Almost exactly a year ago I remember writing a segment in the print magazine about video game wristwatches. That’s because it had just been announced that a new James Bond game was on the horizon called 007 First Light, in which the digital Bond would be wearing a digital Omega wristwatch (digital as in art style not horologically). That news came at the same time as Hamilton’s Call of Duty tie in, hence it being something of a talking point at the time. Now that conversation re-emerges with the news that Omega has taken that wristwatch out of the digital world into the real with the creation of the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light.
The watch has been produced in partnership with the game’s developers IO Interactive – the team behind the Hitman series – in order to bring the watch to life as accurately as possible. For that reason, it’s the first Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph under the 007 label because the subdial display relates to gameplay in the video game (notably Omega only say the subdials are related and not the chronograph function specifically). It’s not just an accessory, it’s plot relevant, as any James Bond gadget should be.
Moving past the game connection to talk about the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light itself, it’s a 44mm giant in stainless steel with a black ceramic dive bezel insert and matching black ceramic dial. It has the classic Diver 300M wave pattern across its display adding to the nautical theme of a 300m water resistant dive watch. It also has the signature helium escape valve at 10 o’clock.
The chronograph complication is controlled by two sturdy looking ceramic pushers either side of the crown. They operate the central chronograph seconds hand and the joint 12-hour and 60-minute chronograph subdial in the bi-compax layout opposite the small seconds. That chronograph subdial has a golden scale, which adds a bright point of visual accenting to an otherwise dark dial. Conceptually, it feels like it could be the brass jacket of a bullet, which feels very James Bond, or it might represent the sun as a tie-in to the game’s name: First Light.
Powering the watch is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900, an automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve. It has been the staple Seamaster chronograph movement since it was introduced in 2016, a decade ago. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback where you can see its Côtes de Genève finishing in a radial spiral like the rifling of a gun barrel and the famous James Bond intro.
A final detail is that the watch is presented on a NATO strap, which has long been the preferred strap option of Mr Bond. It features a new pattern based on the strap worn in the game – it has also been confirmed that in the game you will be able to choose from a number of strap options so Omega has also produced six alternatives inspired by the game that will be available separately through their accessories collection.
For pricing, the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light is £7,900. I think what’s fun about this watch is that you don’t need to be a gamer in order to buy it. It’s James Bond themed chronograph, enough said. However, if you do enjoy a video game now and then, it will create an even closer attachment to the watch. However, I am still left with the same question I had when I discussed this topic a year ago, are video game tie-in watches cool? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Price and Specs:
More details at Omega.
