Watches at J2 Trading

As James Bond in Casino Royale, Daniel Craig wore this bold, black Seamaster Planet Ocean during the beginning of the movie.

Later in the second of the film half he switches back to the official Bond watch, the Seamaster Professional Diver 300M Chronometer.

Movement

• Caliber: Omega 2500
• Self-winding chronometer
• Co-Axial Escapement movement with rhodium-plated finish

Case & Crystal

• Stainless steel case with rubber strap
• Domed anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Helium relief valve
• Unidirectional rotating bezel

Water Resistance

• Down to 600 meters or 2000 feet

Features

• Chronometer certified by the COSC
• High precision Co-Axial Escapement utilizing a low-friction energy transmission system
• Power reserve: 48 hours
• Date function
• Black dial
• Sized for men: 45.5 mm diameter

Other Planet Ocean Styles

Aside from James Bond, George Clooney is another of many ambassadors for Seamaster Planet Ocean Watches.

Planet Ocean models are available with black or orange bezels, stainless or red gold cases and bracelets, and black rubber or leather straps of tan, brown or black. A couple variations are shown below.

Related articles: James Bonds Seamaster - view the limited edition.

Related products: Omega Planet Ocean watches - select from several styles.

This is the Seamaster Professional Diver 300 M, the watch worn by James Bond in the last five Bond movies.

Shown with a blue dial and bezel, stainless steel case and bracelet, it’s also available with black dial, silver bezel, and rubber strap.

MOVEMENT
Caliber: Omega 2500
Self-winding chronometer, Co-Axial Escapement movement with rhodium-plated finish

CASE & CRYSTAL
Stainless steel case and bracelet
Domed anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Helium relief valve
Unidirectional rotating bezel
   
WATER RESISTANCE
Down to 300 meters or 1000 feet
 
FEATURES
Chronometer certified by the COSC
High precision Co-Axial Escapement
utilizing a low-friction energy transmission system
Power reserve: 48 hours
Date function
Blue dial
Sized for men: 41mm

Related articles: James Bonds Seamaster - see the limited edition.

Related products: Omega Seamaster watches - several styles to choose from.

In 1995 Goldeneye was released with Pierce Brosnan taking over as James Bond. There were of course several subtle changes, not least of which was 007’s choice of wrist watch.

Up until this time it had been a Rolex Submariner, but Brosnan débuted wearing an Omega Seamaster, and continued to do so in later films. The reason given was that the producers wanted to upgrade Bonds image to a ‘more distinctly sophisticated “Euro” look’.

They point out that in the early ‘60’s, Rolex was about the only choice for a reliable, rugged, waterproof watch, and it was a practical fit for Bond. But since then there are other watches doing more for less and Rolex has become something of a luxury status symbol, which is not what Bond is about.

However, according to the following excerpt from Wikipedia, the real motives sound much more monetary in nature:

“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/product placement opportunities, especially the James Bond franchise, to further its brand image/awareness. It accomplished this by supplying products and finance, something that the conservative Rolex company avoids, presumably because it sees no benefit for itself.”  

The first Bond commemorative edition made by Omega was in 2002 for the 40th anniversary of James Bond. It’s a Seamaster 300M with the 007-gun logo on the face and etched on the clasp. The silver logo at the six o’clock position is easy enough to see, but you need to look closer to notice that the entire face is covered as well.

Daniel Craig, in his role as the new James Bond, continues to wear an Omega Seamaster, and in 2006 for Casino Royale, he actually wore two different models.

During the second half, he wore the Seamaster Professional 300M which is now the official Bond watch. But at the beginning he showed off a black, super sharp-looking Seamaster Planet Ocean.

In connection with the launch of the film, Omega released a special edition Seamaster that features the 007-gun logo on the second hand and the rifle pattern on the watch face. This latter is a stylized representation of the gun-barrel sequence shown at the start of every Bond movie.

