Back when IO’s James Bond adventure, 007 First Light, was first revealed, eagle-eyed watch enthusiasts immediately noticed the new Omega watch that this latest iteration of the MI6 spy was wearing. That watch wasn’t real then but now, on the eve of the game’s release, Omega has started selling the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light. And no, it’s not cheap.
This iteration of the existing Seamaster Diver Chronograph mirrors the contemporary version quite closely, but adds some places of bronze to the dial to set it apart and tie it to the color palette of the game. The ring around the hour and minutes sub-dial, as well as the seconds hand, are now coated in nine-karat bronze gold, which makes it stand out a lot more than the regular, monochromatic version. You’ll be able to see 007 First Light stamped on the sapphire crystal caseback, which showcases the watch’s beautiful movement. This edition doesn’t have a premium over the standard version, although given that this watch will still retail for $9,400, it’s not something all fans of First Light are likely going to bundle with their game purchase.
It’s also the first time Omega has released a Bond-specific watch that wasn’t first seen in a Bond film. James Bond has worn Omega since GoldenEye in 1995, replacing Rolex as the spy’s watch brand of choice. The last release came alongside Daniel Craig’s last Bond film, No Time To Die, with the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition. Without a new film on the horizon, or a replacement for Daniel Craig, having a new edition tied to the re-launch of James Bond in the video game space makes sense.
That’s especially so when you look at how many modern games have started collaborating closely with prestigious watch brands. Hamilton, which, like Omega, is owned by the Swiss watch giant Swatch, has released numerous watches to tie in with their appearances in games like Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Resident Evil Requiem, and Call of Duty Black Ops 7.