Quick Take
As you're almost certainly aware by now, 1969 was a year of great significance, both culturally and horologically. Horologically speaking, it was of course the year that the Omega Speedmaster Professional was first worn on the lunar surface, but it was also the year that no fewer than three of the very first automatic chronograph movements were made and as well, it was the year that the very first quartz wristwatch became commercially available, from Seiko, marking both the end, and the beginning, of a new era in watchmaking.
For another cultural icon of the 1960s it was a year of transition as well. Sean Connery had stepped away from the role of James Bond after completing You Only Live Twice, and the character was played for the first, and last time, by George Lazenby. The film opened to rather mixed reviews. The Daily Mirror critic opined, "He [Lazenby] looks uncomfortably in the part like a size four foot in a size ten gumboot." Detractors criticized Lazenby's reserved portrayal of Bond, and in other respects, On Her Majesty's Secret Service also marked a departure from some of the whimsy and gadgetry of the earlier Bond films. In the subsequent decades, however, the film has achieved, if not universal praise from Bond fans, at least some degree of respect for exactly those aspects of its plot which its early detractors disliked, including a genuine love story, a rarity in Bond films (and in this case one with a tragic ending).
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 50th Anniversary Of OHMSS replica watch has a number of call-outs to the film, one of which is rather unusual. The dial depicts the view-down-the-rifled-barrel-of-a-firearm which opens the credit sequence of James Bond movies, and the number 7 on the date ring uses the same typeface as that of the number in the famous 007 logo. At night, there's a "secret signature" on the 10:00 lume plot, where the number 50 appears inside the lume circle. The most interesting feature for hardcore Bond fans, however, will be the 12:00 marker, which is a stylized representation of the coat-of-arms of the Bond family, as seen in the film.
In every other respect, this is a standard-issue Seamaster 300M, with a co-axial escapement, 300 meters water resistance, a helium escape valve, and Master Chronometer certification.
Initial Thoughts
The coat-of-arms of the Bond family in the film is taken from one of several real life Bond family coats-of-arms, which at its simplest can be described, in heraldic language, as "Argent, on a chevron sable, three bezants," or, more or less, "Silver, on a black chevron, three gold coins." For the film designers added a helmet over the shield, as well as a red hand in the upper left corner, signifying a baronet (which is anachronistic for Bond, who is not a baronet) and the motto, "Orbis Non Sufficit," or "The World Is Not Enough," which is of course the title of a later Bond film.
With the James Bond franchise showing no signs whatsoever of slowing down, this limited edition of 7,007 pieces is probably most attractive to dyed-in-the-wool Bond fans who'll find the inclusion of insider details like the coat-of-arms appealing although, taken on its own, it is a rather handsome watch in any case, with the gold hands and surrounds for the lume plots glowing appealingly against the dark dial. The watch is available immediately, and in what is an interesting year in terms of the relationship of the James Bond franchise to On Her Majesty's Secret Service – just as in 1969, 2019 is something of a transitional year for the Bond films as well, as long-time fan and critical favorite Daniel Craig will be stepping down from the role upon completion of the currently filming No Time To Die.
The Basics
Brand: Omega
Model: Seamaster 300M For The 50th Anniversary Of On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Diameter: 42mm
Case Material: stainless steel, 18k gold numbered plate on the case flank
Dial Color: black with gun-barrel pattern
Indexes: applied, 18k yellow gold with 18k yellow gold hands
Lume: indexes and hands; secret "50" at 10:00
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Strap/Bracelet: rubber strap
The Movement
Caliber: Omega caliber 8800
Functions: hours, minutes, center seconds with date
Diameter: 26mm
Power Reserve: 55 hours
Winding: automatic or manual
Frequency: 25,200 vph
Jewels: 35
Chronometer Certified: yes; Master Chronometer/COSC
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