Since 1962, James Bond has been one of the most iconic figures in popular culture. Known for his suave demeanor, impressive gadgets, and daring stunts, the British secret agent has captured the imagination of audiences around the world.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Bond’s style is his choice of watch. In particular, Bond has been associated with Omega watches, which have become an integral part of his character.
While Bond wore several other brands in earlier films, most prominently Rolex, but also Gruen, Breitling, and Seiko, Omega took over starting with the movie GoldenEye in 1995, and the partnership continies.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of James Bond’s Omega watches, exploring the different models that have appeared on screen and the impact they’ve had on the world of horology.
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The History of James Bond’s Watches, from Rolex to Omega
Bond author Ian Fleming incorporated his own refined style and preference for elegant tailoring and Swiss watches into the character of James Bond. While writing “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” in 1962, Fleming, a WWII naval intelligence officer, wore his own Rolex ref 1016 Explorer.
From then on, the selection of watches worn by Bond has been an intriguing journey, featuring renowned brands such as Rolex, Breitling, and Omega, each showcasing Bond’s impeccable taste.
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In the first Bond film, Dr. No, Sean Connery sported the iconic Rolex Submariner reference 6538, also known as the “Big Crown” Submariner. This timepiece remained a defining element of Bond’s suave style, establishing Rolex’s reputation as a luxury brand associated with sophistication and adventure.
In subsequent films, Bond also donned watches from Gruen, Breitling, Seiko, TAG Heuer, alongside the Rolex Submariner.
When Pierce Brosnan took on the role of Bond in GoldenEye in 1995, the decision was made to switch from Rolex to Omega timepieces. This strategic partnership between Omega and the Bond franchise aimed to bring a more modern and authentic portrayal of Bond, aligning with Omega’s brand image and heritage, notably its connection with the British Royal Navy.
The enduring partnership between Omega and the Bond franchise, spanning over two decades, continues to exemplify the sophistication and prowess of the character.
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All of James Bond’s Omega Watches
Pierce Brosnan opened the world of 007 to Omega watches with his first film in 1995, GoldenEye, and continued to sport the brand in every one of his Bond films thereafter.
Daniel Craig continued this tradition with a little twist. Previous Bond films featured these iconic wrist pieces with the added features that a spy can use on their missions. Starting with Craig, the Omega watches featured their own unique and distinct features and personas. Here’s a timeline of every Omega watch James Bond wore:
GoldenEye (1995)
In GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan stars in the 17th Bond film that revolves around the theft of a secret Soviet Weapon named GoldenEye, which is capable of emitting an electromagnetic pulse to destroy all electronic equipment in a given area. Bond’s former partner and fellow agent 006, Alec Trevelyan (who’s supposed to be dead) wants to use GoldenEye to take out London’s financial district, and it’s up to Bond and Russian computer programmer Natalya Simonova to stop him.
Pierce Brosnan wore the first Bond Omega watch in this film – the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Professional Quartz ref 2541.80.00 – opening up the world of 007 to Omega watches.
While your Seamaster won’t have a laser cutter in place of a helium valve, there are other perks on this particular reference. The quartz model needs no winding to maintain the accuracy under the very sporty looking hood. The battery life averages out to around 42 months of use with a nice end-of-battery-life indicator alongside a date window.
The screw down crown and real helium escape valve create a case that’s water resistant to 300m and the luminescent hands make it easy to read even in the lowest of light conditions.
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Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002)
In Pierce Brosnan’s three other appearances as James Bond, he wears the same reference Omega watch: the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M (ref 2531.80.00).
In Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond investigates a media mogul’s plan to start a war between the UK and China to boost ratings and profits, by stealing a warship and attacking a Chinese vessel.
In the 19th James Bond film, The World is Not Enough, Pierce Brosnan reprises his role as James Bond and investigates an oil tycoon’s plan to use a powerful weapon to cause global chaos. Opposite Robert Carlyle, he must stop the destruction of Istanbul.
Finally, in Die Another Day, Bond investigates the connection between a Northern Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul who, together, are funding the development of an international space weapon.
The same watch graces Bond’s wrist in all three films and looks very similar to the Quartz watch he wears in GoldenEye with the same dial and design details. This time, Bond has an Omega Calibre 1120 automatic movement, and considering all the action, there’s no way he’ll wind down the 44-hour power reserve. Much like the previous model, there is the screw-in crown, the helium escape valve, and a date window at 3 o’clock. Unlike the laser equipped in his old watch, this particular model, in the movie, acts as a remote bomb detonator.
Finally, in The World is Not Enough, Bond gets some gadget upgrades to include a flashlight and a grappling hook with a trigger in the helium escape valve.
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Casino Royale (2006)
Not only did we get a new James Bond, but two new styles of Omega watches. Daniel Craig introduced the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Co-Axial chronometer (ref 2220.80.00) and the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Chronometer 45.5mm (ref. 2900.50.91) with a rubber strap in his debut Bond film Casino Royale.
Casino Royale wished to bring Bond into the modern world, and they meant it. The addition of a luxury watch with a ‘rubber’ strap really added to the feel for the movie. Achieving 00 status, Bond is tasked with stopping a dangerous banker, Le Chiffe, from financing international terrorism and recovering his client’s funds in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro.
The most influential deviation from the previous Omega watches featured in Bond films is no special gadgets were added to these wonderful timepieces. The watches on Daniel Craig’s wrist sport only their true elegance and usefulness, which they thought was enough.
