Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Samsung smartwatch evokes James Bond gadgets, without the lasers

Samsung’s new Galaxy Gear smartwatch reminds quite a few people of the wristwatch gadgets used by secret agent James Bond in the long-running movie series.
Samsung unveiled the $299 smartwatch on Wednesday. The Galaxy Gear watch wirelessly connects to a user’s Samsung smartphone to display text messages, emails, incoming phone data and other glanceable information. Users also can place and receive phone calls through the device and take photos and videos with a camera embedded in the wrist strap. The smartwatch even responds to voice commands to place calls or give the weather forecast.
Unfortunately Samsung’s smartwatch doesn’t include the metal-cutting lasers featured in several Bond watches. That will have to wait until Galaxy Gear 2, I guess.
What follows is a list of gadget watches used in the Bond film series.

From Russia with Love (1963)

A wristwatch from which a wire garrote can be drawn. Used by henchman Red Grant to strangle his victims. Bond turned the weapon against Grant in the film’s climax.


Thunderball (1965)

Breitling “Top Time” Diver Chronometer watch with built-in Geiger counter.

Live and Let Die (1973)

Rolex Submariner watch equipped with an electromagnet powerful enough to deflect a bullet. It also featured a spinning bezel that acts as a rotating saw, which enabled Bond to cut his rope restraints and escape a pool full of man-eating sharks.

Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Seiko Quartz watch with a built-in telex that allowed MI6 to send important messages to Bond, printing them out like a miniature teleprinter.

Moonraker (1979)

Seiko watch containing a remote detonator and explosive charge and fuse inside the back compartment.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Seiko watch capable of receiving digital message read-outs and containing a two-way radio-transmitter for voice communications.

Octopussy (1983)

Seiko watch with homing device tracker and ability to receive live video feeds from surveillance cameras.


Never Say Never Again (1983)

Rolex wristwatch equipped with a small laser beam cutting tool.



GoldenEye (1995)

Omega Seamaster Professional wristwatch with built-in laser cutter and a remote detonator.


Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Omega Seamaster watch with a small, detachable charge that can be detonated by turning the watch’s dial.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Omega Seamaster watch containing a grappling hook with 50 feet of high-tensile micro-filament and a high intensity lighted bezel.

Die Another Day (2002)

Omega wristwatch with an explosive detonator and laser beam cutter.

Resources:

List of James Bond gadgets (Wikipedia)

James Bond Watches (JamesBondWatches.com)

The 50 Coolest Bond Gadgets (Complex; Nov. 8, 2012)

James Bond watch with Geiger counter sells for $160,000. (Reuters; June 27, 2013)

Omega watches: James Bond (Omega)

Photos (from top down): 
Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch with “wild orange” color band; 
Wristwatch with retractable garrote wire from “From Russia with Love”; 
Watch with remote video surveillance display from “Octopussy”; 
Laser-equipped watch from “Never Say Never Again” and;
Laser-equipped watch from “GoldenEye.”

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