ReviewAgeing Like Fine Wine: James Bond, His Omega Seamaster—And The 007 Anniversary Edition

From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, there have been seven James Bonds over the last 60-plus years. However, only two of the actors, who have portrayed the spy, have worn Omega watches in the films that they starred in as Bond. It was Pierce Brosnan who was first seen wearing an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M on his wrist as 007 in GoldenEye (1995). The latest Bond to have donned Omega’s iconic dive watch was Daniel Craig in No Time to Die (2021)—his last outing playing Ian Fleming’s character. To mark 60 years of James Bond being seen on the big screen in blockbuster after enthralling blockbuster, Omega—the official Bond watch since 1995—unveiled a 007 anniversary edition of the superspy’s iconic watch. And as it turns out, this 007 anniversary edition of the Seamaster Diver 300M features elements that borrowed from the watches seen in both the Bond films mentioned above. And that’s not all. Other Bond Seamsters also inspire this 007 anniversary edition.

The Dynamic ‘Gun Barrel’ Caseback Of The 007 Anniversary Edition

While the standard dive watch version has more of the details inspired by past editions, there is also a jewelled version, built from Omega’s Canopus (white) gold alloy. One thing that the two 007 aniversary edition pieces do have in common though is the James Bond motif on the transparent caseback. Inspired by the caseback of the watch seen in GoldenEye. It adapts the films’ opening sequence of James Bond framed by the design of a spinning gun barrel. However, what takes the cake is the movement of this pattern, linked to the seconds hand on the dial side, which creates an animation effect. This metallised pattern is made on underneath of the sapphire crystal of the caseback and the effective animation is a patent-pending effect called ‘moiré’.

Inspired by the caseback of the watch seen in GoldenEye. It adapts the films’ opening sequence of James Bond framed by the design of a spinning gun barrel. Linked to the seconds hand the pattern has an animation effect

This number 60 seamlessly makes an appearance at the 12 o’clock mark on the unidirectional-rotating 60-minute dive timer bezel, to mark the anniversary instead of the usual luminous triangle-and-dot marker seen in regular 300Ms

Running Bond’s Moves And The Time On The 007 Anniversary Edition

Calling action for this pattern, along with the running of the timekeeping is the automatic co-axial Master Chronometer calibre 8806, which can run for up to 55 hours, untouched, after it’s fully wound. Also seen on the caseback is a tight-polka dot pattern, based on the graphics in the 1962 Bond opening sequence. On the lower side are Bond’s code 007, and the number ‘60’, for the anniversary year. This number 60 seamlessly makes an appearance at the 12 o’clock mark on the unidirectional-rotating 60-minute dive timer bezel, to mark the anniversary instead of the usual luminous triangle-and-dot marker seen in regular 300Ms. This is set on a blue anodised aluminium ring—a material that complements the dial of the timepiece as well, which features the classic Seamaster wave pattern.

From GoldenEye To No Time To Die In The 007 Anniversary Edition

Almost complementing the wave pattern of the 007 anniversary edition is the slinky mesh bracelet on this Diver 300M in 42mm steel. This is taken directly from the Seasmaster Diver 300M 007 No Time to Die watch, which was actually in titanium. And now, taking this bracelet a step further is the jewelled 007 anniversary edition in gold. Crafted from Omega’s proprietary 18-karat white gold alloy, Canopus, the 42mm watch has elements inspired by the home of Bond creator Ian Fleming, in Jamaica, called GoldenEye. The beautiful sands of Jamaica inspire the choice of the dial material—natural grey silicon, which has a pattern that makes every dial unique. Jamaica also inspires the bezel of this watch, by way of the colours of the treated natural diamonds that pave it. The 10 tropical hues—including green, cognac, and yellow—are a tribute to the Jamaican flag, while two clear diamonds mark the 12 o’clock spot and serve as a nod to the 60th anniversary.

Crafted from Omega’s proprietary 18-karat white gold alloy, Canopus, this 42mm 007 anniversary edition has elements inspired by the home of Bond creator Ian Fleming, in Jamaica, called GoldenEye

The beautiful sands of Jamaica inspire the choice of the dial material—natural grey silicon, which has a pattern that makes every dial unique. Jamaica also inspires the bezel of this watch, by way of the colours of the treated natural diamonds that pave it

The caseback is very similar to that of the steel 007 anniversary edition

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Now wouldn’t it be interesting is to see a jewelled Seamaster like this on the wrist of Bond—whether it’s a man or a woman? It has not been announced who will take over the mantle of 007 from Daniel Craig. However, going by Omega’s commitment to celebrating the fictional British spy, it seems quite clear that we’ll only see an Omega on the wrist of Bond, for several more films to come. After all, Omega has 007’s official watch for almost 30 of Bond’s 60-plus years on-screen.

Omega have also unveiled accessories as part of the 007 anniversary edition, including a sailing bracelet with nylon braiding that draws from the NATO strap of the ‘No Time to Die’ Seamaster; and round cufflinks inspired by the ‘Quantum of Solace’ Omega watch

This bracelet is inspired by the ‘Spectre’ NATO strap, while the square cufflinks sport a pattern inspired by the mesh bracelet of the ‘No Time to Die’ timepiece