Introducing – Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch” Limited Edition James Bond 007

The James Bond 007 and Omega Watches connection really doesn’t require another explanation – although if you do need to know more about it, check our in-depth article. For more than 20 years, the Swiss watchmaker has supplied the world’s most famous secret agent with his Seamaster watches, and managed to give this accessory an important status, becoming a movie character in its own right. This year, inspired by Bond’s rank and regalia, Omega has created the Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch”.

Background – The Omega / 007 connection

Back in 1995, with GoldenEye, James Bond made a strong comeback on cinema screens worldwide, giving the series a fresh start. Starring in the movie as Bond was Pierce Brosnan, and on his wrist was a watch that would become a modern icon, the Seamaster Diver 300m. The combination of its blue dial and bezel, its toolish style and distinctive bracelet created a watch which was instantly recognizable by the masses. More than just an accessory, this timepiece had its own personality and as such, played an important role in the movie. In every 007 film since then, a Seamaster watch would be featured, including the Spectre Limited Edition from the 2015 movie.

While no new movie has been announced as yet – even if it’s almost confirmed that Craig will return as Bond in Episode 25 – Omega is today unveiling a Limited Edition, based on the iconic model that has been a recurring feature since its first appearance on Bond’s wrist in 1995. Interestingly the inspiration for this new watch is slightly different than before, as it is based upon the ensign colours of the British Royal Navy – in which Bond holds the rank of “Commander”.

The inspiration behind the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch”

Why this inspiration? Lindy Hemming, the costume designer on GoldenEye (1995) and on the 4 following movies, proposed that 007 should wear an OMEGA. Speaking about her choice of the Seamaster, she said “I was convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch as opposed to the one everyone expected me to use.“ Also, it has to be noted that Omega and the British Royal Navy have always been closely linked. Indeed, the Seamaster 300, originally released in 1957, was issued to military divers around the world. In 1967, a famous batch of 2^nd generation Seamaster 300s was also delivered to the MoD for issue to certain units.

Additionally, during the early days of the Second World War, the MoD – the UK’s Ministry of Defence – introduced the specifications for a wristwatch that would help British forces in the sky, and on land and at sea. Subsequently, Omega delivered more than 110,000 pilots’, navigators’ and soldiers’ watches to Great Britain’s MoD. This means that more than 50% of all of Switzerland’s watch deliveries to the United Kingdom during the war came from one company – Omega, and as a result the link between the two was firmly established.

To create this new watch, Omega has decided to pay its tribute to Bond through his rank and regalia, by basing its design on the colors of the British Royal Navy: red, white, blue.

The new Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch”

This new timepiece remains true to the origins of the Omega Watches/James Bond 007 connection. It is based on the famous Professional Seamaster 300m, such as was used in GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) – The World Is Not Enough (1999) – Die Another Day (2002) and Casino Royale (2006), and on this occasion it has once again evolved with yet further modifications.

The case of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch” retains its signature features; it’s still 41mm in diameter, the classical case shape with lyre-lugs – of course crafted in stainless steel, and finished with polished and satined surfaces. However, when compared to the standard version of the Seamaster Diver 300m, as featured in the Seamaster catalogue, we can see that the bezel of the limited edition has been updated. It now has a blue ceramic insert but with a vivid red rubber coating defining the first 15 minutes of the scale – the crucial 15-minutes when diving. The inscriptions are created with Liquidmetal® technology. On the side of the case, the Helium Escape valve is still present, as well as the screw-in crown, to guarantee perfect water resistant up to 300 meters.

The dial of the Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch” is also presented for the first time on this model in polished white ceramic, with the familiar raised indexes being circled in blue. The inscription “Seamaster” is written in red, and the skeleton hands which have been filled with luminous paint, are coated in blue – all together creating a fresh, sporty look. To complement this new look, a NATO strap in blue, red and grey, follows a 5-stripe pattern and it comes with a polished steel buckle.

A number of details also make this Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch” unique, for instance the 007 gun logo counterweight on the red central seconds hand, and the number 7 in the date window which is coloured red, while the other numbers are blue. The caseback is also has its own special features, such as the “three stripes” of the Commander’s naval insignia featured on the rotor, along with the 007 “bullet” design.

Inside the case of the Omega “Commander’s Watch” is the well-known calibre 2507. This movement, or at least the 2500 (as the 2507 is a variation of caliber 2500, with bullet decoration on the rotor) is a modified ETA 2892-A2 with the Co-Axial escapement – which incidentally happened to be the first Omega movement to feature this specific escapement, back in 1999. This movement ticks at an unusual 25,200vph frequency and boasts a 48h power reserve. It is chronometer certified by COSC.

The stainless steel model of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch” is limited to just 7,007 pieces. It comes with a 3-year warranty and is presented in a special box that has been inspired by a military medal case. The box also contains a stainless steel bracelet, a changing tool and a “naval pin” that mirrors the design of the NATO strap.

A gold model – the “Commander’s Watch” also comes in an 18K yellow gold model, and is limited to just 7 pieces.

Technical Specifications – Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch”

• Case: 41mm diameter – stainless steel, polished and satined – steel bezel with ceramic and rubber insert – sapphire crystal – 300m water resistant
• Movement: Omega calibre 2507, chronometer rated by COSC – co-axial escapement – 25,200vph – 48h power reserve – automatic winding – hours, minutes, seconds, date
• Dial: white polished ceramic – blue indexes
• Strap: NATO strap in blue, red and grey with steel buckle – stainless steel bracelet also included in the box