Despite reports – and extensive video evidence – suggesting James Bond died in a rocket attack on a remote, poisonous island, he is in fact alive. Or at least, he was last night, swaggering from the grave for one last spin on town...

In the catacombs (railway arches) of London Bridge, Daniel Craig appeared, replete in tuxedo and Seamaster, to cap off his time as 007 and celebrate the release of Omega’s new, very special ‘Bond’ watch.

The watch – the Seamaster Diver 300M 60 Years of James Bond Stainless Steel, to be precise – was the star of the show. And you can read all about it here. But the secondary takeaway of the night was the triumphant display of evening-wear in its various forms, which, we realise, have been somewhat lacking over recent years. Craig, as you’d expect, went classic, accessorising a classic one-button, peak lapel tux with his new Seamaster. But other guests – including, a few potential future 007s… - took the opportunity to mix things up.

london, england november 23 david jonsson attends 60 years of james bond on november 23, 2022 in london, england photo by kate greengetty images
Kate Green
David Jonsson
london, england november 23 gwilym lee attends a special event hosted by omega celebrating 60 years of james bond on november 23, 2022 in london, england photo by david m benettdave benettgetty images for omega
David M. Benett
Gwilym Lee 

Will Poulter, for example, opted for no tux, shirt or tie at all, pairing his deconstructed black suit with a corresponding polo. It worked, but perhaps he could have pushed the envelope a little further, or even taken a leaf out of David Jonsson’s book. The Industry star softened his classic satin-lapel tux with a soft, silky black shirt, complete with frilly collar. Way more comfortable than a dickie-bow, and somehow smarter, too?

Shout out to Gwilym Lee of The Great, who opted for the often-wielded, gently subversive move of swapping his bow tie for a regular black one. And a special mention to Oliver Jackson-Cohen, star of Emily, and The Lost Daughter, who out-caszjed everyone with a roll-neck and chunky Chelsea boots.

As we await the announcement of the next James Bond with bated breath, the evening offered a fresh, sartorial insight into the imminent changing of the guard. Craig: a traditionalist. His chorus of potential replacements: iconoclastic, to a man. Makes us wonder if we’ll ever see Bond in a classic tux ever again…