James Bond Watches Blog

Exactly one week ago today, Empire magazine posted this photo of Daniel Craig in-character as James Bond in "Skyfall." Would you buy an Omega watch now based on speculated identification based only on what you see here?

Last Friday the thirteenth must have been a happy one for James Bond fans, considering the number of Tweets and eMails I’ve gotten with requests to identify the Skyfall wristwatch — based on this movie set image released through Empire magazine, one week ago today.

“There it is!” read one subject line.

Sorry. I still don’t see it. And, from the watch forum threads I’ve watched spring up that day, only to crash for lack of substance the next, neither does anyone else.

Anyone “credible,” that is. Of course there are those wish-watch experts who “see” without a doubt a blue titanium Seamaster Planet Ocean by Omega in this Skyfall image.

Nobody buys that. Or, rather: Nobody’s gonna buy based on that.

With all due respect, ask yourself: Why on earth is anyone looking in the first place?

I for one wasn’t even hell-bent to break news with the Quantum of Solace James Bond screen-worn watch model identification. Beyond that, I believe the difference in time between whoever actually did, versus the blogger from Timbuktu who picked it up as old news, could be measured in hours.

The Skyfall Omega won’t be any different.

Unfortunately, product placement partners are playing by 2005 rules, operating on assumptions based on what they saw with James Bond watches tied to Casino Royale.

Let’s remember some of the James Bond watch factors that had us watching 7 years ago:

• “The James Bond Omega” was ostensibly continue reading…

Although Daniel Craig inherited the role of "James Bond" Ambassador for Omega in 2006, it's actually been the Bond girls who've been most visible in promoting his movie-related James Bond watches

According to Omega, 81% of its 1995 market was “Gents.”

In 2010, the distribution was only 51% Gents, compared to 49% wristwatches for “Ladies.”

James Bond started wearing Omega in 1995, of course — with the introduction of Pierce Brosnan as 007 in GoldenEye. His watch was a quartz Seamaster, which I suppose no one who knows his watches could imagine today.

Then again, as has been pointed out elsewhere, a great deal has changed in the world of James Bond since 1995. Specifically, a greater emphasis on the female characters. Remember the rumored “Jinx” spin-off series that was discussed as Die Another Day was coming out in 2002?

Quantum of Solace scripting took us right into the bedroom of Lady M. And now in the third month of principle photography on Skyfall, we’ve seen more photos of Judy Dench online than of Daniel Craig. Not to say that his performance as James Bond in Skyfall will be a minor one. As Michael G. Wilson emphasized at the press conference last November, Barbara Broccoli is interested in seeing more of Mr Craig, sans clothing, in Bond 23.

Yet keeping the Omega on his wrist as proof of performance, again, following suit after the sauna sequence in GoldenEye?

It’s been somewhat the subject of debate as to when, exactly, Daniel Craig became a brand ambassador for Omega watches. Sure, his “James Bond” seamlessly stepped into the job as Pierce Brosnan stepped out. But only in terms of the product placement arrangement with the movies; not, as Mr Brosnan had enjoyed, as his own, separate person.

That changed recently, and now Mr Craig is official on his own as well with Omega. Starting in 2010? or 2011? Either way, not in 2008.

The, um, acting brand ambassador for Omega? back continue reading…

October 2008: Daniel Craig shown wearing a Goldfinger-era Rolex Submariner watch in EMPIRE magazine to promote his last James Bond movie

Immediately following the Skyfall press conference just a couple of months back now, a great deal of speculation sprung up about what was interpreted as an anticipated change of direction from the 2006 Casino Royale and 2008 Quantum of Solace.

Subsequently, various references to Goldfinger — official and otherwise. Photos of a classic Aston Martin DB5 on the Skyfall set.

Sudden shift, à la Bond with a capital B? Or something that’s been kicking around for quite a while? Maybe even tying back to the release of Quantum of Solace?

On September 25, 2008, I wrote here on this James Bond Watches Blog:

For no apparent reason, an article titled “Quantum’s Solace” in … EMPIRE magazine diverts from a discussion of filming … to go on for a paragraph about Daniel Craig’s watch — a Rolex Submariner….

(Emphasis added.)

Obvious points to draw from that article, in its time, would focus on the fact that Daniel Craig had no personal brand ambassador status with Omega in 2008, unlike his predecessor, Pierce Brosnan, had had. (The likeness of both men were featured, of course, in-character, as “James Bond.”)

Furthermore, no official commitment had been announced regarding Omega as product placement partner on “Bond 23,” cum MGM Studios bankruptcy, cum 2012 release date.

James Bond watches notwithstanding, here’s continue reading…