Omega Seamaster
The Omega Seamaster 300M | |
Type | Automatic/Quartz |
---|---|
Display | Analogue |
Introduced | 1947 |
The Omega Seamaster is an automatic winding chronometer and quartz watch that Omega has produced since 1948. An Omega Seamaster typically has a stainless steel case and bracelet (Bond style with Omega symbol clasp), screw-in crown and caseback, engraved with the Omega hippocampus logo, up to 1200-metre water resistant, phosphorescent hands, unidirectional bezel, blue, silver or black dial with orange accents, sapphire crystal (anti-reflective) and helium release valve.
Models
Omega produces several models of Seamaster watches, with numerous variations of color, bracelet, movement, and casing sizes.
- Seamaster 300M Quartz
- Seamaster 300M Chrono Diver
- Seamaster 300M Chronometer
- Seamaster 300M GMT
- Seamaster 600M "PloProf" intro 1970. Ref.166.0077
- Seamaster 120M AKA "Baby PloProf" Ref.166.0250
- Seamaster 1000m "Grand PloProf" intro 1971. Ref. 166.0093
- Seamaster Ploprof 1200 M
- Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronometer
- Seamaster Aqua Terra Quartz
- Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual Calendar
- Seamaster Aqua Terra XXL Small Seconds
- Seamaster Aqua Terra Jewellery
- Railmaster Chronometer
- Railmaster XXL Chronometer
- Seamaster Racing Chronometer
- Seamaster NZL-32 Chrono
- Seamaster America's Cup Chronograph
- Seamaster APNEA
- Seamaster Omegamatic
- Seamaster 120M
- Seamaster 150th Anniversary Limited Edition
- Seamaster James Bond 50th Anniversary Limited Edition
- Seamaster Planet Ocean
- Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size
- Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono
James Bond
Omega has been associated with James Bond movies since 1995. That year, Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond and began wearing the Omega Seamaster Quartz Professional (model 2541.80.00) in the movie GoldenEye. In all later films, Brosnan wore an Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer (model 2531.80.00). The producers wanted to update the image of the fictional "super-spy" to a more distinctly sophisticated "Euro" look.[1]
Another possible reason for the change from the Rolex Submariner that Bond had previously worn was a change in the business environment surrounding modern high-profile films and product placement. Omega was eager to participate in high-profile co-promotions and product placement opportunities, especially the James Bond franchise, to further its brand image and awareness. It accomplished this by supplying products and finance (something that the conservative Rolex company avoids, presumably because it sees no benefit for itself).[2]
For the 40th anniversary of James Bond (2002), a commemorative edition of the watch was made available, model 2537.80.00 (10,007 units). The watch is identical to the model 2531.80.00 except the blue watch dial had a 007 logo inscribed across it and also machined into the caseback. The band also had 007 inscribed on the clasp.[3]
Daniel Craig, the current James Bond of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall, also wears the Omega Seamaster: the Seamaster Planet Ocean and Seamaster Diver 300 M in Casino Royale, and even goes so far as to mention Omega by name in the film when questioned by Vesper Lynd. In connection with the launch of the film, Omega released an 007-special of the Professional 300M, featuring the 007-gun logo on the second hand and the rifle pattern on the watch face, this being a stylized representation of the gunbarrel sequence of Bond movies.[4]
Omega released a second James Bond limited edition watch in 2006. This was a Seamaster Planet Ocean model with a limited production of 5007 units. The model is similar to what Craig wears earlier on in the film; however, it has a small orange-colored 007 logo on the second hand, an engraved caseback signifying the Bond connection, and an engraved 007 on the clasp.[5] In Quantum of Solace, Craig wears the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean with a black face and steel bracelet (42 mm version). Another limited edition was released featuring the checkered "PPK grip" face with the Quantum of Solace logo over it.
The Seamaster Professional Diver 300 M was worn by James Bond in five Bond movies. These Seamasters are made of stainless steel on a stainless steel bracelet, fitted with a blue dial, unidirectional rotating bezel with blue ring and a sapphire crystal.[6]
- GoldenEye - 1995
- Seamaster Professional 300M Quartz (Reference 2541.80.00)
- Tomorrow Never Dies - 1997
- Seamaster Professional 300M (Reference 2531.80.00)
- The World Is Not Enough - 1999
- Seamaster Professional 300M (Reference 2531.80.00)
- Die Another Day - 2002
- Seamaster Professional 300M (Reference 2531.80.00)
- Casino Royale - 2006
- Seamaster Professional 300M (Reference 2220.80.00)
- Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean (Reference 2900.50.91)
- Quantum of Solace - 2008
- Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean (Reference 2201.50.00)
- Skyfall - 2012
- Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean (Reference 232.30.42.21.01.001)
- Seamaster Aqua Terra (Reference 231.10.39.21.03.001)
See also
References
- ↑ "James Bond's Choice: The Omega Seamaster", commanderbond.net, 2004-03-29 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ "The 007 Connection", chronocentric.com (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ Lara Magzan, "The business of Bond...James Bond", CNN/Money, 2002-11-25 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ Devin Zydel, "Omega Presents James Bond Exhibition in Geneva", Commanderbond.net 2007-01-06 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ Devin Zydel, "Omega Casino Royale Limited Series Planet Ocean Watch Announced", commanderbond.net 2006-11-05 (retrieved on 2007-02-21).
- ↑ http://www.omega.ch/index.php?id=438&col=2