It’s probably going to be a while before we get another James Bond movie (casting someone to play the famed spy would be a good start), but the release of the new video game 007 First Light gives Bond junkies something to satisfy their jones in the meantime. There’s also good news for fans of Bond-themed watches, thanks to the release of Omega’s new Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light. Developed with IO Interactive and Amazon MGM Studios, the 44mm stainless-steel diver is the first-ever chronograph in the James Bond Seamaster Diver 300M’s history and is inspired by the one worn by Agent 007 in the game. The watch is powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900 and otherwise distinguished by a polished black ceramic bezel, bronze/gold-coloured PVD subdials, and a striped NATO strap. While the new watch does not include the hacking device and laser strap used by Bond in 007 First Light, it does come in a presentation box modelled after the suitcase he carries his Omega watches in.
Since 1995, James Bond has worn an Omega Seamaster in every film (for those keeping count, that’s 31 years, 9 movies, 2 actors, and several video games). That makes the new Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light the latest in a long line of Bond-themed Omegas, but the first to take its design cues from a video game rather than a movie. Here’s a brief rundown of how we got here:
GoldenEye (1995)
To inaugurate its partnership with the 007 universe, Omega equipped Pierce Brosnan’s Bond with the Seamaster 300M Quartz Professional. It contained a laser and a remote detonator, courtesy of Q Branch, and is used as a plot device throughout the film and in the Nintendo 64 game. Bond would upgrade to the automatic, chronometer-rated Seamaster 300M Professional for Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002).
Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig’s arrival as a grittier, more nuanced Bond brought an equally scaled-back watch. Craig wore both the Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean and the Planet Ocean Chronometer on-screen, but for the first time, neither boasted any Q Branch upgrades. While you may agree or disagree with this as a stylistic choice, it was also the first time folks could buy the exact same watch that James Bond wore.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Daniel Craig had a stronger involvement in Bond’s choice of watch from this film onward, and he preferred a smaller case size than his previous 45.5mm Planet Ocean model, opting for the 42mm Planet Ocean 600M in steel with a matte black dial.
Skyfall (2012)
The horological stars of this film were another 42mm Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M as well as the dressier Seamaster Aqua Terra with a 38.5mm case and a navy blue dial. The movie-worn Planet Ocean was later sold at Christie’s auction for over $250,000.
Spectre (2015)
Spectre saw the introduction of what many consider the coolest Bond watch of all time: the Omega Seamaster 300 Master Chronometer Spectre Edition, with its vintage-inspired 12-hour bezel, lollipop seconds hand, broad arrow hands, and NATO strap. Significantly, the new Seamaster 300 was once again a vehicle for spycraft, featuring a built-in EMP emitter that served as a plot point in the film.
No Time to Die (2021)
Daniel Craig returned as 007 for the 25th Bond film, and chose the titanium Seamaster Diver 300M “007” Edition with tropical lume and a titanium mesh bracelet. As the most recent film-worn Omega, this is the only historic Bond watch that’s still offered for sale at retail.
