His name is "Bond, James Bond." He answers to MI6's code number 007 and is probably the most famous secret service agent in film history. On his wrist, Commander Bond has worn OMEGA Seamaster watches since 1995. A legendary character captivating generations worldwide. In 2021, the agent returns to the silver screen in his latest adventures shown in "No Time to Die," marking the last appearance of the man who played this role in five films, Daniel Craig. And since you're likely to watch the film soon, it's the perfect time to get acquainted with 007's watches. Here is your guide to all the OMEGA watches worn by James Bond, including details about the Seamaster Diver 300M "007 Edition" you'll see in the 25th film of the series, featuring gadgets.
Omega x 007 - Overview
OMEGA watches and the James Bond 007 franchise have been partners since the 1995 film "GoldenEye." In all, ten different watches were used across nine films (during the Brosnan and Craig eras), with some watches appearing three times - in the 1997, 1999, and 2002 films. In three films, Bond wears two different watches, only when portrayed by Daniel Craig (in the 2006, 2012, and 2015 films).
While gadgets were a consistent theme throughout Brosnan's era, when every watch worn by 007 was equipped with exotic functions developed by Q Branch, the production decided to remove this feature with the release of "Casino Royale" in 2006, marking a new turn in the Bond series, making 007 more realistic and dramatic.
Gadgets were reintroduced in the 2015 film "Spectre" and appear again in the 2021 "No Time To Die," the last film with Daniel Craig as James Bond.
How Omega Was Chosen by EON Productions?
It would be incorrect to say that the first appearance of OMEGA watches in a James Bond 007 film was simply the result of product placement. When the series was updated in the mid-1990s, with a new actor - Pierce Brosnan - not only did the characters change, but the entire costume design was updated.
The OMEGA x Bond connection is credited to Lindy Hemming, the Oscar-winning costume designer. She was responsible for choosing the watch for 007 in "GoldenEye." She stated, "I was convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, diver, and discreet gentleman of the world, would wear a blue-dial Seamaster." Thus, 007 first appeared on screen in 1995 in "GoldenEye" wearing the famous OMEGA Seamaster 300M Professional. It's also important to note that commercial considerations were not part of the initial choice. "In 1995, there was no incentive for product placement," she said. The choice of OMEGA was driven by reasons like Bond's military past and Hemming's desire to reinterpret the image of 007, making him "more modern and European."
An interesting fact, also part of this initial decision, concerns Lindy herself. She recalled her father's friends, former naval officers, and most of them wore OMEGA watches as part of their military gear... Thus, Commander Bond would follow the OMEGA tradition of supplying watches to British field agents.
As Suttirat Anne Larlarb, costume designer for "No Time To Die," explained, the Seamaster watch has always been a kind of character. OMEGA approached EON Productions with the idea of creating a blue-dial diver's watch, so the initial brand choice was simple: it had to be the Seamaster Diver 300M Professional. With this, it's time to review the entire list of OMEGA watches James Bond wore in the 007 films.
1995, "GoldenEye" - Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Quartz
The most famous OMEGA Seamaster watch - the Diver 300M Professional with a blue dial - was worn in the 1995 film "GoldenEye," where Irish actor Pierce Brosnan first played 007. The watch is so significant in the film that its actual presence gave this particular model (and subsequent evolutions) the nickname "Bond watch."
In the film, Bond wears the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Professional reference 2541.80. This was the first model from a new collection of robust yet relatively compact and thin diving watches, released in 1993. At the time, the watch was still equipped with a quartz movement, and it's this watch that appeared in "GoldenEye." The watch's blue dial features an iconic wave pattern, and the bezel has a matching aluminum insert. Part of the watch's signature style is a 5-link steel bracelet with both matte and polished links. The 41mm diameter watch is equipped with a screw-in crown with a guard and a helium valve at the "10 o'clock" position.
But of course, Bond's Seamaster Diver 300M Professional is not just about its classic features. Naturally, it is equipped by Q Branch with some life-saving functions (or gadgets). A laser is hidden in the bezel's pearl marker, which 007 uses to cut through the floor of a Soviet train to escape. Later, he uses a built-in remote detonator to activate a bomb.
This watch started the OMEGA x Bond story and remains the best Bond watch in the minds of many fans.
1997, "Tomorrow Never Dies" - Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Chronometer
In the next film, released in 1997 - "Tomorrow Never Dies" - James Bond wears the same iconic Seamaster Diver 300M Professional watch, but in an automatic chronometer version, reference 2531.80.00. Externally, the watch is almost identical to the previous quartz version, with the only noticeable difference visible at "6 o'clock" - instead of 3 lines of text, the new automatic version has 4 lines of text, including the mention of "Chronometer."
Apart from the movement, the technical specifications are identical, with the same dimensions, water resistance, and features. Inside this model of the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Professional ticks the automatic caliber 1120.
