Omega contribute to 50 years Goldfinger Aqua Terra watch

sold for CHF 106.000

more here:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/christies-auctions-gold-omega-seamaster-aqua-terra-piece-unique-to-celebrate-50-years-of-goldfinger

Last week, Christie’s held an online auction to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Goldfinger, the third Bond film, which first hit theaters in 1964. With all proceeds going to the NSPCC, online bidders spared no expense in snatching up iconic James Bond memorabilia. Omega provided a contribution of their own to the auction, a piece unique Seamaster Aqua Terra covered in 18k gold. Pre-auction estimates on the watch were 12,000-18,000 CHF. The final realized price? 106,000 CHF.

Bond has had an Omega strapped to his wrist since 1995’s GoldenEye, and Omega has been known to produce limited-edition watches to celebrate the partnership, such as this Planet Ocean. While that one may have been “limited” to 5007 pieces, the Goldfinger Aqua Terra is truly unique, as in one of a kind, created specifically for this auction. A few details set this Aqua Terra apart from the others, including a rather unusual dial.

Among the most memorable scenes of Goldfinger is actress Shirley Eaton covered in gold (paint). It’s a short but powerful image, ultimately appearing in magazines and posters for the movie. Omega makes no mention of this being inspiration for the dial, but the organic, loose leaf effect is certainly reminiscent of the iconic scene. In reality, it is 18k gold under the sapphire crystal.

The gold theme continues throughout the watch, with an 18k gold case (38.5 mm), bracelet, and engraved winding rotor visible through the exhibition case back. Even the hands are made of gold, including the “007” counterweight on the seconds hand. Further still, the design of the display case for the watch was inspired by the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, a location central to the plot of the film.

Inside the special Aqua Terra beats an Omega Master Co-Axial caliber 8501. It is the only element of the watch devoid of gold, other than the rotating weight. It is a >15,000 Gauss watch, like the one we showed you here, and is built to chronometer spec. So there is a level of practicality retained, should the new owner decide to wear the watch daily.