My personal preference at this
point is the De Ville.
It's certainly in keeping with the
Casino Royale settings in the Ian Fleming book. And a "James Bond in
the early days" can get away with this, a timepiece that lacks the
technical sophistication he'll require in a dive watch (eg, less
substantial water resistance, no timing bezel) — let alone Q-Branch
modifications, a'la helium release valve-cum-gadget port.
Further, the fact that it looks so
different from the watches worn by Mr. Brosnan, yet is familiar
vis-à-vis the Rolex watches worn by Sean Connery throughout the 1960s,
adds a helpful visual cue to what the producers seem to be after.
Without a doubt, it's the best
marketing move for Omega.
They still have the new buyers
interested in a
now-decade-old Bond style of the last four films; they attract
the more buttoned-down types who wouldn't buy the MSRP $1995.00
Seamaster 2531.80, dismissing it as too informal for their corporate
office attire; and best of all, Omega is guaranteed to additionally
sell these watches to die-hard 007 fans who already own the Pierce
Brosnan-era issues.
Of the three, however — and
being somewhat
studied on
this subject — I have to say that the most authentic choice for
a navy commander Bond now extending his service to MI6, is the Planet
Ocean. Better diver functions, imminently more readable than the 2531.80
series, and beefy enough for Q-Branch when it's ready again to modify
James Bond's 007 field watch.
