176.004 "Big Blue" bezel variations

JanV

There are actually three different bezels for the Big Blue, two original bezels and one service bezel.

The two original bezels look at first the same but the first really rare bezel “first execution” has very thin and flattened numbers (flat top 4).

Then there’s the “second execution “ seen in most of the cases with a similar font but just a bit thicker and not compressed. This execution can be seen with two different font thicknesses, otherwise absolutely identical so wouldn’t go calling them as different bezels.

And then there’s the service bezel that sticks out quite clearly with big size numbers and a different quirky font.

There’s also info to be found here on the forum, just search for it and you will find...

https://omegaforums.net/threads/thoughts-on-this-st-176-004-120-c-big-blue.5659/

Will post all three down below in order:
First execution, second execution and service bezel.

Rasputin

I believe there’s another bezel iteration likely made for the Mexican market. Here’s one with its Holzer bracelet.

JanV

The one above looks to be the second iteration with the BOLD font like i mentioned earlier in my post, “This execution can be seen with two different font thicknesses, otherwise absolutely identical so wouldn’t go calling them as different bezels.”


Nothing special in it for me to believe it would have been made for the Mexican market. Will post below one of my BB’s delivered to Finland in 1974, that also has the second iteration BOLD font.

You can generally think that the thicker the font, the younger the watch.

From looking a bit deeper into this subject i could simplify my observations that the first iteration would be placed around 1971, the second iteration THIN font from 1972 to somewhere around 1973, and the second iteration BOLD font from end of 1973 to 1974.

If anyone has EoA’s of their BB’s this could help to narrow down or get a stronger overview if you would want to share with me.

Rasputin

Does one of the second execution bezels have an isosceles triangle marker similar to my example? I can’t tell from looking at your most recent photo. The other examples posted earlier appear to have equilateral triangle markers.

Also the placement of some of the numbers relative to the markers appear different in my example relative to your Finland example. This is especially apparent with where “20” is located relative to its adjacent markers.