OMEGA, “Seamaster" Chronometer 300M”, 1997, 007 “Tomorrow Never Dies” prop wristwatch.

No movement fitted within this case of brushed and polished steel, with shouldered winding crown and secondary crown at 10:30, screw down back, numbered 168 1623, 368 1623, with signed blue dial with wave detail, date aperture at 3 and fixed hands, with sweep centre seconds, fitted with a brick link bracelet and deployant clasp.

Width including crown 46 mm.

This watch case and dial is accompanied by a letter, dated 18 Feb 2023, from the vendor stating the following:-

"I worked in the finance department of the clothing company “The Jaeger Co. Ltd” in King's Lynn, Norfolk for 36 years and I retired in 2013. I have a small collection of vintage watches which I have built up over the past 30 years.

For the 1997 James Bond Film “Tomorrow Never Dies”, Jaeger supplied the wardrobe for the character ‘M’, played by Dame Judi Dench.

As part of the publicity launch for the film an all ticket evening event was held at the Jaeger flagship store on Regent Street. This involved some of the stars of the film turning up in the 'James Bond' cars and being photographed inside and outside the store with Dame Judi wearing the Jaeger clothes she had worn in the film. 

Amongst the film props at the event were two OMEGA Seamaster Proofessional Chronometer 300M watches, one of which was worn by Pierce Brosnan.

After the photo shoot the two watches were given to the store manager to put in his safe for safekeeping until they were to be handed back to whoever looked after the film props.

Move on to 2003 when the ownership of Jaeger changed hands. One of the new company directors was taking a tour of the Regent Street branch and was asked by the manager (same chap who was there in 1997) what he would like him to do with the two prop watches STILL in his safe from the James Bond evening six years ago.

The London based Jaeger accountant   took the watches to Garrards for a valuation and they gave a value of one of the watches as a genuine fully working Omega Seamaster and this was sold by Jaeger for that price. Garrards told the accountant that the second identical Omega model had been checked over an opened and it contained no movement therefore they would not put a value on it. they said it was a Omega watch with no movement, a film prop watch.

The accountant remembered that her colleague in King's Lynn (me) collected watches and asked the new company owners if they woud be happy for her to give the watch to me as Garrards had said they wouldn't put a value on it. They agreed and I was given the Omega with no movement sometime in 2003.

I recently took the watch to a local jeweller and watch repaired with many years experience who gave me a verbal appraisal informing me that the watch is a genuine Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer 300M with no movement in it. He even offered to put a movement in it for me!

I have only worn the watch a few times since 2003 (mainly to tell the James Bond connectin story) and have decided to donate it to The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House for them to sell on.

Paul Anderson 

Retired Jaeger Accounts Manager"