Apparently Miranda Frost wasn’t the only mole inside MI6, because I’ve just received confirmation that the Omega watch James Bond will wear in Casino Royale is one of the following.

Omega De Ville Co-Axial Power Reserve (4832.51.31). As first mentioned in my 1/5 blog, this watch (still) sits oddly out of place next to the Seamasters on the dedicated “Watch Selection James Bond” page of the Omega website.

And with an image of Pierce Brosnan as backdrop!

Omega Planet Ocean (model number unknown). This has led speculation since announcement of a new direction for the franchise. Case size will undoubtedly depend on the size of Daniel Craig’s wrist size.

Omega Seamaster 300 M Diver Chronometer (2531.80.00), same watch as worn by Mr. Brosnan in his last three James Bond 007 films. Breaking news here is that this line is being updated to feature Omega’s co-axial movement.

My personal preference at this point is the De Ville.

It’s certainly in keeping with the Casino Royale settings in the Ian Fleming book. And a “James Bond in the early days” can get away with this, a timepiece that lacks the technical sophistication he’ll require in a dive watch (eg, less substantial water resistance, no timing bezel) — let alone Q-Branch modifications, à la helium release valve-cum-gadget port.

Further, the fact that it looks so different from the watches worn by Mr. Brosnan, yet is familiar vis-à-vis the Rolex watches worn by Sean Connery throughout the 1960s, adds a helpful visual cue to what the producers seem to be after.

Without a doubt, it’s the best marketing move for Omega.

They still have the new buyers interested in a now-decade-old Bond style of the last four films; they attract the more buttoned-down types who wouldn’t buy the MSRP $1995.00 Seamaster 2531.80, dismissing it as too informal for their corporate office attire; and best of all, Omega is guaranteed to additionally sell these watches to die-hard 007 fans who already own the Pierce Brosnan-era issues.

Of the three, however — and being somewhat studied on this subject — I have to say that the most authentic choice for a navy commander Bond now extending his service to MI6, is the Planet Ocean. Better diver functions, imminently more readable than the 2531.80 series, and beefy enough for Q-Branch when it’s ready again to modify James Bond’s 007 field watch.