First Look

60 Years of Bond Watches

By Sarah Jayne Potter | 4 minute read

OMEGA Bond Day 60th Anniversary- lead Article 2.png

2022 sees a huge celebratory milestone for watch brand OMEGA. It has been 60 years of partnership with the James Bond films, and throughout those six decades, we've seen multiple variations of the super spies timepieces. From watches with cool gadgets to sleek and stylish models, there has been too many pieces for us to choose a favourite. So, we take another look at the most recent variation of the Bond Watch below, as well as delve into previous editions.

OMEGA Seamaster: Seal of approval

Purpose-built for the most action-packed situations, the new Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm 007 Edition has been created in collaboration with Daniel Craig to meet the suave needs of a spy.

The 42mm watch has the outward appeal of a vintage timepiece, but is actually entirely modern and functional, making it an essential piece of kit for MI6’s most dapper agent as he defends Queen and country. It’s cast in Grade 2 Titanium, which is super-lightweight and hardwearing, and features an aluminium dial and bezel with a very on-trend ‘tropical’ patina effect that replicates the aged brown hue of vintage watches. Under Craig’s influence, the watch comes on a titanium mesh bracelet.

Delivering outstanding performance and effortless style, the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300m 007 Edition Titanium Automatic Men's Watch is presented on a striped NATO strap in dark brown, grey and beige. With 007 engraved on the loop, this piece is water-resistant to a spy-approved 300 metres.

Omega

Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond 007 2020 Edition

Omega

Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond 007 2020 Edition

The new Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm 007 Edition is powered by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806, which has offered the highest certified standard of performance, precision, and magnetic resistance in the industry since 2016. Turn the watch over and you’ll see that the case back is adorned with a series of codes that follow the format used for standard military-issue watches: ‘0552’ is the code number specified for Navy personnel; ‘923 7697’ refers to the number for a diver’s watch; the letter ‘A’ signifies a watch with a screw-in crown; ‘007’ will be familiar as Bond’s signature agent number; and the final number, ‘62’, is for the year of the very first James Bond film, Dr No. Thanks to the brand’s Naiad Lock case back, all of the engravings stay in correct alignment. And, unlike previous Bond watches, this new piece is not a limited edition.

When working with OMEGA, we decided that a lightweight watch would be key for a military man like 007, I also suggested some vintage touches and colours to give the watch a unique edge. The final piece looks incredible.Daniel Craig

For both Bond and OMEGA, the number 60 is hugely significant this year as it marks the 60th anniversary of the first James Bond film. It was Pierce Brosnan that first wore a Seamaster Quartz Professional Diver 300M to his wrist in 1995’s GoldenEye.

For that film, the costume designer Lindy Hemming picked the watch herself, as it reminded her of the both sporty and functional Seamaster model worn by her RAF father. ‘I was convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, a diver and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch,’ she said. It was a spot-on choice for the naval commander, and 007 has worn an OMEGA Seamaster in all his films since.

Omega

James Bond 007 Limited Edition Set Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm

Omega

Seamaster Diver 300m Master Co-Axial Chronograph James Bond 007 Numbered Edition

Then and Now

The original OMEGA Seamaster was first introduced in 1948. It featured innovative O-ring gasket technology that took inspiration from the waterproof watches the brand supplied to the British military during the Second World War. In 1957, OMEGA launched a now-iconic trio: the Speedmaster, the Railmaster and the Seamaster 300. The latter, with its steel case and ‘tropical’ dial, was prized for its water resistance – a feature that the new piece certainly channels.

In 1993, OMEGA launched what would become Bond’s watch of choice: the Seamaster Professional Diver 300M. The recently revamped in celebration of the 25th anniversary, the line includes a series of 42mm models, featuring polished ceramic dials laser-engraved with the original wave pattern, and ceramic bezels with a diving scale cast in Ceragold™ or white enamel (giving longer-lasting whiteness and durability). Other design updates include raised indexes filled with Super-LumiNova® and subtly reshaped skeleton hands alongside a patented helium escape valve with a new conical shape.

Discover more from OMEGA here at Goldsmiths.

Goldsmiths is a trading name of Watches of Switzerland Company Limited. Registered Office: Aurum House, 2 Elland Road, Braunstone, Leicester, LE3 1TT, Registered in England and Wales, Company number 00146087. Registered VAT Number 834 8634 04. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited acts as a broker and not a lender and offers finance from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance and PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH trading as PayPal Credit. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 308710. Credit provided is subject to age and status, minimum spend applies. Terms and Conditions apply. UK residents only. We may receive a commission if your application is successful, and the amount may vary depending on the product chosen and the amount of credit taken out. Not all products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and FOS protection will not be extended to unregulated agreements. Please note the Consumer Credit Act states that should your purchase / loan amount cost more than £30,000 you will not be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

*Next day delivery available on most items. See product pages for more information.

60 Years of Bond Watches

Sign Up For Calibre Newsletter