Omega Celebrates 60 Years Of James Bond With A New Seamaster Diver 300M and an unexpected Canopus gold watch
5 min read
One of cinema's most enduring icons made his cinematic debut on October 5, 1962. A staggering 60 years have passed since that first James Bond film was released. The 25 action-packed films based on Ian Fleming's novels have set the stage for a lasting cinematic legacy around the world.
People tend to favor certain things. However, the 1995 film GoldenEye holds a special place in OMEGA's hearts because it was the first time James Bond wore an OMEGA on his wrist. An original and fashionable collaboration was born out of this objective. The OMEGA timepieces worn by James Bond on television have also changed over the years.
Now, with the release of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, both may toast 60 years of James Bond films. James Bond celebrates 60 years in the game. And if it does arrive in steel and new colors, the wave dial's return and the cool animated caseback will be the talk of the town.
Omega x Bond 007 History
After Pierce Brosnan's tenure as James Bond, Daniel Craig starred in five successful films as 007. Over the course of his tenure as an OMEGA ambassador, the actor has become a dedicated wearer of the brand's timepieces. Naomie Harris, who plays Moneypenny in the James Bond films (Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die), also became an OMEGA brand ambassador.
Between GoldenEye (1995) and Casino Royale (2006), Lindy Hemming, an Oscar-winning costume designer, worked on five Bond films and suggested that 007 wear an OMEGA. She explained her decision to buy Bond a Seamaster by saying, "I was convinced that Commander Bond, a navy man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch."
Hemming's association of OMEGA with the Royal Navy of Britain was spot on. More than 110,000 timepieces were supplied to pilots, navigators, and troops by the firm during World War II, establishing a genuine relationship with the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense (MoD).
It is highly possible that Commander Bond would have been granted an OMEGA watch, as the Seamaster 300 (first produced in 1957) was issued to military divers around the world, and a renowned batch of 2nd generation Seamaster 300s was also delivered to the MoD in 1967 for the issue to certain troops.
A Toast To The Spy
The names Connery, Brosnan, and Craig immediately come to mind when we think of James Bond on the big screen. However, it's important to recall that the iconic persona was born on paper, in the 1953 novels of British author Ian Fleming. Casino Royale, which has been adapted twice, most recently in 2006 as part of the official franchise, was the first of Fleming's Bond novels to be converted into a cinema, while 1962's Dr. No was the first Bond film.
The James Bond 007 series is one of the most emblematic, exciting, long-lasting and profitable of the entire cinema industry. Twenty-five films, hundreds of locales throughout the world, thousands of bullets pumped into the hearts of bad guys and still counting. Moreover, the role of the legendary British spy has been played by some of the industry's finest actors.
Getting Into The Details
Although it is not a limited edition, the new Seamaster 60 Years Of Bond first resembles the artwork for the 007 Edition of No Time To Die. True, in some respects, but this latest watch represents a significant step forward in design. The blue hue and the stainless steel casing are merely incidental. There are numerous distinguishing features. Many of the unique design elements are homages to the watches featured in the 1995 film GoldenEye.
This Omega watch has a stainless steel case and measures 42 millimeters in diameter, both of which are nods to the original Bond Watch. Like it or not, the watch still has the signature helium valve at 10 o'clock and twisted lugs, scalloped lugs, and unidirectional bezel of traditional SMP watches. The return to steel heralds the return of traditional finishing techniques including brushing and polishing. There are no unforeseen features in the watch's construction: a screw-down crown fitted into guards, and a screwed back to provide the watch's 300m water resistance. Not like the traditional Seamaster Diver 300M, which features a domed sapphire crystal, the 007 Edition retains the cool and charming box-shaped sapphire crystal.
The insert into the bezel also serves as a visual link to the past. Like the original 007 models, the Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years Of James Bond features a polished ceramic insert, but the bezel is made of aluminium with a white scale (all marks filled with Super-LumiNova). Not only that, but the color blue is correct. It's worth noting that the blue is darker, subtler, and less saturated than what you'd see on a modern SM 300M ceramic model, as a nod to the original SMP timepieces. To cap it all off, instead of the traditional triangle at zero, there is now a mark at 60, a subtle homage to the anniversary being commemorated by the timepiece.
The dial continues to pay homage to Bond watches of the 1990s and beyond... Yes, the traditional wave pattern has made a comeback, this time subtly laser engraved onto the face of the dial rather than etched into it. Yes, it is also oxalic anodized aluminum as the bezel. It's true; it shares the same deep blue hue. Similarly styled to the 007 version, but with its own distinct flavor. Plus, it's a no-date watch with brightly colored Super-LumiNova, so there's no need to worry about any fake patina. The military insignia is also no longer present. In general, it has the hipster appeal of a new generation. The nouveau lollipop seconds hand is painted white and has a luminous dot at its very tip, but otherwise retains the model's signature open-worked hands.
There's also no big surprises on the inside of the case, as the Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years Of Bond stays true to its automatic 880x foundation, specifically the calibre 8806. This 29mm in-house movement features a co-axial escapement, is extremely anti-magnetic and has passed the rigorous standards required to get the prestigious Master Chronometer certification. With a 55-hour battery reserve and Omega's signature low frequency of 3.5Hz, this watch is unlike any other. The indicators are the standard H-M-S in the middle.
When you glance at the caseback, however, the Seamaster 60 Years Of James Bond definitely makes an impression. This time with a James Bond animation, the company has succeeded once again. For the caseback, we used micro-structured metallization to create the iconic Bond gun barrel twist. In addition, a disc is linked to the seconds hand's pinion and spins below it. And the use of darkened and transparent surfaces ingeniously recreates the introduction to the film, complete with the silhouette of James Bond moving and appearing. It's a gimmick, to be sure, but it's a fun one that fits the watch well and can be easily concealed if need be.
Alongside this launch, Omega also introduced a Canopus (white) gold Seamaster with a natural grey silicon dial. Each watch will have a completely different dial design. In addition, the bezel was inspired by the colors of the Jamaican flag and features 10 different tones of green and yellow treated real diamonds. The Jamaican home where Ian Fleming wrote GoldenEye is honored here. There are two colorless diamonds at 12 o'clock, in addition to the hue. The premium caliber 8807 movements within is connected to the same caseback effect as the steel version.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years Of James Bond is worn on a stainless steel Milanese bracelet with a folding clasp, precisely as the 007 Edition. Omega has announced availability starting Q1 of 2023.
