To Die For: It’s Bond, James Bond’s New Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

To Die For: It’s Bond, James Bond’s New Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

More than a movie tie-in, this is an essential update on the legendary professional watch.

By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large

Daniel Craig is the definitive Bond of this generation. Some of his predecessors coasted by on charm alone, but Craig brought depth and angst to the role. From his BAFTA-nominated debut in 2006’s Casino Royale, Craig’s 007 is the spy this generation loved.

But there comes a time for every agent to pass the baton. And the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is the timepiece that Craig is wearing in his last mission as Commander James Bond in the film No Time to Die.

 

This week, the trailer for this, the 25th Bond movie, dropped, and it looks like Craig is going out with a big bang. Likewise, this watch is equally explosive. Here’s the complete dossier.
 

YEAR OF THE SEAMASTER

When we first previewed this timepiece, our friends at Omega told us that 2020 is going to be the year of the Seamaster. Remember how Omega celebrated the Anniversary of the moon landing with a few special Speedmasters — the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Moonshine and the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition? Well, 2020 marks the 25th Anniversary of Omega’s association with the James Bond film series. And the company has put just as much care into the concept of the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition as they did with those Speedies.
 

First of all, the company collaborated closely with Craig, executive producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Gregg Wilson, and costume designer Lindy Hemming. The result is a timepiece that captures the actor’s contribution to the series, but also the power and influence of Bond’s cinematic history.
 

Specifically, this Seamaster dives deep into the character’s back story. Commander Bond, says Hemming, “Was a naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world.” So, she chose the Seamaster as his signature timepiece. The Seamaster range itself was born in 1948 and based on the CK2129 military issue model. The presence of the British Ministry of Defence’s "broad arrow" insignia on the dial, and a code for 1962 (the year Sean Connery first appeared in Dr. No) on the case back, emphasizes Bond’s military background.
 

BOOKSMART

The film series’ co-producer Barbara Broccoli once said that Bond’s affinity for high-end goods goes back to author Ian Fleming’s stories. While Bond wore a Rolex in the original books, Fleming was a meticulous name dropper when it came to brands, listing Bentleys and Tattingers champagne as shorthand for the spy’s affinity for luxury goods. In the films, Bond became synonymous with Aston Martins and Bollingers. As Broccoli once said of all the product placement, “If you think you may not be alive tomorrow, you might as well have the best of everything.”
 

Specifically, this Seamaster dives deep into the character’s back story. Commander Bond, says Hemming, “Was a naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world.” So, she chose the Seamaster as his signature timepiece. The Seamaster range itself was born in 1948 and based on the CK2129 military issue model. The presence of the British Ministry of Defence’s "broad arrow" insignia on the dial, and a code for 1962 (the year Sean Connery first appeared in Dr. No) on the case back, emphasizes Bond’s military background.
 

A MAN OF INFLUENCE

Broccoli, Wilson, and Craig joined Raynald Aeschlimann, President & CEO of OMEGA, at the official unveiling in New York on December 4th. At the event, Aeschlimann also revealed one of the reasons the company was so comfortable collaborating with the British actor on the watch.
 

In real life, Craig is a known vintage watch collector. For his final outing as Bond, the star suggested adding several retro touches to his onscreen timepiece. Most striking are the domed crystal and the aged, Super-LumiNova on the hour markers, hands, and bezel indicators.
 

“When working with Omega, we decided that a lightweight watch would be key for a military man like 007,” said Craig in a press release. “I also suggested some vintage touches and color to give the watch a unique edge. The final piece looks incredible.”
 

Craig also paired up with Aston Martin and Neiman Marcus to design a special edition DBS Superleggera, which comes with a platinum Omega Seamaster Diver and tickets to the world premiere of No Time to Die.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

The watch doesn’t go on sale until February, but general audiences can get a preview of the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition in the newly released No Time to Die trailer. Craig can be seen sporting the NATO strapped version while Bond interrogates his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz). The film hits theaters in April.
 

And though the watch itself wields no spy-level gadgetry, onscreen or off, civilians will be thrilled that this timepiece is not a limited edition and very fairly priced at $8,100 for the NATO and $9,200 for the mesh bracelet.
 

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)

And receive each week a custom selection of articles.

Spoiler Alert: The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition Steals The Show

By Josh ShanksContributor
Even though the watch was released two years ago, it’s as relevant as ever.

Watch Spotting At The “No Time To Die” World Premiere In London

By Jessica “J.J.” OwensContributor
As Daniel Craig’s chapter as James Bond comes to a close, the No Time To Die premiere this evening at The Royal Albert Hall in London was filled with...

Top Secret Specs: The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition