Bond.. Asking for a friend...

Foo2rama · Jul 30, 2017

Ok folks need some help here.

Turns out a good friend of mine is a big Bond fan and wants to pick up a Bond watch. He has already dismissed the new Commander, and likes the Spectre but at 8-10k on the used market it a little more then he wants to spend.

We have had the LE vs worn discussion and I think I have converted him to the worn side of things. But he keeps sending my links to fake LE's

Using this as a base I have narrowed it down to 2 I think are good choices.
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/cinema/james-bond/

The 42mm 2500 Planet Ocean black dial white numbers as worn in Quantum of Solace
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/seamaster/planet-ocean/22015000/

And the 2500 SMP 41m Blue wave dial worn in Casino Royal
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/seamaster/diver-300-m/co-axial-41-mm/22208000/

I think the 42m 2500 PO is a future classic and a heck of a watch, much better choice then the 8500 worn later and the 45.5mm 2500 worn in Casino Royal. I also think of all the SMP's worn that is most likely the best choice but I may be wrong here.

Is there a better Bond worn watch then those? Anyone have any other ideas? Is there a decent LE out there?

Thanks @Lou P

Jrcigar · Jul 30, 2017

Unless it has to be strictly Bond, seeing as how he likes the Spectre, SM300? Lol of course I'm biased

pianomankd · Jul 30, 2017

Commander's Watch, Yellow Gold 2017 LE /7.

Just Livin · Jul 30, 2017

As an alternate to the above. Rolex 5513 Sub no date. Late 80's to soften the blow on budget? A vintage classic for Bond Fans?

nurseford25 · Jul 30, 2017

The PO 2500 42mm is probably the best choice and it will be a future classic. I personally preferred the PO 8500 but that is a personal preference. I also love all of the SMP models that were worn and I picked up a 2531 because it is also a classic in my opinion. The only acceptable LE in my opinion is the Spectre. If he is not stuck on a dive watch what about a skyfall aqua terra? That is sure to be a classic as well and can be worn on a plethora of different occasions.

Foo2rama · Jul 30, 2017

Just Livin
As an alternate to the above. Rolex 5513 Sub no date. Late 80's to soften the blow on budget? A vintage classic for Bond Fans?

Should have noted he has a 5513 circa 1980.

Foo2rama · Jul 30, 2017

nurseford25
The PO 2500 42mm is probably the best choice and it will be a future classic. I personally preferred the PO 8500 but that is a personal preference. I also love all of the SMP models that were worn and I picked up a 2531 because it is also a classic in my opinion. The only acceptable LE in my opinion is the Spectre. If he is not stuck on a dive watch what about a skyfall aqua terra? That is sure to be a classic as well and can be worn on a plethora of different occasions.

I agree the 8500 has the better dial. It's just the case height that turns me off on the 2nd generation.

wilfreb · Jul 30, 2017

I'll go SMP any day, it's the original Omega Bond watch

Foo2rama · Jul 30, 2017

wilfreb
I'll go SMP any day, it's the original Omega Bond watch

Alas the SMPc was never worn in a film.

wilfreb · Jul 30, 2017

Foo2rama
Alas the SMPc was never worn in a film.

It's the same core design, just the 2017 version with all the improvements that means.

Baz9614 · Jul 30, 2017

I have to agree with the 2500 PO! I have one as my summer do everything watch, and it's been great!

nurseford25 · Jul 30, 2017

Foo2rama
I agree the 8500 has the better dial. It's just the case height that turns me off on the 2nd generation.

I know, the thickness is my only complaint about this watch. Its funny though I only notice it after I've been wearing one of my other watches for a few days. If it only came in the same height as the 2500 it would be the perfect watch to me. Despite the height though it is still my favorite.

Lou P · Jul 30, 2017

Glad my Bond LE arrangement can be of help. I have the "worn" Omega arrangement was well, although I'm not 100% sure the SPECTRE AT correct..

I tend to agree with you the 42mm 2500 PO is great. The blue ATs have their own charm, imo. To 2531.80 checks the boxes for 3 movies and being pre-co-axial, may have easier/less expensive service costs down the road.

Of the LEs, the Rifle Dial has a unique charm. imo. If you can handle the 45.5mm size, the QOS gun grip dial is quite nice too, except I would have to change out the crystal to a standard one. The laser etched Quantum of Solace on the inside of that crystal looks like a smudge that I constantly feel the need to wipe off.

N1CK · Jul 30, 2017

For me, he should be getting a Rolex. He has a choice: Fleming wore an Explorer, while Bond in the films typically wore a submariner (until the commercial tie-ins started in the Brosnan-era with the move to BMW, Omega, Heineken, and VW Beetles seemingly with D Craig in Skyfall). Believe a Rolex GMT has also been worn by Bond in the films before now.

Is Bonds true car a BMW? No, it's an Aston (or a blower Bentley in the original books). Is Bond's true watch am Omega? No, it's a Rolex.

ConElPueblo · Jul 30, 2017

wilfreb
It's the same core design, just the 2017 version with all the improvements that means.

The increased height is a major drawback, IMO, and only compensated by cosmetic "improvements".

Of the models @Foo2rama mentions in the original post, I like the ordinary blue SMP the best. The AT "Skyfall" is very, very nice too.

watchstuff · Jul 30, 2017

I disagree with the word "true". Originally, it was a Rolex. Now it's Omega. His car was a BMW in 3 films. We had the books, now we have the films. It moves on.

I'd go for the SM300MC, personally not the Spectre edition - though that's a bit of a caveat considering the context. I love Bond, but didn't fancy having the branding on it. I am not against it and one day could be tempted, but when I got my SM300MC it could've been my only Omega ever, so didn't want that branded up.

For a LE... I'd go with the Quantum of Solace for that dial! Or, indeed, the Spectre.

wilfreb · Jul 30, 2017

ConElPueblo
The increased height is a major drawback, IMO, and only compensated by cosmetic "improvements".

Of the models @Foo2rama mentions in the original post, I like the ordinary blue SMP the best. The AT "Skyfall" is very, very nice too.

The ceramic bezel alone is enough reason for the update, is just gorgeous, but you have to hold it in your hands to understand what I mean

wilfreb · Jul 30, 2017

watchstuff
I disagree with the word "true". Originally, it was a Rolex. Now it's Omega. His car was a BMW in 3 films. We had the books, now we have the films. It moves on.

I'd go for the SM300MC, personally not the Spectre edition - though that's a bit of a caveat considering the context. I love Bond, but didn't fancy having the branding on it. I am not against it and one day could be tempted, but when I got my SM300MC it could've been my only Omega ever, so didn't want that branded up.

For a LE... I'd go with the Quantum of Solace for that dial! Or, indeed, the Spectre.

Read.

I said "I'll go SMP any day, it's the original Omega Bond watch"

Notice the word Omega.

Foo2rama · Jul 30, 2017

@Lou P thabks for both graphics! Makes it a lot easier for him.

watchstuff · Jul 30, 2017

wilfreb
Read.

I said "I'll go SMP any day, it's the original Omega Bond watch"

Notice the word Omega.

Read.

Someone else said "true". Keep up.

Bond.. Asking for a friend...

Foo2rama

Jrcigar

pianomankd

Just Livin

nurseford25

Foo2rama

Foo2rama

wilfreb

Foo2rama

wilfreb

Baz9614

nurseford25

Lou P

N1CK

ConElPueblo

watchstuff

wilfreb

wilfreb

Foo2rama

watchstuff

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