89 replies to this topic

[Four Aces]

Are you a Brad or a James?

See the article. Go for the Rolex!

[sharpshooter]

I like the Rolex too, but like the Omega Seamaster. I think Fleming would chose Omega these days.

[JCRendle]

Are you a Brad or a James?

See the article. Go for the Rolex!

I'm a James - born and bred... I don't think that's the point of the question, ah well.

[Four Aces]

They are both good quality watches, but IMO an Omega is a wannabe Rolex

[FullMetalJacket]

I'm a Fossil.

[bill007]

Flemings' Bond likes items which have culture and taste, but never flashy. Thus, the steel-gray Aston Martin. So why not a stainless Rolex? James, of course.

[Professor Dent]

I purchased an Omega Seamaster (model 2531.80) a little over 7 years ago & have never regretted it. One of the interesting things I have found is that, at least in America, the name Omega means very little to most people whereas Rolex turns all heads. Everyone comments the Omega is a nice watch but you don't get the same reaction you do with a Rolex (which is fine by me). One interesting thing is that most people I meet who do comment on the watch really aren't Bond fans -- they just like nice watches.

[vicbond]

Well... I like my "Oh meega" Seamaster. I've wanted one for some time and the 007 version was finally a reason. I'm enjoynig it... So I guess I'm a "James."

[Four Aces]

Omega is a very good watch company. Timzone.com has an entire section devoted to it.

Mechanical watches are very popular in the US these days.

[Bryce (003)]

I do own the DAD Seamaster, but I truly adore my Rolex Submariner w/date. The Rolex has more stories to tell than the Omega but I do like both.

"Like Peking Duck is different from Russian caviar, but I love them both."

[Dr. Noah]

The advantage of the Omega in the US is it's less likely to get stolen. Stick a Rolex in a health club locker and it'll be gone in ten minutes.

Maybe that'll change now that Bond has verbally advertized "Oh-meega."

[jaguar007]

The one problem with a Rolex, is everyone who sees it on your wrist wonders if it is fake or not (as the fake ones are quite common).

I wear an Omega but have always been a fan on the Rolex Submarinier - however the Rolex (although much more expensive) is so common that almost everyone with any money wears one. I find the Omega a little more unique.

[thecasinoroyale]

Omega!

I got my Omega Seamaster for my 21st birthdya last year, and damn it's the pride of my James Bond collections really, costing enough by a well wanted gift. I've wanted it since about 1997 after seeing it in GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies.

A true 007 watch, the Omega.

As Vesper would say... 'beautiful'.

[Four Aces]

...but I truly adore my Rolex Submariner w/date...

Great minds think like mine

[1q2w3e4r]

I do own the DAD Seamaster, but I truly adore my Rolex Submariner w/date. The Rolex has more stories to tell than the Omega but I do like both.

"Like Peking Duck is different from Russian caviar, but I love them both."

I'd hardly call that accurate.

Omega, first watch worn on the moon. Flight qualified by NASA for all manned space missions, also used to time the critical burns that bought the doomed Apollo 13 mission safely back to earth. Omega has a great history and the Moonwatch is a classic example of this, hell it's got entire books devoted to it!

[Icephoenix]

I do own the DAD Seamaster, but I truly adore my Rolex Submariner w/date. The Rolex has more stories to tell than the Omega but I do like both.

"Like Peking Duck is different from Russian caviar, but I love them both."

I'd hardly call that accurate.

Omega, first watch worn on the moon. Flight qualified by NASA for all manned space missions, also used to time the critical burns that bought the doomed Apollo 13 mission safely back to earth. Omega has a great history and the Moonwatch is a classic example of this, hell it's got entire books devoted to it!

I think he meant it from a personal standpoint. HIS Rolex has been with him during many 'adventures', while the Omega was more recently bought.

[HildebrandRarity]

I thought about buying the Seamaster but my TAG-Hauer has stood by me through thick and thin for well over a decade.

Ayrton Senna's watch. RIP.

[DaveBond21]

Do you think the "Omega" line was one of the most obvious product placements in a Bond movie?

[FullMetalJacket]

Do you think the "Omega" line was one of the most obvious product placements in a Bond movie?

Ehh, not really. It seemed to fit into their conversation well enough; honestly, every time I saw the movie, that line never jumped out at me. And I don't think it's any worse than the scene in Goldeneye where Trevelyan compares his watch to Bond's ("Ah. New model.") and you can plainly see "Omega" on both of them.

[Vodka Martino]

I knew there'd be another watch related post here sooner or later. I thought the Omega product placement was a little too obvious, but it occurred to me by the film's end that there were no close-ups of the watch throughout the movie. No scenes of Bond rubbing his temples and wearily glancing at his watch; CUT TO: Close-up of Omega Seamaster Professional with Co-Axial Escapement.
My theory is that EoN said to Omega (or Swatch Group, rather): "We'll throw a line into the script about the watch, but we won't give it a close-up. Take it or leave it."
Notice also that Bond starts the film wearing an Omega Planet Ocean on a black rubber strap, but inexplicably switches to the blue-dialled Seamaster on bracelet for the card games.
Regarding the article that started this post, I like Rolex, but I can't justify the cost of a brand new one. They're a little pricey for what you get. However, a pre-1983/84 Submariner is something else, even though it will cost you as much as a new model. Around that time, Rolex made some design changes that I think ruined the watch. Hence my preference for the Omega Seamaster, the Bond version or the black-dialled model. The new Seamaster that DC wears in "Casino Royale" is expensive compared to the Brosnan model, but it's still a great value watch due to its excellent timekeeping.
My apologies if that sounded like a sales pitch.
I sell watches.
Just my 2c.