Q Branch equips the watch with a remote detonator, which Pierce Brosnan uses to blow up the villain Elliot Carver's stealth boat, and the activation is displayed by illuminating the hour markers.
1999, "The World Is Not Enough" - Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Chronometer
The 1999 James Bond 007 film starring Pierce Brosnan, titled "The World Is Not Enough," features Bond traveling the world to prevent a nuclear incident and once again wearing the same OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Chronometer reference 2531.80.00 as in the previous film.
After passing through the hands of Q and his team of engineers, Bond's Seamaster is now equipped with an ultra-bright light source and, most importantly, a miniature grappling hook hidden under the bezel, which helps 007 escape from a missile base.
The OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M watch is prominently visible throughout the film and also plays an important role in Bond's adventures.
2002, "Die Another Day" - Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Chronometer
Again portrayed by Pierce Brosnan, but for the last time, James Bond 007 dons his favorite OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Chronometer reference 2531.80.00, still featuring the signature blue wave dial and blue aluminum bezel.
In this thrilling film, Q Branch installs a laser embedded in the crown, which is used to cut through thick ice. Another trick is hidden in the helium release valve, which can be pulled out of the crown and used as a remote detonator activated by turning the crown.
"Die Another Day" marks the end of many things for the series. It is the last time we see this specific reference on screen, it is also Brosnan's last appearance, and it is also (temporarily) the last time Q Branch oversees the watches and installs functions.
2006, "Casino Royale" - Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m 45.5mm Co-Axial Chronometer & Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Co-Axial Chronometer
The 21st James Bond 007 film "Casino Royale" is often described as a complete reboot of the franchise. EON Productions' idea was that the character should be closer to the description made by Ian Fleming in his books. James Bond becomes sharper, more human, showing more personal feelings and emotions, and the overall style of the film becomes more realistic and slightly more dramatic.
With the release of "Casino Royale" in 2006, many things changed, primarily the actor, as Bond is now portrayed by Daniel Craig. The film and its characters were more in line with the times, and this reflected in everything associated with Bond. His cars, outfits, and, of course, watches.
Faithful to OMEGA and the Seamaster collection, the embodiment of 007 in the form of Daniel Craig at the beginning of the film wears more sporty, rugged watches. Indeed, "Casino Royale" features not one but two different OMEGA watches. In the first part of the film, Bond wears the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m 45.5mm Co-Axial Chronometer reference 2900.50.91 on a black rubber strap.
We also see a new Seamaster Diver 300M Professional watch, this time enhanced not by Q Branch but by OMEGA. Indeed, this film has no special features. Instead, OMEGA introduces the latest version of the so-called "Bond watch." While remaining visually true to the model's roots, it is now equipped with the co-axial automatic Caliber 2500.
And while we all expected something special from these watches... they were only supposed to show the correct time, thus aligning more with the franchise's new direction.
2008, "Quantum of Solace" - Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m 42mm Co-Axial Chronometer
For the first time in the OMEGA x Bond history, the classic Seamaster Diver 300M Professional watch disappeared in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace." Indeed, instead of the 45.5mm PO600m model shown in "Casino Royale," James Bond 007, still portrayed by Craig, wears on his wrist a more robust and sporty Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Co-Axial Chronometer, but this time in a more compact 42mm version (article 2201.50.50) and on a stainless steel bracelet. The watch is equipped with a black dial and black aluminum bezel.
As Petros Protopapas, OMEGA's Heritage Manager (the person responsible for the OMEGA museum and the brand's living memory), explained to us, Daniel Craig is a man who appreciates watches and collects them himself. Starting with the film "Quantum of Solace," Craig took a more active role in choosing the watches Bond should wear. He preferred smaller watches, resulting in the 42mm PO600m model being featured in the 2008 film.
As in "Casino Royale," after the franchise's reboot in a more realistic vein, the watches worn by 007 in "Quantum of Solace" do not have any tricks added by Q Branch.
2012, "Skyfall" - Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Ceramic 42mm & Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 38.5mm
In the 2012 film "Skyfall," we see two different OMEGA Seamaster watches on James Bond, still portrayed by Daniel Craig. This is the second time James Bond wears two different watches in one film, as in "Casino Royale."
The first watch shown in the film Skyfall, which can be seen in the opening scene set in Istanbul, Turkey, is an evolution of the Seamaster Planet 600M Co-Axial Chronometer shown in "Quantum of Solace," but using OMEGA's latest technology. The Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M reference 232.30.42.21.01.001, worn by 007 in Skyfall, still measures 42mm and features a stainless steel bracelet, equipped with a black ceramic bezel and the new in-house caliber 8500 with co-axial technology and chronometer certification.
Later in the film, for example, when Bond travels to Macau, where he is seen in a casino (naturally, in a tuxedo), he wears more elegant watches from the OMEGA Seamaster collection. For the first time in a 007 film, the secret service agent wears the Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial Chronometer. Craig chose the compact 38.5mm version of the watch (reference 231.10.39.21.03.001) with a blue striped dial and stainless steel bracelet, as well as the same Co-Axial Chronometer Caliber 8500 as in the PO600m model.
