James Bond Watches Blog

Outside of 007 horology often called the "Arnie," this H558-5000 James Bond watch can only truly be identified by its model number: SPW001

The image shown at left here focuses on the original hang tag for one of my Seiko model SPW001, case number H558-5000 duo-display Diver’s 150-meter James Bond watches.

As I’ve mentioned previously, Seiko UK has formally clarified that it is only by use of its model references that any watch it provided for wear by Roger Moore as James Bond in the Eon Productions films can be uniquely identified.

The case number is in many cases not sufficiently specific enough to do so.

Yet the model indication does not appear anywhere on the these physical Seiko watches themselves.

Original purchasers would have received the SPW001 model number on the hang tag included with, in this example, their purchase of H558-5000 watches from Authorized Dealers.

Of course, we’re now a quarter-century out from A View to a Kill and the Seiko SPW001, H558-5000 Diver’s watch use as a James Bond watch. Uncommon as it is to find original packaging and instructions, it’s continue reading…

Last Thursday I picked up my Hamilton Pulsar P-2 from Retro LEDs here in Michigan. I am very pleased.

Cosmetically, you can compare the image at left to the one I Posted here on March 26 to see the results of case rebrushing and glass replacement.

Inside, Ed Cantarella replaced the quartz oscillator and bypassed the light sensor to get full brightness out of the display (sacrificing battery life, my choice).

If I’d asked, I’m sure the work could have been completed more quickly; but I said up front there was no rush.

There’s never any guarantee with a vintage piece, and this won’t replace the Bond diver’s watch I have for every day wear. But I’m satisfied with what he’s done here.

After a protracted bit of research, I’ve located and interviewed a shop to do restoration work on my Hamilton Pulsar P-2 (the “Astronaut” model #2900, similar to what Roger Moore first wore as James Bond in the movie Live and Let Die).

This piece was a diamond in the rough, and I knew that when I bought it, for a great price. Most significantly, the crystal has to be replaced: As this image shows, it’s not just chipped, but actually quite gouged with a scratch that won’t give up to polishing. The previous owner did his own spiff-up job on the case, so I’m seeing about having that restored to its OEM finish as well.

Batteries are no longer manufactured to continue reading…