Three Generation of Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M on the Wrist of Commander Bond
Wearing my Bond Watch to See "No Time To Die"
As a loyal James Bond 007 movie buff, I have seen all of the movies, multiple times. I own a massive DVD set of Bond movies too. When the latest movie “No time to die” came to town, I booked the tickets well in advance. It was a real treat watching this fantastic and gripping movie starring Daniel Craig today, only one day after the highly anticipated worldwide release.
For this special occasion, I wore my Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Diver reference 2220.80.00 proudly. It was the timepiece that Daniel Craig had on his wrist in his first James Bond appearance in the movie “Casino Royale” in 2006. My parents gave this watch to me as a birthday gift in 2007, knowing that I’m a fan of James Bond movies. It is the first luxury watch I owned and also the oldest watch in my current collection. I wrote a review of this watch last year for this newsletter.
There are three generation of Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M being features in the Jame Bond movies. Let us look at the history of this iconic Omega Seamaster blue dialed diver with wave pattern, together with the genius marketing partnership with the James Bond movies.
First generation Quartz Ref 2541.80.00 featured in “GoldenEye” (1995)
The Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M made its debut as a new watch model line in 1993. The signature features including the blue dial, wave pattern, the helium escape valve and 5-link bracelet would remain till today, 27 years and counting.
To promote this new model, Omega reached out to the James Bond movie franchise around 1995 and started a highly effective and storied marketing collaboration. This text-book case of ultimate product placement in movies set an example of marketing genius often attributed to Mr. Jean-Claude Biver. In this video interview, Mr. Biver recounted a female marketing executive who proposed the idea 3 times before Mr. Biver finally was pursued to go with it. The collaboration started with the Bond movie “Goldeneye” released in 1995 where Pierce Brosnan started out as the new secret agent 007. The cool image of Bond’s chosen timepiece boosted the sale of Seamaster diver tremendously. The rest is history.
To better illustrate the evolution of this model line over time, we will list the key specs and compare them with the later models.
Seamaster Diver 300M Ref 2541.80.00
Produced: 1993 - 1997
Movement: Quartz, base ETA 255.461, Omega caliber 1538
Power reserve (battery life): 42 months
Diameter: 41mm
Bezel material: stainless steel
Date position: 3 o’clock
Caseback: closed
First Generation Automatic Ref 2531.80.00 featured in “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), “The World Is Not Enough” (1999) and “Die Another Day” (2002).
Around the same time, an automatic version of the first generation Seamaster Diver 300M was produced. Actually, based on the reference numbers, it is highly likely that the automatic model was conceived slightly ahead of the Quartz model (2531.80 vs 2541.80). The two models are identical in all aspects except the movement. On the dial of the automatic watch, there is “chronometer” which can be used to tell the difference.
Seamaster Diver 300M Ref 2531.80.00
Produced: 1993 - 2005
Movement: automatic, base ETA 2892-A2, Omega caliber 1120
Power reserve: 44 hours
Diameter: 41mm
Bezel material: stainless steel
Date position: 3 o’clock
Caseback: closed
For the three subsequent Bond movies, Pierce Brosnan would be rocking the same watch, the automatic Seamaster Diver 300M Ref 2531.80.00. The model lasted an impressive 12 years, contributing greatly to Omega’s bottom-line. Normally, it takes about 7 years for watch brands to release a major upgrade. We may see here the incredible marketing power for the Omega to keep selling this watch aided by the tie-in with the famous spy.
Second Generation Ref 2220.80.00 Co-Axial featured in Casino Royale (2006)
In 2005, a major upgrade took place with the introduction of a new movement with co-axial escapement. The movement was constructed by combining a base ETA 2892-A2 caliber with an Omega co-axial module. The external design of the watch remained about the same.
Seamaster Diver 300M Ref 2220.80.00
Produced: 2006 - 2013
Movement: base ETA 2892-A2 + Co-axial, Omega caliber 2500
Power reserve: 48 hours
Diameter: 41mm
Bezel material: aluminum
Date position: 3 o’clock
Caseback: closed
This movement upgrade coincided with the debut of Daniel Craig starring as the super spy. The movie “Casino Royale” was released in 2006 with smashing box-office success. However, this would be the last time the iconic blue dial Seamaster with wave pattern featured in the 007 movements.
Second Generation Ref 2226.80.00 300M Chronometer 007 Limited Edition
In 2006, a 10,007-piece limited edition James Bond watch was released by Omega in conjunction with the movie “Casino Royale”. The spiral of a gun barrel on the dial echos the signature opening animation at every Bond movie. There is a 007 logo on the seconds hand and the bracelet clasp, and 007 engraved on the beautiful case back. Other than these specific decorations, this watch is the same as the standard second generation blue dialed model. This special watch may be had today at the secondary markets for $5K without paper and box and for $7k with paper and box.
Third and Current Generation Ref 210.30.42.20.03.001 Master Chronometer Blue Dial
A major update took place in 2018 with a number of visible changes in the appearance of this iconic model. First, the date window was moved from 3 o’clock to 6 o’clock. The bezel is made of ceramic now, joining the trend adopted by many top brands. The diameter of the dial was increased by 1mm to 42mm.
A brand new movement completely developed in-house may be found in this third generation Seamaster model. Calibre 8800 is based on the unique to Omega co-axial technology and certified as a Master Chronometer. The power reserve is now 55 hours surpassing a weekend’s time. To showcase the cutting edge movement, a transparent case back was adopted in this major update.
Seamaster Diver 300M Ref 210.30.42.20.03.001 (in current production)
Produced: 2018 - present
Movement: Omega Co-axial Master Chronometer calibre 8800
Power reserve: 55 hours
Diameter: 42mm
Bezel material: Ceramic
Date position: 6 o’clock
Caseback: transparent
The standard blue dial version of this watch has not been featured in any of the recent Bond movies. As it turns out, “brown” is the new “blue” for the James Bond selected timepieces.
Third Generation Ref 210.90.42.20.01.001 Master Chronometer Brown Dial “Edition 007” featured in “No Time to Die” (2020)
“No time to Die” would be the last film for Daniel Craig starring as the Commander Bond. The premiere of the movie was delayed by a year due to the pandemic. The iconic Seamaster Diver 300M has been once again selected to be worn by agent 007 and plays a key role in the movie. The watch in the movie was equipped by Q a strong electromagnetic wave generator. The watch was used to shutdown the whole camera security system in the building first and then used to over-power an enemy by blowing up his fake eye. It was truly a tool watch serving our super spy well.