Again, in the film Skyfall, where Bond shows more of his personal emotions, there are no additional features added by Q Branch to the watches, in line with the film's overall direction.
2015, "Spectre" - Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m 41.5mm & Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial Chronometer "Spectre Edition"
The 2015 film "Spectre" marks, at least in terms of watches, a slight change in direction chosen by EON Productions and OMEGA. As in "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall," James Bond, still played by Daniel Craig, wears two different watches from the OMEGA Seamaster collection. One is a classic, elegant model, and the other is a watch created specifically for the film, but with a surprise...
In the first part of the film, set in Mexico City, James Bond once again wears the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m with a blue dial, but this time with a 41.5mm case and caliber 8500 belonging to the "Master" generation, meaning the ability to withstand the influence of strong magnetic fields. These watches, reference 231.10.42.21.03.003, are worn on a stainless steel bracelet.
The second watch featured in the 2015 "Spectre" film is much more special. First of all, it was specially designed for the film - even though it will later be released in a limited series of 7,007 pieces. The OMEGA Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial Chronometer "Spectre Edition" (reference 233.32.41.21.01.001) is based on the classic SM300 model, released a few years earlier, but modified and has several unique features. The watch is equipped with a black ceramic bezel with a 12-hour scale (instead of the 60-minute scale in the diver's version). The grained black dial with recessed sharp markers (a nod to the 1957 Seamaster 300 model) and a specific Ω logo at the "12 o'clock" position is equipped with vintage luminous material and a quirky lollipop second hand.
Additionally, the watch is equipped with a NATO strap with 5 stripes of black and gray, often referred to as the Bond NATO strap, and inside the case is the proprietary Co-Axial Chronometer Caliber 8400, a movement with a 60-hour power reserve and high-end technologies such as magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss. The diameter of the watch is 41mm, and for the limited series presented to the public, a stainless steel bracelet was also included in the presentation box.
But that's not all... These watches mark the return of Q Branch's special functions. After three films without them, they are back as part of the 007 legend. In the scene where Bond receives his new watch, he asks (with some irony...) "Does it do anything?..." and Q answers, "It tells the time." But the story doesn't end there, as a few seconds later, Q warns James Bond that "the alarm is rather loud... if you know what I mean."
And indeed, Bond's OMEGA Seamaster 300 "Spectre Edition" watch not only tells the correct time. It is equipped with a countdown timer function and a bomb. After activating the bomb, the hour markers turn red and indicate the time remaining until the explosion, and the hands return to the "12 o'clock" position.
2021, "No Time To Die" - Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer "Edition 007" Titanium
In the newly released film "No Time To Die," James Bond returns to classic OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M watches, but in a completely different variant - the watches are again specially designed for the film (and also released as a special edition for the general public). These watches, Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer "Edition 007," have the article number 210.90.42.20.01.001 and are equipped with a long list of special features that make them unique.
These watches are a clear tribute to James Bond's military past, and many features of this "007 edition" come from Daniel Craig himself. There are references to historical military watches supplied to the UK MOD - OMEGA indeed supplied a large number of watches to allied armed forces, primarily for the British troops. That is why the Seamaster Diver 300M "Edition 007" is adorned with the famous broad arrow on the dial and case back, as well as a series of engraved numbers - a reference to the historical military serial numbers of these watches. For example, the code 0552 refers to the Navy.
This special edition Seamaster Diver 300M features a matte titanium 42mm case, bezel insert, and tropical brown aluminum dial, markers and hands with vintage-colored luminous material, domed sapphire crystal, and no date window. The watch is worn on a titanium "mesh" bracelet and is equipped with the Master Chronometer caliber 8806, equipped with all the innovative features that OMEGA has been developing recently.
And another big question... Yes, the watch James Bond wore in "No Time To Die" is indeed equipped with typical Q Branch functions. Q (Quartermaster), portrayed by Ben Whishaw, indeed equipped the watch with a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) device that is activated by screwing and pressing the helium release valve. The EMP is used in the film to disable electronic devices, such as a high-tech electronic door lock.
And in the film, James Bond asks Q, "How strong is it?", and he answers, "Strong enough," but adds, "We didn't have time to test it properly. Just be careful." This electromagnetic device is also quite interesting for OMEGA to demonstrate its technical superiority, as the watch is a Master Chronometer chronometer capable of withstanding intense magnetic fields.
The film "No Time To Die" will be Daniel Craig's last appearance as James Bond. Who will be the next 007? What watches will be on his (or maybe her) wrist? Of course, nothing can be said for sure yet, but the 26th film in the franchise will undoubtedly be another radical evolution of both the character and everything that makes him James Bond.
More detailed information can be found on the omegawatches.com website.
"007" and other related "James Bond trademarks" are trademarks of Danjaq.