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 diver. 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 the most die-hard fans, his persona is mostly associated with Rolex divers. However, for the last 17 years, starting with the Pierce Brosnan era, the most famous MI6 agent wears different versions of Omega Seamaster.
This new Collector’s Piece will be offered in two versions: one in a sporty 41 mm (ref. 212.30.41.20.01.005) and a smaller model in 36.25 mm (ref. 212.30.36.20.51.001, probably designed for ladies and available with a $200 premium over the “base” model.)
Both versions come in nicely finished stainless steel cases equipped with easy-to-grasp unidirectional rotating bezel.
As many recent divers from Omega, the bezel features a black ceramic insert with its standard diving scale painted in matt chromium nitride. You may have already noticed that that the number “50” was rather suggestively printed in red.
As usual, the black lacquered dial is studded with numerous 007 monograms, while the smaller version even has one of the round hour markers at 7 o’clock replaced with a small diamond.
The last piece of decoration that refers to the series is the screw-in case back. Too, crafted from stainless steel, it features the famous gun-barrel motif stamped on its surface, as well as a small cutout dead in its center that provides a good view at the centerpiece of the oscillating weight. Guess what, it is decorated as a 9 mm “bullet”!
Despite numerous visual distractions, the design of the dial is traditionally good. Its hands and hour markers are generously covered with white Superluminova (however, it glows blue in darkness,) which makes it easily readable both during the day and at night. Or deep underwater, since the Seamaster, as usual, has an impressive 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 (ref. 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
Movement decoration: Skeletonized
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
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
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire, antireflective