They later released a limited edition (only around 5000 units) “James Bond Seamaster”, which is an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean model similar to what Daniel Craig wears at the beginning of Casino Royale . It has a small orange colored 007 logo on the second hand, an engraved case-back, and 007 engraved 007 on the clasp.

It’s interesting that in all the years Bond wore a Rolex, the company doesn’t seem to have been motivated to create any special edition Submariner watches to commemorate the fabled British spy. Too bad.

Check out the Omega Seamaster, James Bond Seamaster, and Omega Planet Ocean styles, all at great prices.

If the Submariner is a workhorse underwater, then the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 is the entire cavalry. The Sea-Dweller, introduced in 1971, is a heavier-duty version of the Submariner, with a thicker case and crystal.

The Sea-Dweller incorporates a helium escape valve for withstanding decompression, and is guaranteed to operate perfectly at 4000 feet or 1220 meters of water depth.

Other features include:

• 40mm - all steel
• Black dial
• Black unidirectional rotating bezel
• Perpetual rotor self-winding movement
• Oyster fliplock bracelet with extension links
• Helium escape valve

Chosen time and again by professional divers and especially saturation divers, this watch thrives where few others can even survive.

Related products: Sea-Dweller - see all selections.

Rolex Submariner. The name itself pretty much says it all. With just two words you know you’ll find the epitome of quality, at home in the depths of an underwater world.

In fact, Rolex invented the first waterproof watch in 1926, labeling it the Oyster. Every Oyster is water-resistant down to 300 meters or 1000 feet, and subjected to rigorous testing even beyond this guaranteed depth.

Several features have made the Submariner the preferred choice of professional divers for over 50 years. The oyster case is crafted from a block of solid stainless steel. Taking over 150 steps to manufacture, this miniature vault insures absolute water-tight integrity and protects the movement under the most extreme conditions.

The stainless steel used is not the usual 316L, but 904L which is a more corrosion-resistant, stainless steel alloy that can withstand the harshest environments. It can also be highly polished giving the Oyster, its impeccably brilliant finish.

Finally the Rolex Submariner has a unique Triplock winding crown which is designed to function at depths greater than most submarines. This complex device incorporates over ten components plus three separate gaskets to seal out water and foreign matter. Once screwed down, it provides water-resistance to a pressure of 500 bar, or 1000 lbs per square centimeter.

First introduced at the 1954 Basel Watch Fair, the Submariner has continued to evolve and become one of the most easily identifiable watches ever made. Part of this is no doubt due to its being the watch preferred by James Bond in most of his earlier movies.

Today, with its rugged good looks, and esteemed reputation, it’s hard to imagine a better watch choice for the guy wanting the ultimate in style and sophistication, not to mention making a not so subtle statement about being on top of his game.

View all available Rolex Submariner watches here.

Ian Flemings James Bond hit the stage in 1953, the same year that Rolex developed their Submariner. In his books, Fleming had Bond wearing a Rolex Perpetual Oyster, and when Sean Connery finally came to the big screen in 1962 with Dr. No, he did so wearing a Submariner.

Since then, the first four Bonds, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, and Timothy Dalton, spanning eleven movies, all wore one. There’s an article done by John E. Brozek for International Wristwatch Magazine, called “The James Bond Submariner, An Unauthorized History…”, that is well worth reading to learn more about the association between James Bond and the Rolex Submariner.

Actually, “Q” branch had one specially made for Roger Moore in “Live And Let Die” that had a spinning buzz-saw bezel, and a magnetic field that could deflect a bullet. Not sure how magnetism can affect a lead bullet, but there you go.

It wasn’t until Pierce Brosnan took over in “Goldeneye” that Bond commenced wearing an Omega Seamaster. Most recently, Daniel Craig has continued to do so.

According to Wikipedia,

“another reason for the change from the Rolex Submariner watches that Bond previously used to wear is the change in the business environment that surrounds modern high-profile films. Omega was amenable to participating in high profile co-promotions and product placements in the movies, something that the conservative Rolex company avoids”.

Related products: Rolex Submariner - view all styles.