The third James Bond 007 Omega: His Planet Ocean 2900.50.91 wristwatch - review
Written: Dec 27 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Classic styling, readability; formidable presentation. Expected to have longer mechanism life.
Cons: Anti-reflective coating on the outside of the crystal will scratch.
The Bottom Line: This watch defines James Bond for a new generation, much as the Submariner did for the 007 franchise in the 1960s. We'll be talking about it 40 years from now.
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| dell_deaton's Full Review: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 2900.50.91 Wrist Watc... |
When Agent 007 returned in Casino Royale for 2006, we had a new James Bond in actor Daniel Craig. And a whole new Omega watch in what its manufacturer officially labels the Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size 2900.50.91 model.
As the owner of four leading (and quite varied) watch brands featured in the Bond films, let me start by saying that the Planet Ocean is without peer the most immediately readable. Any lighting condition. This piece has a strong, uncluttered dial; yet it's far from plain. Its anti-reflective coating on the outside as well as the inside of the crystal, provides a variable iridescent blue glow as lighting conditions change (but never inhibits your reading of the time).
Subtle class!
Omega cites design cues that recall those "of the first-ever Seamaster 300-meter models, which were launched in 1957." That was the same year the novel From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming was published, of course.
Among contemporary James Bond watches, the Omega 29005091 is further distinguished as the first to come from the OEM on a strap. (The 2541.80 Seamaster featured on a dark band in early GoldenEye scenes was an aftermarket change.) On rubber now throughout its appearance in Casino Royale, the Planet Ocean strap is what makes this watch a great fit for men with wrists on which even the 2531.80 Seamasters might have felt a tad large. A nicely comfortable fit, in fact.
The key is in engineering a Planet Ocean rubber strap that is both appropriately scaled and fitted to the piece in a way that draws the case more gracefully to the wrist. Now, if you're used to wearing your watch on a bracelet, this may take a little getting used to: The watch tends to stay where you put it. The caseback design may be something you'll feel in wear; and, with less pronounced guards along side the winding and setting crown, you may experience some scratching on the knuckle-side of your wrist.
But is it a Double-0 watch?
I actually broke the story of James Bond wearing a Planet Ocean with first images of this watch on the Internet. Others then speculated that James Bond would start out with the Planet Ocean, then go to the Brosnan-style Seamaster as part of "earning" his "007." Not true. As you look at Casino Royale, notice that actor Daniel Craig is wearing the Omega 2900.50.91 in his pre-007 flashbacks and during his "second kill," and then in his post-promotion scenes with "M" - even through his first spin around the block in the iconic Aston Martin DB-5.
As an aficionado, it leaves one with the impression that this watch truly is the "James Bond Choice." Perhaps more so than any other. I mean, he chose this one, as opposed to Q getting inferred deference.
Watches in this film play key roles in advancing plot in Casino Royale: The Planet Ocean is a strong contrast between who the character was, and how he saw himself, early on, compared to the Seamaster reference 2220.80 change necessitated by his cover for the mission at Montenegro.
James Bond has chosen a rugged performance watch here. This one features the proprietary Omega co-axial escapement ("but of course"). The mechanism is COSC certified. Omega SA first announced its Planet Ocean series in early February 2005, and the co-ax movement has been in the field even longer than that; so this is a relatively established timepiece.
I for one am hoping we see it return with Daniel Craig in future James Bond 007 films!
Respectfully submitted for your consideration,
Dell Deaton
All of my Reviews related to wristwatches
Omega Seamaster 2254.50 automatic chronometer (black dial, black bezel diver's watch, Omega SA reference 22545000)
Omega Seamaster 2531.80 automatic chronometer (second watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 25318000)
Omega Seamaster 2541.80 quartz (first watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 25418000)
Omega Seamaster 2561.80 quartz (mid-sized version of first watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 25618000)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dell_deaton
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Member: Dell Deaton
Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Expert on James Bond watches, Ian Fleming to film versions.
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