60th James Bond anniversary watch.

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Kmmdad57

·Mar 12, 2025

Was interested in the new 60th anniversary James Bond watch. Love the look, color and wave patterns. However I am questioning the bezel. How well do the aluminum insert hold up over time? Would the blue standard version be a better choice because of the ceramic insert? Some people say the new aluminum is very scratch resistant and less likely to fade compared to older aluminum bezels. What is everyone's thoughts on this?

 

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LC23

·Mar 12, 2025

I have the current regular diver 300 and also had the 60th Bond anniversary for a while. The aluminium bezel is more likely to get scratched than the ceramic but I had no issues with mine. The question you may want to ask is whether you can get a comfortable fit on the Bond mesh bracelet.

 

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The Signalman

·Mar 12, 2025

The bezel is more likely to get scratched than a ceramic bezel - that's true - but it is a oxalic anodized aluminium coating which is actually very scratch resistant, more so than previous bezels.

I also like ithe fact that the bezel is matt rather than polished. As for the bracelet - I personally find a well-made mesh bracelet to be very comfortable indeed; but I do recommend, as with any watch, trying it on in the boutique for 15 minutes to half an hour so just to make sure.

 

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Donn Chambers

·Mar 12, 2025

I’ve owned the Seamaster 300 Heritage with the aluminum bezel for nearly 4 years now and it has no scratches on it. I prefer the matte finish of these new anodized bezels over the shiny ceramic ones. Buy the one you like - don’t ignore the aluminum bezels out of a fear of getting it scratched.

 

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502 to right

·Mar 12, 2025

It's the same type of bezel used on the No Time To Die Seamaster. I've not seen scratched up used examples of that model in the wild. I think they've done a very nice job of scratch proofing them. And if worse comes to worse, they are much cheaper to replace than ceramic versions. I would suggest combing Chrono24 and eBay to see if you find any pre-owned NTTD SMP's with scratched up bezels.

I also think ceramic bezels are overrated. They are too shiny and, unlike aluminum, can crack or shatter from a blow. And then replacement is really, really expensive.

 

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PandaSPUR

·Mar 12, 2025

I've managed to scratch the steel part of the bezel (counterclockwise from the 10) but the aluminum insert remains flawless:

On the other hand, I've managed to put a ding in the ceramic bezel of my UD (between the 7 and 8 minute marks):

Soo just get whatever you like better.

 

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ErichPryde

·Mar 12, 2025·Seamasters Forever

PandaSPUR

I've managed to scratch the steel part of the bezel (counterclockwise from the 10) but the aluminum insert remains flawless:

On the other hand, I've managed to put a ding in the ceramic bezel of my UD (between the 7 and 8 minute marks):

Soo just get whatever you like better.

that top picture is.... wow.

 

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PandaSPUR

·Mar 12, 2025

ErichPryde

that top picture is.... wow.

😁 one of my favorite pics of this watch. The watch is really beautiful in all sorts of random lighting. This was just me standing outside my office building

Full pic:

 

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ErichPryde

·Mar 12, 2025·Seamasters Forever

PandaSPUR

😁 one of my favorite pics of this watch. The watch is really beautiful in all sorts of random lighting. This was just me standing outside my office building

Full pic:

We need a drooling emoji.

 

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Kmmdad57

·Mar 12, 2025

L LC23

I have the current regular diver 300 and also had the 60th Bond anniversary for a while. The aluminium bezel is more likely to get scratched than the ceramic but I had no issues with mine. The question you may want to ask is whether you can get a comfortable fit on the Bond mesh bracelet.

I never thought about that. Is that a problem?

 

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ErichPryde

·Mar 12, 2025·Seamasters Forever

Kmmdad57

I never thought about that. Is that a problem?

If you want something to complain about that most will agree with you about, this is the one.

 

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502 to right

·Mar 12, 2025

Kmmdad57

I never thought about that. Is that a problem?

What is your wrist size? There are certain sizes that don't do well with the mesh bracelet. My wrist is 6.9 inches and I find it very comfortable.

But keep in mind the standard Seamaster bracelet will fit as well. Although it is pricey.

 

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10mmauto

·Mar 13, 2025

Or just get rid of the mesh altogether!

 

L

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LC23

·Mar 13, 2025

Kmmdad57

I never thought about that. Is that a problem?

Depends on your wrist size. There are 3 lengths of bracelet and then you need to get a bit lucky in terms of where the holes are.

 

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bsowers34

·Mar 13, 2025

Kmmdad57

I never thought about that. Is that a problem?

I sold my NTTD because the mesh just did not work for me, and I hate straps.

 

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Kmmdad57

·Mar 14, 2025

502 to right

What is your wrist size? There are certain sizes that don't do well with the mesh bracelet. My wrist is 6.9 inches and I find it very comfortable.

But keep in mind the standard Seamaster bracelet will fit as well. Although it is pricey.

My wrist is 7.6 inches. does that work with mesh?

 

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Kmmdad57

·Mar 14, 2025

L LC23

Depends on your wrist size. There are 3 lengths of bracelet and then you need to get a bit lucky in terms of where the holes are.

I'm a 7.6 inch wrist

 

E

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eldiano84

·Mar 14, 2025

Funnily enough My SMp300 ceramic has gotten scratched, with visible marks, the bond 60th’s bezel still looks like new but the steel is scratched on a few parts. I always wondered how they got the luminova to work that way.

 

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zkramez

·Mar 16, 2025

such a great watch. I would love to pick one up one of these days

 

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Kmmdad57

·Mar 16, 2025

What are the people's thoughts on the grey with titanium bezel and no date? Is that bezel scratch resistant? What does that watch look like in real life?