The Bond connection
> Daniel Craig remembers the moment his life changed as the release of Spectre approaches
IT began with a rumour. A story that was circulating the world and capturing the attention of James Bond fans everywhere. Could Daniel Craig be the sixth actor to play the iconic part of 007? For the actor himself, the idea seemed farfetched.
“The year that someone said, ‘you might be in line for playing James Bond’, I thought, ‘it’s a lovely idea, but I’m never going to play James Bond’.
“I mean, I just couldn’t see it ever happening.”
However, as the gossip grew, the dream began to take hold. Suddenly, the role was in his sights and that “lovely idea” seemed close to reality.
And that’s when, on a trip to Hungary, his thoughts immediately turned to OMEGA.
“I went to a second-hand store and I bought myself an OMEGA. I thought, if I don’t become James Bond, this will be a reminder that I nearly did.”
Whether he was to get the part or not, Daniel Craig had cemented his connection with James Bond, ensuring that he would always have an attachment to the character.
The particular model purchased was a 1968 OMEGA Seamaster 300, ironically the predecessor of the Seamaster 300 his character wears in SPECTRE.
This vintage model, driven by the calibre 565, was a diver’s watch worn by the underwater adventurers of the British Royal Navy. Again, a highly appropriate model for an actor destined to become 007.
Now, as the story comes full circle, it’s hard to imagine any other actor more appropriate for the films. Reflecting on that critical moment in his life, Craig says, “That’s all history now. But I still wear that watch to this day.” And, 10 years after the rumours began, Daniel Craig is again wearing an OMEGA Seamaster 300, this time on screen, a personal reminder of the role he has famously made his own.