James Bond 'branded' watches - tacky?

[Vampire]

I was wondering what the concencus is on James Bond 'branded' watches?

Are they considered neat/cool/collectable, or are they more a marketing gimmick not to be taken seriously?

I quite like this one http://www.omega.ch/index.php?id=931&de ... no_cache=1 , but suspect the novelty of having 007 on the second hand, and the Casino Royale logo on the back might wear off fairly quickly.

If I was going for a PO or Seamaster, is it best to go for the standard non 'branded' version?

[VinceR]

I like them to look at, but not on my wrist.

[Bjorn]

Omega are experts in making limited edition versions. There seem to be thousands of special versions of the Speedmaster Pro for instance (I might be exagerating sligthly ;) ).

Buy one if you like the model, but don't expect to get much extra, if anything, compared to the standard version when you sell it.

[quoll]

Tacky, in my opinion.

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Not for me - think the link & genre is naff & a cheap marketing shot that they do not need to do IMO

[Glamdring]

I'm not much taken with any individually-branded watches. Smacks too much of vainglory, though my Jamers Marsters saucepan works well...

[Seamaster73]

Those special edition Bond watches always put me in mind of the Octopussy watch I got at the age of eight by collecting the tokens off Smiths crisps. That one played a monophonic approximation of the Bond theme as the alarm. Perhaps if Omega did a special edition X-33 that did that, I might be interested. :roll:

[El stovey]

I think they're a bit tacky really.

[spogehead]

I don't like them at all and of course they are not the acutal watches worn in the film's

When I bought my 45 PO the CR LE was not an option especially as when the
second hand hits 9 o'clock it says 'LOO ' on the dial!! :D

[rapidboy]

I think your all being way too nice, they are vile and lower the tone for the entire brand IMO.

[John Vargas]

I an not a fan.

[Orange Peel]

I agree, very tacky and they "cheapen" and "Chav" up the watch IMHO.
Not my cup of tea but it's horses for courses I suppose.


OP.

[genesos]

Also agree tacky, puts me off Omega

[Scottishtrunkmonkey]

Wouldn't buy one or wear it if it was a gift, bit tacky

[andrew]

I was wondering what the concencus is on James Bond 'branded' watches?

Tacky IMHO - the watches in the film are supposed to be the standard production ones, so I've never understood the point of sprinkling them with self-referential Bond-ness. Marketing is different (read: more shameless) these days, but even so I don't recall Rolex making a "James Bond's Choice (tm)" Submariner in the '70s ;)

If I was going for a PO or Seamaster, is it best to go for the standard non 'branded' version?

Always. If there's a modern "Bond" watch, it's a regular, unadorned Seamaster.

[Ari]

Buy one if you like the model, but don't expect to get much extra, if anything, compared to the standard version when you sell it.

Actually the first 007 branded Seamaster Professional sells second-hand for about double what the standard watch fetches, despite costing about the same new.

[doug darter]

Not necessarily tacky, but for me undesireable.

They are like the 'Dirk Pitt' Doxas. I don't object at all to having the name of a real sportsman or inspirational individual celebrated on the dial of a watch, but fictitious characters leave me cold.

[Rinaldo1711]

I think your all being way too nice, they are vile and lower the tone for the entire brand IMO.

Harsh....but true.

[Nalu]

played a monophonic approximation of the Bond theme as the alarm

I think this is the theme song in the seventh circle of WIS hell.

Agree with most of the previous posters: :tongue6:

[jounetsu]

100% Tack imho

[jk103]

I don't really care for the design I'm sure if they tried harder they could incorporate a more subtle feature. Maybe even a Bond gadget.

[Galea]

I would not wear such a watch myself.

[Iceman]

I would feel daft wearing one in public! 'Tacky'

[Vampire]

Pretty conclusive then. :)

Whenever I've seen one I've always thought "ooh that's quite neat", but I guess I'd agree with the majority, I'd be very hesitant to actually buy one to wear.

I quite like the Planet Ocean (non-JB branded version), but IMO it looks weird with a mixture of solid marks and numbers at the hour markers - if it had solid markers like a Seamaster then I'd be 100% sold on it.

[magirus]

I think your all being way too nice, they are vile and lower the tone for the entire brand IMO.

Harsh....but true.

..............very, very true.

[trymmo]

Another 10.000 production "limited edition" from Omega - will never be annything special as everyone that wants it can have one in any Omega shop around. :(
Trym

[sbadger]

tacky IMHO , i think it devalues the brand.

