Daniel Craig as Bond wearing the Omega Seamaster Professional
(Sorry for the extended hiatus, but I’m now back as your watch nerdist to bring you much goodness from the world of wristwatches.)
One of the activities we Watch Nerdists will often partake in is attempting to identify what watch is on the wrist of an actor in a movie or TV show (in fact I’ve dedicated a blog to this very topic). Among those favored by watch spotters are those found throughout the movies featuring James Bond.
The initial films featured watches in their expected capacity, as a watch. You have to get through a few films before you get into the gadget watches with the magnetic Rolex Submariner from 1973’s Live and Let Die. As of this film Bond’s watches become an integral part of his success. Let’s face it, Bond loves his gadgets, and no one knows more about Mr. Bond’s watches than Dell Deaton of jamesbondwatches.com.
Roger Moore’s Bond demonstrates his magnetic Rolex Submariner.
Not only has Mr. Deaton compiled a list of watches from all James Bond movies, he also was able to identify specifically which model Bond wore in Ian Fleming’s Bond novels (it was a Rolex Explorer, BTW).
Even cooler is the exhibit that is currently running at the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania, entitled Bond Watches, James Bond Watches. In the exhibit, which runs from June (now, basically) until the end of April, 2011, Deaton has collected several examples of the watches worn by Bond throughout his movie career and has them on display with other pertinent memorabilia from the films. The whole process is a labor of love for someone who is clearly a huge Bond and wristwatch fan. Scope the video below for a short behind the scenes look at setting up the exhibit, and you can follow Bond Watches on Twitter for news and updates; and if you’re in the vicinity of Columbus, PA, be sure to stop in and check out the exhibit.
Images: EON/United Artists, Sony Pictures
I own an Omega Seamaster professional, the model that Pierce wore in all of his movies, and it is my favorite watch in my watch wardrobe. lol. If you have the means, i highly suggest picking one up.
I think it is a callback to the original Bond who wore Rolex. But now Bond is wearing a watch that is from a company that broke away from Rolex in the 60’s and now is in competition. Bond has changed since then, and so has his watch. Product placement yes, jab at Rolex by Omega, Yes, fun for watch and Bond nerds, thats a big 10-4.
I’ve been a bit shocked at how blatant the product placement has become in the Bond movies. I couldn’t believe it when Vesper asks “Rolex” and Bond replies “Omega”.
*sigh* Daniel Craig is just…so great
Lol So does mine. 🙂
My watch goes to twelve.
While I love the Omega’s featured in the most recent Bond’s, my love for Rolex is always to strong and wins out. Omega and Rolex have a dastardly history between them and I always find it humorous whenever I see the new Bonds wearing Omega. It always seems like a little stab at Rolex. Still, the Rolex Explorer still remains one of my top 5 watches of all time (well maybe the Explorer II but you know what I mean) along with the Blue and Gold Rolex Submariner, the Breitling Hercules, and the more recent Omega Seamaster. Maybe a couple of Gevril watches and some Patek’s thrown in for good measure. 🙂