Rolex or Omega??
RF
The NetherlandsPosts: 34MI6 Agent
Hi everybody,
What is your opion about Bond's watch?
Do you think he has to were omega of just the oposite, Rolex submariner?
Greetz
Ricardo
What is your opion about Bond's watch?
Do you think he has to were omega of just the oposite, Rolex submariner?
Greetz
Ricardo
Comments
I think Omega are great watches and the Seamaster Pro with the Helium escape valve was ideal because it gives an option of an extra button for the Gadgets Team. I just wish they'd stick with one iconic model (like the Brosnan era).
Having said that... For me, the Rolex Submariner is still THE iconic Bond watch!!
On that basis I think they should go back to Rolex and make comment in the film towards the fact that they have swapped back. A limited edition submariner / bond would sell like hot cakes. Better still, Bond is late to kill an assasin becuase his omega stops so he bins it and buys a rolex en route, now we are talking.
In case anyone hasnt noticed, I love watches !
I'm not sure I understand your complaint about the Omega bracelet. Removing links to adjust the size is commonplace on high-end watches. What is the benefit of having an adjustable bracelet? I got my Omega sized to my wrist and the size has been fine for the 14 years that I've had it. They're never going to go back to Rolex because Rolex won't pay them to use their watches. If you love watches so much, why do you hate Omega? They make fantastic watches, and they are certainly up to the high standards we expect from Bond. Having Bond wear a Citizen would be equivalent to him driving a Kia. The Omega is like having Bond drive a Lotus instead of an Aston Martin; it's not the ideal choice but it's not a bad one either.
Whilst I like Omega, I think that Bond should wear a Rolex for his diving watch and something dressier with his suits like Connery usually wore.
Fleming gave him a Rolex in the 50s maybe because Fleming himself wore a Rolex and /or because it was considered one of, if not the best diving watches of it's time. The military, especially the British Navy were testing these watches and back then the Rolex Submariner was considered a true "Tool Watch" something which James Bond would have required.
Most Bond fans would say that the Rolex Submariner is the real watch of the screen James Bond. But which model? He has also worn so many different models of the Rolex Submariner. Sean Connery, George Lazenby (also wore a Rolex Chronograph), Roger Moore (same submariner as George Lazenby) and Timothy Dalton all wore different Rolex Submariner models.
We are about to embark on James Bond's 8th film with him wearing an Omega Seamaster. He also wore the Rolex Submariner in 8 films (official films). So Omega has as much right now to be the screen James Bond watch.
If James Bond had been written today would he wear a Rolex? I doubt it. Would he choose an Omega? I doubt it also. But as long as Omega keep paying for it he will continue to wear an Omega.
And we will continue to discuss them and buy them -{
If Bond wore a Rolex today he would wear a recent Submariner model (or maybe the Sea Dweller). Q-Branch would replace his Rolex ever 5-10 years for newer models. He certainly wouldn't be wearing a 20-year-old watch.
Thank you for the clarification. I see your point on the fine adjustment, though I've seen few watches other than Rolex that have that. I find that the size of the links makes a big difference, and the Seamaster links are fairly large. I agree with you that Rolex suits Bond better, due to the history of the brand with both the novels and the films, but I don't think your comparisons are fair. From you previous post I really got the impression that you think Omegas are bad watches from your comparison to Kia and the comment about it stopping.
I'm glad Bond moved on from Seiko, though they do make excellent watches. I actually like that Craig has worn multiple watches in a few of his films. Connery and Moore often had two or sometimes three watches in one film.
At the moment though Omega are churning out far too many models and devaluing the brand - White Side Of The Moon anybody??
Love the look of the Casino Royale / QoS Planet Ocean however they changed it fast and never really gave it a chance to become iconic.
Aqua Terra Skyfall already discontinued etc for a new model - changed the look for the worse like the PO.
They could learn from Rolex in this department and let their models establish. The amount of Speedmaster models about to be released is staggering - getting a bit novelty
Point of view. Rolex I regard as a very high quality item. With Omega ( remember I'm not
A watch expert or collector) Before Bond, I regarded them as any other watch maker
On a par with Seiko etc.
