Picked up this absolutely gorgeous 1966 Omega Seamaster De Ville with an Arabic Numeral Dial.
Ref. 160.020
Cal. 563
Gave it a thorough cleaning, and a NOS Crystal and I absolutely cannot stop staring at it.
My grandfather bought the watch in the late 70’s and gave it to me a few years back. It’s my favorite watch in my collection and it runs perfectly!
Seamaster 300 heritage - Reference 234
I have no clue why this watch is not more popular… it wears almost
Like a 39mm and due to the design of the case shape sits so low on my wrist along with the shape of the lugs it BLOWS me
Away every time I put it on… especially in a world where everyone is complaining about omegas proportions.
Cherry on top is the fact that it works like a GMT (in a sense but not completely) where you can change the hour hand independently and adjust for different time zones… I know there’s still more functionality with a true GMT being able to track different time zones.
But the jumping hour hand is all most people need that travel. When I go visit family in another state it’s incredible being able to adjust the hour hand a few hours ahead and then back when I go home.
Only complaint is i do wish it had a date complication. But not a deal breaker.
There aren’t many photos of the NTTD on the polymesh so thought I would share a couple in case it helps anyone who is considering this option. I’ve tried the NTTD on Milanese, various natos and uncle Ti bracelet and while they all looked okay, they never felt right.
I appreciate some people may be funny about using another watch maker branded strap, but the polymesh feels like it was made for this. Super comfortable (it broke my a brain first feeling the Ti “fabric”) and in my mind at least matches the watch well.
I have a plethora of watches, but I keep coming back to this one. It still the best in my opinion.
Hi all,
I am thinking of trading my black ceramic SMP for the no date aluminum SMP. I would appreciate any insights on ownership from anyone that’s had the privilege of owning and wearing both models.
The draw for me is the small-wave dial and the (perhaps misguided) romantic idea of the aluminum bezel aging with the wearer.
I am curious about:
issues with legibility of the no-date variant at different angles given the domed sapphire crystal
whether the added thickness is meaningfully impactful
Bezel play in the aluminum bezel. A NTTD model I owned had a little back-play in the bezel that I didn’t love, but having tried others’ models, the bezel has been sharp.
I bought this watch new in 2010 when my job was beating me into the ground. The watch gave some meaning to my looming burnout and for that reason I’ll always cherish it. It was in rough shape when I sent it to Omega in July. I’m impressed.
I’m a believer in wearing your watches and today we’ll see what kind of beating the bronze gold seamaster can take at the beach. Have a beach volleyball tournament down here today and its not coming off. Hopefully it survives and doesn’t get too beat up but if It does it does.
The new Bond Seamaster watches seem gimmicky, nothing beats the classic SMP.
I’ve been in love with this watch for a while, bit the bullet and bought my first serious watch- 34mm lacquer black aqua terra
Swapped the OEM bracelet on my 38 for a Kizzi Precision Flightgear strap and it completely transformed the watch into a true "Mini Moonwatch".
The small -209 size fits my 16.5 cm wrist perfectly, and setting it up in the alternate configuration keeps the strap from adding unnecessary height to already controversial thickness. The contrast of the strap makes the iconic lyre/twist lugs pop far more than the bracelet.
While the historical accuracy and build quality are top-notch, the velcro backing was initially a bit scratchy. A light pass over the backing and edges with 800-grit fixed that immediately, making it incredibly comfortable to wear.
I’m even more enamored with this piece now, and it might just stay on this strap for a while!
About that time of year to slap the bracelet back on
I have been collecting watches for a year or two now, I have some Seikos and a Tissot. I mentioned to my wife that I would be over the moon with something “bigger” for our 5 year anniversary. She picked this out, bought it, and surprised me with it yesterday. I’m thrilled!
Really love the versatility of this watch. A quick rinse in the hotel room later and it’s back on my wrist tonight for dinner.
I'd posted this in another thread and someone asked about a specific watch. After writing this up, I thought I'd give it its own thread.
Top Row, from left to right
1) Constellation Megasonic 720Hz Quartz. Produced from 1973-1977. Called “the Singing Watch” due to the F# tone it emits. FWIW, the Megasonic is a fascinating movement. Read about it here: https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/omega/omega-megasonic/
2) De Ville TV-Dial reference 151.0051 Automatic Caibre 711. Produced from 1970-1975. I really dig this one. (Actually, I like them all!)
3) Geneve Automatic Day-Date. Reference 166.0125. Yellow redial. (Bought before I know as much as I know now). Calibre 1020 or 1022. Early 70s. On a side note, these are everywhere. Watch out for overpolishing and redials. Original dial colors were silver, blue or gold. Early 70s.
4) Seamaster 120m. Became the Aqua Terra. My first nice watch bought at Macy’s for just over $1000 in 2001!
5) Speedmaster Day-Date “Triple-Calendar” OMG these are beautiful! Can be had for a couple grand up. 38 mm case. Not Omega band (I needed extra links with the very small bracelet it came with so just went with this.) Honestly, if one wants into the Speedmaster world, these are hard to beat.
6) Speedmaster Moonphase. A gift from my mother (since passed). Ref 304.33.44.52.03.001. A big boy at 44.25 mm case size. Let’s just say you know you’re wearing it.
Second Row, left to right
1) Geneve Dynamic Automatic. Calibre 684. This is a beautiful example of why I buy more vintage than new. 29 mm square cushion case to die for! Yes, an automatic watch in a 29mm case. The things Omega used to do! Paid about $500, spent $800 + for full service and more. It needed a stem, a crown, a crystal etc. Produced 1969-1970. This tidbit of beauty gets so many compliments! I rarely see this one up for sale. If you like it and see one, BUY IT NOW!!!!! There is a mens version as well with 39mm case. It’s nice, but to my eye, doesn’t grab me the way this one does. Almost all I saw searching for information for this post were the men’s 39 mm case.
2) Modern Constellation Ladies Quartz with Mother-of-Pearl dial. Bought this recently for my GF. Honestly, I didn’t expect to like this as much as I do, but damn, it’s a beauty. When we saw it in person, I was thinking we’d end up with the blue aventurine dial with diamond indices. While that one wins on paper, side by side this blows it away. My GF still gets choked up when she puts it on.
3) De Ville Prestige Quartz 30mm. Another current catalog piece. Read above about GF getting choked up.
4) Did someone say Vintage? This is a silver cased pocket watch from 1915 celebration the Grand Prix du Horology Paris 1900. These are surprisingly affordable in silver, gold cases go for a lot more. If you want one, look at the case condition and the engraving condition of the Grand Prix stuff under the rear case that opens. Getting a very beautiful one isn’t a huge price premium, and if you don’t and you see one like mine, you’ll hate your watch and kick your own shins. Buy the best you can afford to. They start at well short of a grand.
5) Speedy Pro White Lacquer dial. This has become my GADA watch. Over tons of other watches. (BTW, I have many more, not just Omega!)
6) Silver Snoopy. If you don’t know what this is, just go away! 😉