The Omega Seamaster is an automatic winding chronometer and quartz watch that Omega has produced since 1948. Omega wristwatches have been associated with the James Bond franchise since 1995's GoldenEye, and their on-screen counterparts have been equipped with various hidden mechanisms such as explosive detonators and laser emitters.
History[]
- "That makes perfect sense, since MI6 looks for maladjusted young men, who give little thought to sacrificing others in order to protect queen and country. You know... former SAS types with easy smiles and expensive watches... Rolex?"
"Omega."
"Beautiful." - ― Vesper Lynd and James Bond
Omega has been associated with James Bond movies since 1995. That year, Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond and wore the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M Quartz (model 2541.80.00) in the movie GoldenEye. In all later films, Brosnan wore an Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M Chronometer (model 2531.80.00). The producers wanted to update the image of the fictional "super-spy" to a more distinctly sophisticated "Euro" look.[1]
Prop replicas of the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, each modified to masquerade as one multi-functioned gadget for Bond in The World Is Not Enough.
The main reason for the switch to the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M for the Bond franchise is because of Lindy Hemming, a British woman in charge of costume/wardrobe for the new movies. At the time she thought the Seamaster looked the part of a rogue special operative who also need the ability to dress up. She recognized the history of Omega Seamasters in the Royal Military (importantly SBS like Bond and SAS) which furthered her decision. Hence the choice of the Seamaster Diver by Prince William.
For the 40th anniversary of James Bond (2002), a commemorative edition of the watch was made available, model 2537.80.00 (10,007 units). The watch is identical to the model 2531.80.00 except the blue watch dial had a 007 logo inscribed across it and also machined into the case-back. The band also had 007 inscribed on the clasp.[2] In the films, the watch is usually equipped with a laser cutter and a detonation device, often activated with the use of the bezel. The variation seen in The World Is Not Enough had two special functions used throughout the film: A high intensity light on the dial, and a grappling device.
A soft rubber replica of the Diver 300M watch case made for Casino Royale doubled for the watch Bond used as a knuckleduster.
Daniel Craig, who played Bond from Casino Royale to No Time to Die, also wears the Omega Seamaster: the Seamaster Planet Ocean and Seamaster Diver 300M in Casino Royale, and even goes so far as to mention Omega by name in the film when questioned by Vesper Lynd. In connection with the launch of the film, Omega released a 007-special of the Professional 300M, featuring the 007-gun logo on the second hand and the rifle pattern on the watch face, this being a stylized representation of the gun barrel sequence of Bond movies.[3] When the film was stripped of gadgets, this variation of the 300M, model 2220.80.00, contained no special functions. Although, Bond gets to use its sapphire glass window as a knuckleduster to punch an assailant in the face. For the stunt, however, a soft rubber replica of the watch case was made, affixed to a steel bracelet.[4] A similar scene occurred in On Her Majesty's Secret Service where Bond used his Rolex as a knuckleduster to knock down his enemies.[5]
Omega released a second James Bond limited edition watch in 2006. This was a Seamaster Planet Ocean model with a limited production of 5007 units. The model is similar to what Craig wears earlier on in the film; however, it has a small orange-colored 007 logo on the second hand, an engraved case-back signifying the Bond connection, and an engraved 007 on the clasp.[6] In Quantum of Solace, Craig wears the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean with a black face and steel bracelet (42 mm version). Another limited edition was released featuring the checkered "PPK grip" face with the Quantum of Solace logo over it.
The Seamaster Professional Diver 300M was worn by James Bond in six movies, the Planet Ocean and Aqua Terra in three, in addition to sporting a limited edition Omega Seamaster 300 (not to be confused with the Professional Diver 300M) Master Co-Axial in Spectre. The Seamaster Professional Diver 300M that appears from GoldenEye to Casino Royale is made of stainless steel on a stainless steel bracelet, fitted with a blue dial, unidirectional rotating bezel with blue ring and a sapphire crystal.[7] After its absence in three films, the Diver 300M returns in No Time to Die in the form of a new model, this time with a black dial, a titanium case, powered by Omega's Co-Axial Master Chronometer 8806 and is the first in the line of Seamasters to have a Milanese mesh strap and not to feature a date window.[8] It was designed in collaboration with Daniel Craig.[9]
Video Games[]
Variations of the Omega Seamaster wristwatches used in the films make appearances in video games in different forms. Starting with GoldenEye 007, a wristwatch bearing close resemblance to the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M appears as Bond's standard issue gadget, with the dial operating a computerized green screen to display the inventory. Additionally, the laser cutter beam makes its first appearance in the video game series derived from the film, as well as having a magnetic function similar to that of the Rolex Submariner in Live and Let Die. The watch is also a remote detonator device as in the film.
In the two video game adaptations of The World Is Not Enough, wristwatches loosely based on the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M worn by Pierce Brosnan in the film make appearances. In the PlayStation version, the wristwatch only acts as a grappling device and appears to have its design intact as the genuine article. In the Nintendo 64 version, the dial is redesigned to look like a chronograph unlike any other Omega model. This variant of the gadget features four functions: A stun emitter, a laser cutter beam, tranquilizer darts, and a grappling device. Each time the gadget function is switched, the color of the glass window changes along with them.
The wristwatch as seen in the pre-release beta footage in Agent Under Fire.
