Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legendary franchise, the Swiss watchmaker has released the new Omega Seamaster 300M James Bond 007 50th Anniversary Collector’s Piece. Sporting numerous references to the immortal franchise, the device may be of great interest to the huge crowd of fans. As one might have expected, the new timepiece was presented by Mr. Daniel Craig himself.
During the fifty years of his brilliant career, Mr. James Bond has changed many different watches (including quartz and even digital.) For die-hard fans, his persona is mostly associated with Rolex divers. However, for the last 17 years, starting with the Pierce Brosnan era, the MI6 agent wears different versions of the Omega Seamaster.
Omega will offer this new Collector’s Piece in two versions differing only sizes of the case.
One is a sporty ref. 212.30.41.20.01.005 about 41 mm in diameter. The other one (ref. 212.30.36.20.51.001) is a smaller model in a 36.25 mm body. Probably targeting ladies, it costs about $200 more than the “base” model.
Both versions come in nicely finished stainless steel cases sporting easy-to-grasp unidirectional rotating bezels.
As many recent divers from Omega, the bezel features a black ceramic insert with its standard diving scale painted in matt chromium nitride. The red number “50” on the bezel doesn’t look particularly subtle, but neither is Agent 007.
The black lacquered dial kind of reminds me of a Louis Vuitton handbag: there are so many 007 logos there, it makes my head spin.
The smaller version has one of the round hour markers at 7 o’clock replaced with a small diamond. Yep, it’s definitely for ladies.
The last piece of decoration that refers to the series is the screw-in stainless-steel case back.
It replaces the usual stamped cover with the iconic gun-barrel motif stamped on its surface. The small 9mm bullet-shaped medallion in the center looks a bit cheesy though.
Despite numerous visual distractions, the design of the dial is traditionally good.
Its hands and hour markers sport patches of Superluminova that looks white during the day and emits blue glow in darkness.
The choice of lume makes it easier to read and plays nicely with the color of the dial.
It will even be legible enough deep underwater if at some point you decide to put to the test its claimed water resistance rating of whole 300 meters.
Of course, designed for such frightening depths, the watch is equipped with a special helium escape valve. Placed on the side of the body at 10 o’clock, the valve prevents the sapphire crystal from popping out during fast decompression.
According to the Swiss watchmaker, they plan to sell both versions as “limited edition” models. The 41 mm version will be limited to 11,007 numbered pieces and the smaller model will be limited to 3007 units.
Originally, the watch sported a suggested retail price of $5200 and was available on Amazon.com and other online retailers at some $500 less, but now seems to have been totally sold out although you can still find used ones in mint condition if you search long enough.
See also: Omega Five Counter Speedmaster Olympic
Photos: Omega Watches
Omega Seamaster 300M James Bond 007 50th Anniversary specification
Price: $5000 (ref. 212.30.41.20.01.005) / $5200 (212.30.36.20.51.001)
Movement: Automatic, Co-Axial Caliber 2507, in-house, chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 44 hours
Case and Crown: Stainless steel
Bezel: Stainless steel with black scratch-resistant ceramic
Shape: Round
Case size: 41.00 mm / 36.25 mm
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
Back: Solid, barrel-stamped
Dial: Black, lacquered
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Open-worked, luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Classic brushed and polished OMEGA-patented screw-and-pin stainless steel bracelet