By the end of this video, you’ll know if you need James Bond’s Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
Nick KenyonEDITOR’S NOTE: We first published this story in July 2020 in the lead-up to the purported release of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die. And then the film was delayed and delayed and delayed. Until now… But while you may have got impatient for Daniel Craig’s last hurrah, don’t take it out on his Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition that makes a scene-stealing cameo in the film. This video is your comprehensive guide to one of Bond’s best gadgets yet.
With every new Bond film for the last 25 years, we get a brand new Bond watch. This year, we say hello to the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, an interesting watch for a number of reasons beyond the fact that Daniel Craig is sporting it in his last outing as the world’s most famous spy.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is based on the regular production Seamaster Diver 300M, however it has been tweaked to be more suitable for the wrist of an intelligence officer. The 42mm case is a darker metal than the typically used steel and is actually titanium, the same lightweight material that the Milanese bracelet and folding clasp are made from. The bezel is the same matte black as the dial, and is made from similarly lightweight aluminium. As for the rest of the dial, we are treated to a terracotta-tone lume for the hour plots, hands and 60-minute bezel markings.
This tanned lume adds a significant amount to the overall impression of the watch, fitting in very nicely with the matte and brushed finishings, as well as the darker hue of the Grade 2 titanium case and bracelet. It feels stealthier, more gritty and under the radar than the Bond watches that have come before, and works better with the rough-and-ready character that this watch is designed for.
I spent a week with the new Bond watch to get a feel for it, and must admit I grew only more fond of it. I wasn’t convinced initially of the warmly coloured hands and hour markers, but the more I looked at it the more I realised it was less an attempt at a neo-vintage aesthetic and more of an entirely different colourway that isn’t trying to gleam off the wrist like most new watches.
The military markings on the dial and caseback are another nice touch that connect it to Mr Bond’s employer, the British Ministry of Defence, and are subtle enough on the dial to avoid overtly confirming their armed forces origins to any counter-intelligence operatives that might be peeking at the watch. The Milanese strap was well made, and if that isn’t to your taste, never fear: the watch is also available on a fabric NATO strap.
Overall, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is a compelling watch because of how cohesively the different design tweaks have been put together. No polished case surfaces, no shiny ceramic bezel and no stark white dial markings make for a subtle watch on the wrist, something that just feels very James Bond. There is very little pretence being offered. It doesn’t need to glint under your cuff, and there is an attractive self-assuredness to that quality.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition pricing and availability:
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is not limited in its production numbers (a first for a Bond watch), and has an Australian RRP of $14,025. Find more details at Omega right here.
Made in partnership with Omega. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.