Aaron Taylor-Johnson Wears His 007 Credentials on His Wrist
Omega likes actors. Actors like Omega. The latest movie star to rep the watchmaker in an official capacity is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who also happens to be a long-rumored favorite to be the next James Bond. Factor in the Swiss big dog’s official association with 007, and you can imagine how Taylor-Johnson’s Omega news went down in the gossip columns.
Over the weekend, the actor attended an ‘in conversation’ event for his latest movie 28 Days Later, alongside co-stars Jodie Comer and director Danny Boyle. He did so wearing a Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, making it his watch spot as an Omega man. (Take note that Bond is known for wearing various Seamaster models, never a Speedmaster.)
What is far more interesting about this particular watch—and perhaps shows Taylor-Johnson is happy to stoke the rumor mill—is that it was first leaked by Daniel Craig (ex-007, of course) at the Planet Omega exhibition in November 2023. Omega later announced the watch officially in early 2024.
But you don’t have to be Bond to look great wearing the white-dial Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional. You don’t get more wearable than a stainless steel case and bracelet with a white dial: it’s clean, classic, and pairs with most outfits (which makes this a great one-and-done grail). It’s also powered by Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 movement, which gets the chrono fiends giddy. Plus, it’s certified by METAS, which is watch-speak for meeting the most stringent accuracy tests.
The reason it’s so rigorously tested stems from its roots. The Speedmaster is a tool watch, initially designed with racing in mind, before earning the “Moonwatch” moniker when it was blasted into space and worn by astronaut Walter Schirra in 1962 even before it was NASA qualified in 1965. This makes it a flat-out grail for anyone with a thing for Omega. It’s rugged, a bit fancy, built tough, and arguably more Bond than a Seasmaster. It’s also a great move for an ambassador looking to show a deep appreciation for the brand’s history.
Anyone sipping a martini for every Bond-related IG comment that followed Taylor-Johnson’s Omega announcement wouldn’t have fared well. Instead, why not flip the narrative, ignore the hearsay, and simply appreciate the horological goodness we are now guaranteed to witness every time Taylor-Johnson steps out in the wild?
Hollywood’s army of watch collectors—which already includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and the aforementioned Craig—is already going strong. Now, we can add Aaron Taylor-Johnson to that watch watch list. Here’s hoping his wrist will be used to tease new releases too—an exercise just as exciting as speculating about whether or not he’ll be the next Bond.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
