Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Daniel Craig’s James Bond Omega Seamaster Up For Auction


The Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition. The same watch worn by Daniel Craig in the Bond movie, Spectre will be sold at Christie's

By Gretchen Friedrich, Jewelry News Network’s social media manager 

Christie’s London is celebrating the release of the movie, Spectre, the latest installment in the James Bond series, on DVD and Blu-Ray by doing what it does best, holding an auction. Proceeds from the February 18 sale will benefit several charitable organizations. 

Items from the Spectre auction at Christie's London King Street location include an Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition, one of eight watches worn by James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, throughout the film. 

The Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition in case, photographed at Shreve, Crump & Low

Owning this Seamaster 300 is extraordinary for several reasons. In addition to gracing the wrist of an international movie star, the Seamaster 300 is an exceptional timepiece, even without the Hollywood provenance. 

Omega produced only 7,007 Seamaster 300s, the first Bond watch with a limited production. “This piece is completely sold out worldwide, making it more difficult to obtain,” said Brian Walker, marketing VP for Shreve, Crump & Low

The Boston jeweler is one of a select group of exclusive boutiques to carry the Omega watch line. 

Walker adds that the second hand on the dial is a retrospective of the 1950s Seamaster design, one that resembles a lollipop. Other retro features are the NATO strap and the casing, which are similar to the watch worn by the original James Bond, Sean Connery. The strap holder on the bracelet reinforces the spy theme with a "007" engraving. 

The box for the Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition, photographed at Shreve, Crump & Low

The classic features house modern technological mechanisms, with a Co-Axial escapement that increases precision and durability. Plus, it's resistant to magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss, as well as water depths up to 1,000 feet. 

The presentation box is very Bond-esque as well with a combination lock securing the precious timepiece. Even Q would be proud to wear one with this kind of hardware. 

Christie's estimates the watch will sell for £15,000-20,000 ($21,000-$28,000). The Seamaster 300 Bond edition originally sold, directly from Omega, for $7,500. 

The live auction at the London showroom is limited to invitation-only guests. Interested parties can bid on the Seamaster 300, and the other Bond-related items (such as the Aston Martin DB10, designed specifically for the movie) online on Christie's website, and by phone. 

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