IN THE NICK OF TIME

Bond fans may be motivated to be watch collectors too if OMEGA’s non-limited Seamaster 300m 007 edition is anything to go by. The release is meticulously timed to coincide with the long-awaited screening of the new Bond film, No Time to Die, and the design, developed with lead actor Daniel Craig, is a keeper. It’s right on trend with what collectors want today — a beautiful bracelet, vintage look — and adventurous character. The Seamaster has been 007’s accessory line of choice since GoldenEye in 1995.

The Seamaster Professional Diver 300m has featured most often in the last nine Bond films, with the Planet Ocean 600m and its Co-Axial Chronometer with 45.5mm diameter case and rubber strap appearing in Casino Royale in 2006.

The more sophisticated Aqua Terra was introduced for Skyfall in 2012.

All the Bond watches have featured blue or black dials and metal straps (except for that Planet Ocean version), until the Seamaster 300 appeared on a NATO strap in Spectre in 2015.

Now, the highly collectable OMEGA Seamaster 300m 007 edition is crafted from lightweight Grade 2 titanium and presented in a 42mm case, fastened with a titanium mesh bracelet or striped NATO strap in dark brown, grey and beige. The doming of the sapphirecrystal glass contributes to a slightly slimmer watch.

The piece features an aluminium dial and bezel in what collectors call “tropical”, a tone associated with some vintage dials. The caseback showcases a series of numbers that follow the format for military-issue watches. “0552” is a naval code number; “923 7697” is the number for a diver’s watch; the letter “A” indicates a watch with a screw-in crown; “007” is Bond’s agent number, and “62” refers to the year of the first Bond film.

The watch is powered by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806, is water-resistant to 300m and comes with OMEGA’s full five-year warranty.