James Bond Watches Blog

Image: Omega 2531.80 James Bond watch, with Aston Martin model in background ("Die Another Day," 2002, starring Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007)

Actually, it’s been in beta for a while now.

But we’re set with the shakedown, and committed to a schedule of twice-monthly updates.

James Bond Watch Photos is a dedicated sister-site where we’ve organized and made available mostly exclusive photography. There is only a limited number of Categories, for straightforward access: By wristwatch type, James Bond story title, and image size.

All known brands featured in the movies are covered. Most models are here. Some literary and licensed product James Bond watches have started to be included, with more to come. This is also where we have and will be cataloging official product placement photographs, such as wallpapers provided by Omega.

Images are available for immediate download, for personal use only. Subject to copyright limitations.

Media inquiries are welcome: Contact Proteus Publishing for access to photographs at higher resolution, without watermarks.

Omega Seamaster 2531.80 James Bond watch

The image continue reading…

"Ian Fleming's Own James Bond Watch" display at the National Watch & Clock Museum, as it appeared before modification to recognize the new 007 author Jeffery Deaver yesterday

Our “Ian Fleming’s Own James Bond Watch” display was changed yesterday.

And it won’t be returned to that first configuration, shown here, at left, on this James Bond Watches Blog.

As of 7:30am this past May 4, the Rolex and Omega watches were wound; synchronized and running in time with the functioning quartz Seiko completing this trio. The case was closed, security measures put in place. Here it is.

I’ve heard feedback from some that they’d prefer professional photos taken through the cover, as this is more historically representative of how visitors actually experienced it.

First editions of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service were included for the references made therein to the original literary James Bond 1016 Explorer that Ian Fleming not only wore on his wrist as he typed the very first manuscript, but also “wrote onto the wrist of James Bond” in exposition text. Topmost is a first-impression; underneath, a rarer, but inexplicably less popular Uncorrected Proof (only about 250 printings are believed to have been run).

We had several photograph options for showing Ian Fleming, some of which were previously part the “Bond Watches, James Bond Watches” exhibit that this display follows at the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania. We agreed on this openning to a page from the February 2009 issue of WatchTime magazine, showing my feature article, “Discovered: James Bond’s Rolex,” for the personal, relaxed side it shows of the 007 creator.

And, of course, he’s wearing the James Bond Rolex Explorer 1016 watch that’s exhibited here.

Those claiming to be “unsure” just haven’t done their homework

The facing page of the magazine cites Fionn Morgan, Ian Fleming’s stepdaughter, as primary source both for validation of the watch as Ian Fleming’s only Rolex, and as his reference for the On Her Majesty’s Secret Service literary James Bond watch. (Keep the accountability that I have shown in mind when considering spurious arguments that there’s “still a lot of doubt” about continue reading…

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean "Casino Royale" limited edition: Along side Ian Fleming's own James Bond watch (at left)

This Omega reference 2907.50.91 “Casino Royale” limited Edition Seamaster Planet Ocean watch is second of only two other watches included as part of our “Ian Fleming’s Own James Bond Watch” display.

Historically, it’s quite interesting for several reasons.

Prior to Casino Royale (2006), Omega had only mass-marketed one licensed tie-in watch per the product placement relationship it began with Eon Productions with GoldenEye (1995). That was the 2537.80 for the 40th anniversary of the 007 films in 2002.

The “Bond Omega” was established as the standard-sized blue/blue Seamaster diver. Although people such as me anticipated that there would be a style change with Daniel Craig taking over the lead role from Pierce Brosnan,efforts to confirm this were not only stymied, but an updated 2220.80 blue/blue Seamaster with co-axial movement emphasized as the James Bond watch for Casino Royale. Along with this, a 10,007-piece 2226.80 limited edition was released.

But there was a second Casino Royale watch — or, rather, another watch, that appeared early in the film (pre- and post-Double O status, by the way). That was the 2900.50.91, the 2907.50.91, such as the one now on display at the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, PA, its licensed brother, limited to 5,007 pieces.

The watch being discussed here continue reading…