omega gauges

We previously blogged about Omega being the official timekeeper of the Beijing Olympics. But Omega has also introduced a slick set of new watches to commemorate the games. While none of the 16 models particularly appeal to this writer, perhaps they work for you? What do you think?

Omega continued its on-screen relationship as the James Bond watch in 2006’s Casino Royale. Daniel Craig was new to the role and Omega created a special version of its Seamaster Planet Ocean for the occasion. Like all Seamasters, this Planet Ocean has the Omega 2500 self-winding chronometer movement, rotating bezel, a power reserve of nearly 48 hours, and a rhodium-plated finish on the 45.5 mm case. This time, however, the blue dial of Pierce Brosnan’s 300 M diver Seamaster would be cast aside for a black dial and a depth rating of 2,000 feet, a signature feature of Omega’s Planet Ocean design. 92 Uniqueness Craig’s Omega, featured prominently throughout the film, contains no high-tech gadgets. Casino Royale is decidedly low-tech in gadgetry, but the watch itself stands out for several reasons. First, James Bond has worn an all stainless-steel watch since the early 1960 films of Sean Connery. Second, the look and style of Craig’s Planet Ocean is reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner that Connery first wore in 1962’s Dr. No, which featured a black dial and bezel on a black leather strap. Daniel Craig’s Omega is the first Bond watch to be on a rubber strap with a buckle closure and speaks to Bond’s action-ready SAS (Special Air Service) beginnings in the British Royal Navy. Its similarity to Connery’s Submariner is deftly mentioned when Eva Green, as Vesper Lynd, takes notice of it on the train to Montenegro with Bond as she mistakenly calls it a Rolex. Bond corrects her by uttering the single word: “Omega,” and their flirtation continues. The reference, however, serves two purposes: It rewrites on screen Bond’s character development and description. Read more 80 Durability Craig’s Seamaster Planet Ocean with its black dial and rubber strap is far more stylish than the blue dial sported by Pierce Brosnan in his outings as 007. For the man on the go, as Craig’s Bond is, the rubber strap can be swapped for a stainless steel bracelet to give the watch a refined masculine edge for wear with a suit or tuxedo. In a sense, this switch from strap to steel signifies another evolution in Craig’s portrayal of Bond. The utility of the rubber strap required of the first half of the movie is no longer needed as he transcends into the world of the Casino Royale. In either incarnation you would be hard-pressed to find a watch that rivals the sheer vitriolic and testosterone-infused look and feel of this watch. This comes in part from the weight of the watch itself as Omega die cuts each case from a separate and single piece of stainless steel before adding its Co-Axial Escapement movement. Best of all perhaps is that you too can enjoy the modern simplicity Omega has brought to the wrist of Mr. Bond.