While originally scheduled to appear in Agent Under Fire, the wristwatch which was to function as a multiple gadget device including a laser emitter and a grapple was eventually substituted with a cellphone in the final version. Although, the demo versions of the game still feature the wristwatch operating similarly as its predecessor, and as such appeared to be accurately designed as Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M.
The laser wristwatch from Nightfire appears to have been heavily inspired by the 2598.80.00 variant of the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Diver Chronograph.
The wristwatch gadget returns in Nightfire, which includes two different versions depending on the platform, albeit functioning the same as each other. Loosely based on the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, their dials, both inaccurately depicted as chronographs despite lacking the pushers on each side of the crown to operate them, vary depending on the version of the game. The PC version's wristwatch has an entirely glowing dial aside from the chronograph subdials whereas the console version's glow is only fitted in the hour markers and the hands. No logos can be found on either of the dials. Although, initially, the Windows PC demo features an Omega based on the 2531.80 model (worn by Brosnan in his latter three films) in spite of having a Quartz movement (available with the 2541.80 model seen in GoldenEye), albeit lacking the helium valve. The watch emitted laser cutter beam to melt padlocks. The console version, a chronometer, was to provide the gadget with another function, which was to be a stun device derived from the Nintendo 64 version of The World Is Not Enough, which was later replaced with an Aston Martin key fob in the final release. The watch's final form bears a closer resemblance to an existing Diver 300M based on the 2532.80 model with its stainless steel bezel and blue dial. Its chronograph variant with a larger case can be identified as the 2598.80 model.
The watch as seen on Bond's wrist in the final game, along with the texture providing a closer look at the timepiece.
The early beta screenshots of Everything or Nothing suggested Bond was going to use a wristwatch at one point in the game. However, in the final release versions, its role was toned down to a minor, forming as part of Bond's commando gear. If inquired closely, the wristwatch appeared to be based on a variation of Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, albeit entirely different from the ones used in films. This one bears a striking resemblance to the 2254.80 model (often informally referred to as the "Peter Blake" Omega). The Omega Seamaster logo is blurred out.
Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M as it officially appears in Quantum of Solace.
It wasn't until Quantum of Solace that an Omega Seamaster officially appeared in a Bond video game, which was the 2220.80 model of the Professional Diver 300M sported by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The watch was only an accessory worn by Bond in the game and as such had no gadget functions.
In Blood Stone, Bond is officially outfitted with an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, directly based on the 2200.50 model. Like its predecessor, it only acts as an accessory for Bond throughout the game.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean returns in 007 Legends, retaining its role as a gadget for Bond to use. It is based on the 232.30.42 model that was more famously worn by Craig in Skyfall the same year with additional modifications on the case to resonate with its features. The gadget functions as an EMP emitter releasing a laser beam (unlike its previous variations, it's not a cutter), a "sonar"-like heart beat monitor that tracks enemies nearby, and a safe-cracking device operated via the bezel.
Capabilities[]
To be added
Appearances[]
| Image | Name | Appearance(s) |
|---|---|---|
 |
Seamaster Professional 300M Quartz - A modifed Omega Seamaster wristwatch with a built-in laser cutter and remote detonator. | GoldenEye |
|
Seamaster Professional 300M - A modified Omega Seamaster wristwatch taken by Bond from the Chinese safehouse. The watch had a small, detachable charge that could be detonated by turning the watch's dial. It was later used to remotely destroy a glass jar that had a grenade lodged inside. | Tomorrow Never Dies |
 |
Seamaster Professional 300M - A modified Omega Seamaster wristwatch. Contains: 1) Grappling hook with fifty feet of high-tensile micro-filament, able to support 800 pounds of weight. 2) A high intensity lighted bezel. | The World Is Not Enough |
|
Seamaster Professional 300M - Contains an explosive detonator and laser beam cutter. The new Q states that this watch is Bond's 20th: a reference to the fact that Die Another Day was the 20th James Bond film. | Die Another Day |
| Seamaster Professional 300M - Bond uses its sapphire glass window as a knuckleduster to punch a goon in the face. No special functions. | Casino Royale | |
| Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean - No special functions. | Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall | |
| Seamaster Aqua Terra - No special functions. | Skyfall, Spectre, No Time to Die | |
 |
Seamaster Planet Ocean - Contains a radar-like GPS tracker identifying targets, a safe cracking device and an electromagnetic pulse laser emitter. | 007 Legends |
 |
Seamaster 300 "SPECTRE" Limited Edition - A timed explosive device. | Spectre |
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ "James Bond's Choice: The Omega Seamaster", commanderbond.net, 2004-03-29 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ Lara Magzan, "The business of Bond...James Bond", CNN/Money, 2002-11-25 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ Devin Zydel, "Omega Presents James Bond Exhibition in Geneva Template:Webarchive", Commanderbond.net 2007-01-06 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ Phil Nobile Jr.. The CASINO ROYALE Watch Trick You Never Saw.
- ↑ Dell Deaton. Found: James Bond's Rolex.
- ↑ Devin Zydel, "Omega Casino Royale Limited Series Planet Ocean Watch Announced Template:Webarchive", commanderbond.net 2006-11-05 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ OMEGA® Swiss Luxury Watches Since 1848 | OMEGA®.
- ↑ Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition - 210.90.42.20.01.001 OMEGA®.
- ↑ Daniel Craig Helped Omega Design His Killer New James Bond Watch.