Overshadowed Icons: James Bond’s First Omega Seamaster

Watch enthusiast Alexander Salah brings us a guest editorial on a well-known and much-iterated classic over 70 years in the making: the Omega Seamaster.

There are few watches more iconic than the Omega Seamaster. Throughout the last few centuries, there have been many iterations of the celebrated Omega diver, originally debuting in 1948 as a water-resistant dress watch. But few references come close to the 300M ref. 2541.80.00 — the watch made famous by none other than Pierce Brosnan in his role as James Bond. 

If the Rolex Submariner (the most well-known dive watch of all time) is associated with the famed Sean Connery (certified legend), then there is no better subsequent comparison than that of the Omega Seamaster and Pierce Brosnan. Eras of design come and go, but icons last forever, and this Omega Seamaster reference is nothing less than iconic.

Although I have only been collecting watches for a few years, I have always had an eye for bracelets. The bracelets that tend to catch my eye are ones with classic design cues, minimal gaps and spacing, and multiple links (think Breitling’s 740A Navitimer steel bracelet). There is something about a vintage bracelet that makes me think “That’s some fucking class”, to quote the great Nico Leonard (Pride & Pinion).

The bracelet on the Omega Seamaster is said to be one of the most comfortable bracelets of the 1990s and early 2000s. Compare the bracelet to a Rolex Submariner bracelet of those time periods and there is no contest. The taper-less bracelet is so comfortable, that since the Seamaster 300M’s introduction in 1993, Omega has hardly changed its styling. The Seamaster 300m (albeit with minor cosmetic and movement upgrades) with the same bracelet is being produced today in 2021, just as it was in 1993.

There is arguably no watch more closely associated with James Bond than the Omega Seamaster, but Pierce Brosnan introduced the Seamaster to Bond. The swagger that Brosnan brought to the role in 1995 with Goldeneye cemented the Seamaster’s iconic status among not just collectors, but movie and film buffs. This watch will remain forever popular as it is collectable, not just due to its association with James Bond, but also due to its legendary craftsmanship and style associated with the Omega brand.

Speaking as someone who has made countless mistakes throughout my watch collecting journey (yes, all the way up to 50mm Invictas), I truly believe the 36mm Seamaster hits the sweet spot in terms of style, size, and elegance. Style in the watchmaking industry has of course shifted massively throughout the past 50 years (especially given the quartz crisis in the 1970s), but successful watch companies and model lines have adapted well while still retaining their heritage. The Seamaster 300m face, bracelet, and build quality without a doubt highlight Omega’s heritage. Throw in a COSC-rated Omega Caliber 1120 (based on the ETA 2892-A2), and there isn't much more you can get for the money.

Sure, the watch industry has seen a shift towards larger dials in the last 20 years, but there is an undeniable heritage charm in the classic 34-36mm watches of old. Luckily, I believe the watch industry has taken a step back in their “bigger is better” stance and has started to revert back to a more classic and purist size. There is a certain type of elegance to be felt when wearing a 36mm watch. I believe this Seamaster strikes the perfect balance of elegance and class. Just ask 007.

Whether you’re talking about iconic cars such as the Lamborghini Countach, Aston Martin DB5, and Corvette stingray, or about iconic watches such as Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, Cartier’s Tank, or Patek’s Nautilus, every icon has a distinct design language and holds strong in its heritage — and there should be a place reserved in the hall of icons for Omega’s Seamaster 300M just the same. 

I grew up watching the James Bond films with my family, and my father and younger brother are staunch 007 fans just as I am. These movies and this watch are important to me, as they remind me of nights with the family, and spending quality time with my brother and father. Whenever I put my Seamaster on my wrist, I can't help but think, “Bond, James Bond”.

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