I wouldn't buy one, far too much for a watch.
I am not sure where you have that knowledge from.
I've owned one or 2 Rolex over the years and never had complaints with accuracy.
If you are reading in the Rolex Forums, there are not many issues in that field - particularly compared to the number of watches that Rolex puts into the markets annually.
As for Bond: I agree with Asp9mm totally.
Besides this, I am not a fan of the SMP because of the bracelet. It lacks the microadjustment like previously mentioned but my larger beef is that hideous friction pins construction - where a simple large screw is so much better.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Brietling did the same thing for the SAS and SBS. Rolex did it with the SRR. It was just a promotional exercise, not a supply order.
SAS and SBS QM stores do still purchase Submariners and Sea-Dwellers. The reasons are two-fold. They are reliable timepieces and can be exchanged for cash or favours in an emergency. I remember a request coming in to the Hereford, Birmingham, Worcester, Solihull and Merryhill branches of Ernest Jones a few years back, with them requesting ten of each model. I was amazed they approached High Street stores like that, but they'd already contacted St James Square and they couldn't fulfill the order for them in the short time required. Ernest Jones couldn't either as it happened, but they did get about seven.
Over the years, as a case of art imitating life, life imitating art, the Seamaster has become one of the most popular watches in the Military and Police, certainly in the UK, and you will be aware both the SAS and SBS both have Planet Oceans and Seamaster GMTs as their Unit watches, which look the dogs b******s. I personally have worn a Seamaster in the military and on operational deployments in the field for 18 years, not sat behind a desk. I cannot say that I have seen many Subs on people’s wrists on Military Ops or in the security world, I have seen a few but sensibly guys reserve these for ‘best’. I have conversely seen a fair amount of Seamasters on other guys wrist all over the world. Does that make them common ? I guess they are because they are more affordable.
I certainly wouldn’t wear a Sub where it might get knocked about. A fair amount of abuse has been handed to both Seamasters and I am not alone in saying that there are true working watch. It will never be as robust as a G Shock but not much is. I agree with Skippy above, my old Unit got a new watch recently, sadly choosing a Bremont MB II over the PO, and as gucci as it looks with the Unit crest and other little bespoke nuances, it just feels too nice to thrash around.
I guess this will always come down to choice. The Omega is robust, reliable and rugged and whatever the argument, has been Bonds watch for 20 years. The Rolex is smart, handsome and although well made and tough in it’s own right not as good a timekeeper. It will always however be a great Bond watch.
They are both amazing watches that any owner should be lucky to own and wear. In 20, 30, 40 years time people will still be looking at pictures of old Subs and Seamasters, I have no doubt.
When Rolex first came out, as it's mentioned, it was more of a "tool" watch. Not something designed for the rich and famous. Over the years, it's reputation changed.
Omega seems more appropriate now for someone who wants a high-end looking and performing watch, but isn't looking to draw too much attention to themselves. It's closer to what Rolex was back in the late 50's. I say that Rolex was right for the time when Bond was wearing them, and Omega is right for the time Craig is wearing them. Makes sense to me.
Maybe the new Seamaster 300 will be an iconic one?? I sold my Omega to buy a Submariner(i'm very happy with new watch), but sometime I miss the watch because the Bond connection. Ofcourse Rolex have a Bond connection aswell.
I'd like to know where the myth of Rolex not being as good a timekeeper comes from. COSC rate them in exactly the same accuracy category. I used to work for Rolex and my less-than-better-half used to work for Omega marketing. Even she acknowledges that Rolex are still better made.
I like Omega's, the PO is a beautiful watch and I like its looks over the Sub. But when you compare a well worn 10 year old Omega to a 10 year old well worn Rolex. There is a huge difference.
By teh way Higgins, Omega have improved their bracelets no end in the pin/screw department. My main gripe on a watch of that quality price point is the flimsy crown/stem they still use and that blasted AR coating on the outside.