zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

The only thing I've seen approximating any "official" word on Omega watches, Casino Royale, and Pierce Brosnan is the November 24 Stephen Urquhart quote running in The Hindu Business Line. It was almost an aside as part of a larger piece on an opening in that country.

Link to reference from my personal website is below.

To dovetail a bit w/ Mr. Rochowicz's comments, I can't believe Omega and the Bond producers would opt for a vintage watch -- even if Casino Royale were set as a period piece. Both parties are interested in the product placement value of the watch, and that means new watch sales. The very reason they switched from Rolex was due to a lack of such support.

Also remember that the opening sequence of GoldenEye was set 9 years before the 2541.80 Seamaster was released, yet that was the watch 006 and 007 each wore (on straps).

In terms of Ambassadors and studio contracts, that is a complicated question. I believe that Pierce Brosnan "sold" his image to be used in any way MGM/United Artist chose as Bond, including in conjunction w/ the "James Bond Choice" watch(es). Mr. Brosnan cut a separate deal to endorse additional Omega watches, beyond the 2531.80 SeMPC. The same will presumably be true of Daniel Craig.

My 2 cents won't be so much what James Bond will wear in Casino Royale, but what he will not wear. I don't think it will be the 2531.80 nor the 2541.80 (or mid-sized, if that's what his wrist calls for), primarily because it is so closely associated w/ Mr. Brosnan. Beyond that, I don't think it's conservative enough.

And, finally, Omega has a great opportunity to expand its sales to existing customers of the 2531.80 (or the quartz) owners who'll want "the" current Bond watch, as well as attracting new buyers in and of themselves.