Only a few days ago, Omega announced a new limited edition James Bond Aqua Terra to coincide with the 24th OO7 film, SPECTRE. I’m a crazed Bond fan, so there’s no doubt I’m pumped for the new movie, however, not so much for the inevitable branded watch. As expected, the new release just doesn’t cut it for me. That’s okay, though, because I’m going to help Omega get ahead of the 25th Bond movie, and give some advice on how to fix the next Bond watch.
The Skyfall Planet Ocean with an excellent textured dial. Note the obvious branding at 7:00
Of all the Omega Bond watches, the SPECTRE Aqua Terra is the second most acceptable, after the Skyfall Planet Ocean (the rest are almost undesirable to watch nerds). Aside from the “OO7” at the 7:00 position, the Skyfall had no other visible branding, and the dial texture is something Omega should consider adopting for the rest of the PO line. The SPECTRE’s theme goes hard at Bond’s family coat-of-arms, using it on the second hand and as the dial texture. I get it. In fact, I actually like the train of thought. If there’s anything that annoys me about the Bond world, it’s the ridiculous fan theory that James Bond is a cover identity, and the actual person changes.
Here’s a closeup of the dial texture and second hand of the SPECTRE Aqua Terra
Anyhow, despite the “good thought”, the execution isn’t right. The coat-of-arms dial texture looks like the surface of a rubber dodgeball, and the second hand looks silly. Pulling the kitschy appearance together is the blue and yellow color combination. Actually, that might be the reason why the design doesn’t work for me as a whole. If the colors were more subdued, I might be singing a different tune. I realize those are the colors on the Bond crest, but a more muted yellow, even leaning towards a dull bronze might have worked better.
Regardless of whether or not folks like this design, James Bond wouldn’t wear it. This is the problem with ALL of the limited edition Bond watches. Bond needs something that’s classy but not flashy, and tough but not oversized. And he obviously isn’t going to wear anything with “OO7” on the dial. Before any of you claim, “he wouldn’t wear a mechanical watch anyway! That’s not practical!” Indeed. But who cares? Let’s have some fun here. The point is, Omega should be releasing basically the same watch Bond wears in the film, with the exception of maybe a limited edition number on the rear bezel, and a “OO7” stencil on the sapphire caseback.
Okay, okay, this probably won’t sell a ton of watches. However, I have a solution. Omega should make an “issued” watch for Bond to wear in the movie, and then do a limited run for us mere civilians. Take a regular old 38.5mm Aqua Terra, add a matte, British racing green dial, Ministry of Defence (MoD) sword hands, brushed bracelet, and a solid caseback stamped with an MoD stock number. The stock number can include “OO7”, as well as the “XXX out of XXX” limited edition numbering. That way, Omega can still stick that branding on there. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think it would sell like hotcakes. Hell, I want one now that I’ve written it all out.
What do you all think of my solution?
by 
Ian
I think it’s absolutely scandalous how much obviously better your idea is than the stuff Omega has done.
Shane Griffin
Ha! Thanks, Ian. Well, if Omega ends up going with this idea, I at least want a free watch as compensation.
Chris
Totally agree. I’d love that Bond Omega. This garish AT, though, not so much.
CC Cirillo
As a rule, I don’t like anything with an obvious media tie in. Bad things happen when the Cunning Young Hipsters down in Marketing get to have a say in Design. Your idea has a lot of sophistication, though, in a sly and fun way. My personal Bond watch is real covert, an SKX007 J edition on black nato. When I’m Infiltrating in Potentially Hostile, I switch the day wheel from English to Arabic. Can’t do that on an Omega. Also if I’m uncovered and it’s taken from me, I wouldn’t cry. Can’t do that with an Omega either.