iconic story, the haute horlogerie marque has debuted two new watches, the Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years of James Bond – Stainless Steel; and the Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years of James Bond – Canopus Gold, to mark the 60th anniversary as well as a range of accessories such as Sailing Bracelets and Cufflinks that offer even more secret agent style.