[ralphy]

Not for me.

R

[GIB984]

If I was going for a PO or Seamaster, is it best to go for the standard non 'branded' version?

I would say so, but then I don't go for the gimmicks :D

[thenikjones]

Tacky - I'd expect to be wearing a £2,000 watch for a good few years, and whatever novelty there may be to start with, will have worn off LONGGG before that.

[andy tims]

Anyone got a strong sense of Deja Vu?
:wink:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42553

[mark a.]

Anyone got a strong sense of Deja Vu?
:wink:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42553

:D

Who'd want a branded watch? I mean, look at that IWC St Exupéry or that Cousteau diver. Oh, wait...

I suppose it comes down to perception of the associated person or brand. James Bond is cool, but I wouldn't have a Bond Omega - although I don't think I could properly explain why. Maybe just because it's a big commercial made-up thing, unlike Cousteau. But then watches linked with AMG, Aston Martin, Bentley etc are essentially big commercial made-up things and some of them aren't too bad.

[lysanderxiii]

A Bond branded watch should have a Bond gaget or two incorporated in it, a monofilament in the crown, a buzz-saw bezel...

[fivelittlefish]

I understand how "brand advocates" work - but there's always the risk that the chosen advocate does not resonate with the potential purchaser. The company I work for has a new ad campaign based on advocacy.

However, I don't understand how a fictional character can be an advocate - despite this, it obviously works for Omega, I don't believe they would continue with the watches if they didn't sell.

Personally, I prefer the non-Bond anyway and not having the 007 stuff all over it is a bonus.

[jd]

I don't think there's a single special-branded watch that I prefer over the non-branded version. I wouldn't turn down a Cousteau or AMG IWC, but I'd rather have a plain one.

[mikec]

Hang guys, do we need to be so negative.

Does this watch not have a built in Laser that can slice through steel and glass. I think there is also an option of a miniature grappling hook. Now for you tool watch junkies, that sounds pretty useful to me 8)

Mike C

[Vampire]

Anyone got a strong sense of Deja Vu?
:wink:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42553

Argh, apologies for that - I should have done a search on this topic first.

[Luso]

Any feature irrelevant to the watch function (time reading) is tacky and - obviously - superficial. I dare say "feminine".

[Tinker]

It's a self-answering question, isn't it? Insofar as, if you like your watch Bond-branded, it's not tacky, but if you don't, it is.

[Ian99]

Any feature irrelevant to the watch function (time reading) is tacky and - obviously - superficial. I dare say "feminine".

:shock: this is a pretty broad sweeping strange statement really, personally like it or not I'd say any of the Bond watches are far from feminine :roll:

[Luso]

Any feature irrelevant to the watch function (time reading) is tacky and - obviously - superficial. I dare say "feminine".

:shock: this is a pretty broad sweeping strange statement really, personally like it or not I'd say any of the Bond watches are far from feminine :roll:

I am known for my "pretty broad sweeping strange statements". :D :wink:
Even so - and all things considered - to purchase an expensive watch chosen because of that "007" signals that the wearer might be superficial, noveau-riche , childish and shows a lack of aesthetic sense (please see aesthetics definition: it is not "taste".http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics).

I would certainly buy one of those PO if the price was nice, but I also would change that seconds hand - heck, all those hands - for those of a 2254.50!

Please feel free to wear what you wish. However, that does not mean that other folks will see it as you do.

[ewan.w]

Hi all

My advice in oredr 'to test the waters' of wearing something along the lines of the Bond branded Omega would be to pop to Woolies and I think they are giving away Indiana Jones watches if you spend a tenner on Indiana Jones stuff :D :D

Cheers

Ewan

[Timw]

Branding a watch or any other high end or specialist product is a tool that marketing people use.
It provides a 'bridge' into a product or range, more people have heard of Bond than Omega.

I dont find it tacky or even look at a person and think they may be superficial, noveau-riche , childish and showing a lack of aesthetic sense.
I just see another marketing tool that enables non specialist consumers a path into a market they may not otherwise take.

T

[Seamaster73]

It's a good point well made, Tim.

Those, like ourselves, who are into watches, are not the target market for these models. They're pitched at those who are into brands. With a Bond Omega, they get two brands for the price of one. Simple as that.

[Timw]

It's a good point well made, Tim.

Those, like ourselves, who are into watches, are not the target market for these models. They're pitched at those who are into brands. With a Bond Omega, they get two brands for the price of one. Simple as that.

Bingo! 8)