Bond’s purple-tinted X-ray glasses in The World Is Not Enough are a near-perfect example of how effective a Bond gadget can be when their not overdone. They’re introduced almost casually without a grand demonstration from Q Branch, and are a tool Bond simply slips on during the workshop scene. It’s as if advanced spy tech is just part of his everyday kit and he’s already familiar with their function.

Their single major use at Zukovsky’s L’Or Noir casino is quick, but clever. With one simple visual gag, the glasses reveal who’s armed and where the threats are, and in classic Bond fashion offer a cheeky glimpse beneath the clothing of several female patrons.

Future Bond gadgets would benefit from embracing this “less is more” philosophy to show that a gadget can be memorable without lengthy introductions or elaborate associated action sequences.