[cdiet123]

Needless to say, Omega’s reputation among divers was well on its way even before the first Seamaster was released. The watch brand also drew their Influence for the first Seamaster from older waterproof watches worn on the wrists of the British military during WWII. However, what would initially distinguish the first Seamaster from its predecessors was its rubber O-ring gasket that separated the dive watch from other lead or shellac gaskets which were more susceptible to temperature changes. Instead, Omega’s rubber gasket prevented any water infiltration in severe temperature changes ranging between -40° C to 50° C.

[rickiehenry1]

Then, in 1964, Omega redesigned the Seamaster, increasing the case size to 42mm and providing it with twisted bombe lugs along with an enlarged bezel. The new design then caught the eye of British Naval divers who began using the Seamaster 300 before switching over to the Rolex Submariner. more

[BrightAnarchist]

For some time now the Omega Seamaster has carried with it the notable reputation as the official watch of James Bond. For more than 20 years 007 has sported some iteration of the Seamaster whether he’s at the casino performing some sly recon on a target or in-action either fighting the good fight, jumping out of helicopters, or submerged below the sea surface on the big screen. And while this is all good and entertaining on at face value, there’s much more of a story to tell here that predates the Bond enterprise.

[KanyT]

Then in 1971, the Seamaster 1000 was unleashed and made history during it’s journey to more than 1000 meters beneath the ocean’s surface while attached to IUC’s (International Underwater Contractors) submarine Beaver Mark IV’s robotic arm. Both of these watches were purposed as nearly indestructible timepieces – so much so that they were impermeable to helium. more

[Myst]

The Omega franchise began with GoldenEye in 1995, with a quartz Seamaster Professional specially equipped with a laser beam that allowed Pierce Brosnan to cut through a metal sidecar, freeing him from a train where he was held captive. In Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond’s Omega Seamaster Professional has an integrated detonator. In The World is Not Enough, Bond’s Seamaster Professional has a built-in wire with a grappling hook that helps him avoid being buried in an avalanche. In Die Another Day his Seamaster features a crown-activated remote detonator in place of a helium valve. here

[charlemith20]

James Bond, in his perpetual endeavor to save the world, is always in possession of four things: a cool car, a big gun, a hot babe and a great watch. The most important and practical of these accoutrements, of course, is the watch. Bond cheats death repeatedly in the franchise, and sometimes it’s the Aston Martin that saves him, thanks to elaborate weapons and bullet shields or by transforming into a plane. Other times, his quick wit and keen eye see him through, like the time he catches the reflection of a knife-wielding bad guy in the eye of a woman he is kissing. His Walther P99 is also a handy tool, getting him out of many a jam. But let’s face it, Bond would have been toes up ages ago were it not for his watches.

[corwin78]

Thanks to Q, the British Secret Service’s gadget mastermind, Bond’s timepieces have variously performed double duty as rocket launchers, laser beams, detonators, a Geiger counter, a buzz saw and an explosive device.

[DrakxQueen3iv]

The Seamaster has by now cemented its reputation as not only the Bond watch of choice but a collectors favorite. A few years ago, Antiquorum sold two original Omegas worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale—a Seamaster sold for $49,500, and a Planet Ocean for $177,140. Another collector nabbed a Seamaster worn by Pierce Brosnan in Tomorrow Never Dies for $57,680—laser beams not included.

[dangerman]

Over the years, the watches have become nearly as fetishized as the films. Officially, Bond has worn only five brands: Breitling, Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Hamilton, and for the past decade, 007’s watch of choice has been some version of the Omega Seamaster. It started with Rolex, the only brand actually named in any of Ian Fleming’s books (Casino Royale). For the first few films, 007 wore a Rolex Submariner, beginning with 1962’s Dr. No. It was not a placement; the watch (which gets several closeups in the films) is widely rumored to have been the personal watch of Ian Fleming, who created the character. The Rolex Submariner appears again in License to Kill, released in 1989. A Brietling Top Time Diver Ocean made an appearance in 1965’s Thunderball. It was equipped with a geiger counter that helps Sean Connery locate two atomic bombs in the possession of enemy organization SPECTRE. This was followed by a Hamilton Pulsar in 1973’s Live and Let Die, sharing air time with another Rolex Submariner. Seiko, the superstar inventor of quartz technology, starred in the films during the quartz era in the ’70s and ’80s, beginning with The Spy Who Loved Me. In the opening sequence of that film, we see a ticker tape spooling out of Bond’s Seiko 0674 LC with the message: “Report to headquarters immediately.” Seiko timepieces made appearances in the next four Bond films.

[Drunken F00l]

Moore bowed as 007 in 1973's "Live and Let Die," and starred in six more Bond films, through "A View to Kill." When that film premiered in 1985, Moore was 57 years old. more

[Btcm]

Clockwise from top left: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton. CBS News here

[deadalus]

Eight percent of respondents pick Daniel Craig, the current wearer of the Bond mantle (most recently in "Skyfall"), while one percent each pick Timothy Dalton ("The Living Daylights") or George Lazenby ("On Her Majesty's Secret Service") as the best Bond. [links]

[wscott]

Over the past 50 years there have been 23 official James Bond films, and the character has been portrayed by six different actors. So who was the best Bond?

[yvethwarren]

Pierce Brosnan – James Bond Movies:
Die Another Day (2002)
The World Is Never Enough (1999)
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Golden Eye (1995) more

[Cyril]

Timothy Dalton – James Bond Movies:
License To Kill (1989)
The Living Daylights (1987) here

[sdolier]

Roger Moore – James Bond Movies:
A View To A Kill (1985)
Octopussy (1983)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Moonraker (1979)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
Live And Let Die (1973) [links]

[helg]

James Bond has been played by seven actors, the most well-known of which are Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, and Roger Moore.