Vodka Martino


P.S.- I guess I'm a James...although the TAG Heuer Carrera that Brad Pitt advertised is a great watch becau-...there I go again.

[Four Aces]

[quote name='ms minniespinney' post='687608' date='15 January 2007 - 08:09']In the 60's the Rolex may have been the watch to wear but in the 21st century it appears to be largely worn by chavs and FWAGS, and it is adorned by many a summer med holidaymaker having bought the

Edited by Four Aces, 15 January 2007 - 09:54 PM.

[neversaynever]

Do you think the "Omega" line was one of the most obvious product placements in a Bond movie?

It was a bit jarring. Not just for being so blatant, but also because you have to question the wisdom of this piece of product placement. By essentially having Vesper say "I would have expected you to have a Rolex", they're really almost doing damage to the Omega brand! Bond's line is delivered in a way that seems to almost apologise for it not being a Rolex... sort of "Not quite a Rolex, but it's at least an Omega."

I am amazed Omega thought this was a good deal for them.

[Four Aces]

very good, 4 Aces but what does 'horological merit mean? I wouldn't know a fake Omega from a real Omega and vice versa and I suspect most bargain hunters are the same!! Which is why I would wear a fake rolex given the choice, together with my fake Burberyy shades and LV luggage. That said, I personally wear a casio. It does the job and works in the bath.

Say what?

But to the more serious part of your answer, the Casio is actually a good watch (as is Timex). A battery powered digital watch, has more functions than a Rolex or Omega, and keeps more accurate time.

Still, there are sound practical reasons for watches like Omega and Rolex. Any guesses out there? As an example, my new Rolex Submariner has replaced my everday watch, a Timex Expedition digital.

Oh, and the Rolex and the Omega will also work in the bath

[SecretAgent007]

Well, I have a few Rolex and Omega watches. I'll take the Omega over the Rolex any day. I'm not concerned about impressing someone because of the watch I wear. Although the Omega's are very impressive and classically elegant looking. As I have discussed in a previous thread, the bracelet and clasp on the Sub is no where near the quality of the Omega. The Omega keeps excellent time as well. And for my taste, doesn't look as cheap as a Rolex. Plus they are old technology. Name recognition is the only advantage they have over the Omega. Kind of like Boss speakers. They sell because of the name, but sound like sh_t.

Out of the 2 I think Fleming would have had Bond wear an Omega today, specifically the Planet Ocean. It is a huge and heavy watch. Perfect to slip over the knuckles and bash someone's face in.

[Four Aces]

... It is a huge and heavy watch. Perfect to slip over the knuckles and bash someone's face in.

Yikes! That won't be good for the sapphire crystal

But if you really want to read a slugfest on Rolex vs. Omega, check out timezone.com.

SecretAgent007, so how would answer question about the practical reasons for owning an Omega or a Rolex?

Edited by Four Aces, 16 January 2007 - 01:57 AM.

[1q2w3e4r]

It's a watch, or they both are. I've got a Seamaster Chronometer and a Speedmaster moonwatch on a leather bracelet. I wear one or the other every day, it's a time piece and as such should be used. If it can't take a battering and the general knock of everyday wear I wouldn't want to wear it. And if I wasn't comfortable with treating it as such, I wouldn't own it. A watch is there to be used and enjoyed in my opinion, not something to be dusted off to wear out as a "accessory"

[Vodka Martino]

Four Aces, when I'm faced with a customer who can't decide between the the Bond Omega Seamaster Automatic or the Quartz version, , I usually outline the pros and cons of each watch. Quartz are definitely more accurate and will be cheaper to service over the long run. Autos are less accurate (but not much less; the Bond Seamaster will lose up to 4 seconds or gain as much as 6 seconds per day, the Planet Ocean will lose or gain even less than that), cost more to service and require servicing a little more frequently. I own four Omega watches. One of them is a circa 1962 Seamaster. It runs about 1 minute slow per day, but a service should get that down to a more reasonable rate, since I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to time-keeping. However, the fact remains that it is a 44 year old watch and it's still keeping good time. A quartz watch will last up to 25-30 years (at the most) before it finally packs it in due to degradation of the movement. Some brands would hold parts for their watches for that amount of time, but it would be harder (and expensive) to source these parts 30 years from now.
I tell my customers that, if they can justify the extra cost of an automatic watch, then they should get an automatice because it can be handed down through the generations, it's a heirloom piece. A customer asked me yesterday; "What's wrong with a quartz watch?"
"It has no soul.", was my reply. Yeah, it was a little flowery, but I find it hard to justify $2000+ for what is essentially a battery-operated watch. A $75 Swatch will run as accurately as a quartz Omega Seamaster.
I don't know if that's the answer you were lokking for, Four Aces, but that's my take, based on what I've learned from selling watches for the last six years.

VM

[Four Aces]

VM,

Nice reply. Thanks for posting an answer to the question.

Any other takers?

[Bondfiend]

I'm a James. I love the looks and build of the Seamaster and feel Rolexs are just a little too "common" and old-fashioned.

[Four Aces]

Omegamania See the link. There is a scheduled visit for Los Angeles coming up soon. Even if you don't own an Omega, Omegamania may be of interest for those with horological and/or sartorial interests.

Cheers,

4A

Edited by Four Aces, 17 January 2007 - 01:30 AM.