The Seamaster Professional 300M is a dive watch with an automatic movement. It has a stainless-steel case, sapphire crystal, and water resistance up to 300 meters (1,000 feet). The dial features luminous hands and hour markers as well as date display at 3 o’clock.
The Planet Ocean 600M was introduced in 2005 as part of the Seamaster collection and remains one of the brand’s most popular models today thanks to its classic design which has remained largely unchanged since then. Daniel Craig wears this model in the first part of the movie, and its rugged looks and robust build truly fit the high-octane scenes. Learn more about these watches at Omega Watches in Casino Royale
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Quantum of Solace (2008)
Danial Craig returns for Quantum of Solace with another Omega watch on his wrist. In this film, Bond picks up right where Casino Royale left off and is on a personal mission to reveal the global crime organization, Quantum, who are responsible for the death of Vesper Lynd, his lover from the previous film.
For the 2008 film, Bond wears an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Chronometer ref. 2201.50.00. While it’s not the favorite of the Craig Bond films, he is wearing a classic watch. Slightly smaller than the similar watch he donned to explore Le Chiffre’s yacht in the previous film, at 42mm, this watch still holds up to the beatings Bond takes with the stainless-steel case and bracelet, anti-reflective crystal, and black dial with a matching ceramic bezel.
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Skyfall (2012)
Once more, James Bond wears the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. In the 23rd Bond film, 007 must deal with a leak at MI6 that puts all agents at risk. Bond must return from hiding to track down the mastermind before he takes his revenge on M, played by Judy Dench.
Bond opens this film wearing the Omega Planet Ocean 600m Co-Axial Chronometer 42mm (ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001). One of the scenes that really sticks with watch aficionados is the perfect take of Bond wearing this sporty timepiece while he hijacks a military tank. It looks the same as his other Omega pieces, with the stainless-steel case and bracelet and black dial, but has gotten some upgrades compared to the older Planet Ocean models.
This particular version is upgraded with the in-house Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500 that integrates a set of features that allows for automatic winding in both directions.
He swaps this model out mid-movie for a meeting with M and you’ll see a model that features in his next film, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m ref. 231.10.39.21.03.001. It also features the calibre 8500 but moves away from the rugged looks of the Planet Ocean, to a sleek stainless steel construction; and from a black dial to a finer blue with a lacquered deck type embossing. This watch is a more compact 38.5mm watch and marks the first time that Bond wears an Aqua Terra.
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Spectre (2015)
The blue Omega Aqua Terra once again makes its appearance in the beginning of the movie as he takes aim from a rooftop. This time though, it’s the Omega Aqua Terra 41.5mm (ref. 231.10.42.21.03.003) model which comes with a Master Chronometer certification.
In Daniel Craig’s 4th movie as James Bond, Bond must investigate a cryptic message from his past that leads him on a new mission to uncover an evil organization known as SPECTRE. Along the way not only does he battle with secrets from his past, but his most dangerous adversary to date.
A great scene around this blue-dialed watch nods back to the days when Bond received watches from Q that had been upgraded with gadgets to help him on his mission. When Q hands him this particular model, Bond asks if it does anything, to which Q responds that it tells time which should help with Bond’s constant tardiness.
A nod back to the old-school Bond days comes with the appearance of the Omega Seamaster 300 (ref 233.32.41.21.01.001) that appears in a later scene. This is an updated edition of the original Seamaster 300 model that appeared in 1957. The time-only is updated with a ceramic bezel but achieves a vintage-cool feel with fauxtina luminescence, a lollipop seconds hand, and a 5-stripe NATO strap.
The female lead, Dr. Madeleine Swann, pulls off Bond’s watch while he’s trapped and activates its grenade function, subsequently saving the day. This is the first time the watch has special functions since Daniel Craig took the role.
If you really pay attention, there’s another flash of an Omega watch in the film alongside Bond’s driving gloves. Some believe it to be an Omega Chronograph Caliber 321 (ref. ST 101.010) – the only vintage model among James Bond’s Omega watches.
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No Time to Die (2021)
Finally, in Daniel Craig’s final film, No Time to Die, Bond sports a Seamaster Diver 300M “007” Edition. In this film, Bond thought he retired from active duty and is enjoying retirement in Jamaica. An old friend invades his peace and asks for help in rescuing a kidnapped scientist that leads him on a trail of a mysterious new villain and new technology.
Craig swaps out his old favorite Aqua Terra for something definitely new – the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer “Edition 007” (ref. 210.90.42.20.01.001). What’s even more special about this watch is that Daniel Craig helped to design it.
The mesh bracelet is different from anything we’ve seen among James Bond’s Omega watches, and pairs it with a 42mm titanium case. The unidirectional bezel and dial are made from a striking brown aluminum, while the luminous markers are done in a vintage-colored fashion. It also features the famous Broad Arrow on the dial and caseback. You can also acquire this watch with a striped NATO strap in dark brown, grey, and beige.
All in all, it’s a nod to the military background of James Bond, and a fitting final watch for Daniel Craig.
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James Bond’s Omega Watches – Final Thoughts
Every watch worn by James Bond has not only become iconic, but also a true symbol of the sophistication, style, and cutting-edge technology that is 007.
These timepieces not only served as a functional tool for the world’s most famous spy, but also as a reflection of his enduring appeal and evolving persona.
Get your piece of the action and check out our vast selection of Omega watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.
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