The new James Bond movie, No Time To Die, will hit theaters on the 8th of October. It’s both the 25th Bond movie and Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007. The film marks the end of an era, both in terms of the actor and his custom watches. For No Time To Die, Omega has introduced the brand new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition. As with any new Bond watch, it has people talking.
Ever since Pierce Brosnan’s debut as James Bond in 1995’s GoldenEye, Omega has been the franchise’s official watch partner. Before we get to the latest model, let’s take a quick look at the partnership’s history.
The Iconic Blue Omega Bond Watch
In GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan dons a blue Omega Seamaster Professional 300M. The same timepiece appears in all four of his Bond movies, catapulting it into icon status. Beyond new technology and a few cosmetic tweaks, the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M remained largely the same throughout Brosnan’s 7-year tenure as 007 between 1995 and 2002.
A New Direction in the Daniel Craig Era
Daniel Craig made his first appearance as Bond in Casino Royale (2006). This was also the start of many changes to Bond watches. In the spectacular opening scene, Craig has on an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. However, for the rest of the movie, Craig sports the familiar blue Seamaster Professional 300M.
In the next two movies – Quantum of Solace and Skyfall – Bond relies on the Seamaster Planet Oceanand the Seamaster Aqua Terra, respectively. While in Spectre, 007 returns to the Seamaster 300M, this time with a more classic style than its predecessor.
The New Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
That brings us to the latest Bond watch: the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition as seen in No Time To Die. While it is another Seamaster Diver 300M, it lacks the blue color scheme found on previous models. Omega developed this special-edition timepiece in cooperation with Daniel Craig. Craig is a dedicated watch enthusiast and provided input on what he wanted to wear in his final Bond appearance. The result is the epitome of what a Bond watch should be.
A Retro Design
I had the pleasure of trying on the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition back in December, and I have to say, I was very impressed. When I saw the pictures after the announcement, I thought it looked very nice, but it didn’t really wow me. However, as soon as I saw the watch “in the metal,” I was floored by its clean design and incredible wearability.
The new 007 Edition has clear roots in vintage military watches. Thanks to its mesh bracelet and combination of tan luminous material with a matte brown dial and brown bezel, you’d be forgiven for thinking this timepiece really is military-issue. Pictures truly do not do this watch justice. All I can say is that seeing is believing – this isn’t your grandfather’s wristwatch.
A number of details help this special-edition Seamaster stand out from the rest of the collection. First, the brown dial and bezel have a matte finish instead of the glossy finish found throughout the Seamaster line. This results in a beautiful contrast between the brown elements and “tropical” tan numerals, hands, and indices. Secondly, the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition lacks a date display at 6 o’clock – a common feature on standard-edition Seamasters. And lastly, you won’t find a wave pattern on the Bond watch’s dial.
Another interesting detail on this 007 edition is the Broad Arrow symbol at 6 o’clock, marking this timepiece as property of the British government. Of course, this is a reference Bond’s role as a government agent in the double-0 program. The same symbol is engraved on the case back, along with a military-style serial number. While clearly a Bond watch, these subtle design elements make sure not to shout it in your face, and I like that a lot.
The Technology and Materials
This Seamaster 007 Edition features a 42-mm grade 2 titanium case and titanium bracelet, making the watch incredibly light and robust. The mesh titanium bracelet is a true work of art. It’s sturdy enough to keep the watch securely on your wrist yet flexible enough to make it extremely pleasant to wear. It also doesn’t hurt that it looks simply amazing. However, if you’re not a fan of mesh bracelets, the watch is also available with a very nice NATO strap.
The case is 13.15 mm thick and contains the automatic in-house Omega caliber 8806, a METAS-certified Master Chronometer movement. This same movement also powers the black ceramic and the titanium-tantalum-Sedna gold versions of the Seamaster Diver 300M, which also do without a date display.
Wearing The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
The all-new Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is a very nice addition to the Seamaster Diver 300M line-up. I personally think it’s the perfect Bond watch. Its understated, military-inspired design mean you can wear it with almost anything. When you put the watch on, you’re immediately struck by how comfortable it is.
You can call this timepiece your own for $9,200 on a mesh bracelet and $8,100 on a NATO strap. Unlike many previous Omega Bond models, this Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is not a limited edition, so any Bond fan who wants one can purchase one.
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