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18k WG Seamaster De Ville

Caliber561
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Picked up this Seamaster pre-De Ville with a peculiar dial. Retailed by Türler, it's got an 18k white gold case.

1 (2).jpg


Has the distinct double bevel of the 18k models.
3 (2).jpg


Medallion hasn't been terribly polished, so the matte surfaces are still present. Most of the rhodium plating also appears to be intact.
mte (2).jpg


Ref 14770 SC-61, 18k with the Swiss Helvetia hallmark.
2.jpg


Does anyone know how common these 18k WG SM/SMDVs were? I can't remember seeing any others from 18k WG during years of fishing around, aside from a date-equipped 166.020 currently on eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/274886876527)

This is also one of the few dials I've seen for PM De Villes that drop the minute hashes for a more elegant, dressy look. Does anyone know if this was limited to specific references because I feel like I also recall seeing the same thing done on some American PM special order dials?


Thanks!
4 (2).jpg



Bonus pickup content:
smcomp.jpg
 
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dsio
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Very cool man nice condition too!
 
STANDY
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Nice watch….

(There is another thread with a similar white gold same case here somewhere.)
 
Mark020
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Very nice one!!! Double signed and WG is double winning
 
Caliber561
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STANDY STANDY
Nice watch….

(There is another thread with a similar white gold same case here somewhere.)
I'm having a bit of trouble finding the thread. Do you remember roughly when it was active?
 
STANDY
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Caliber561 Caliber561
I'm having a bit of trouble finding the thread. Do you remember roughly when it was active?

No, but you can search

"White Gold" in Omega vintage forum and there is 3 pages. Page one has a 600 similar
 
ConElPueblo
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hoipolloi hoipolloi
Maybe from mine?
Screenshot_20211108-180929_Facebook.jpg Screenshot_20211108-180941_Facebook.jpg Screenshot_20211108-180951_Facebook.jpg

Interesting to see that yours has "WATERPROOF" in the medallion (which is what I would expect) and the OPs have a horseshoe as the steel versions.
 
Caliber561
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Interesting to see that yours has "WATERPROOF" in the medallion (which is what I would expect) and the OPs have a horseshoe as the steel versions.
Searching around google images, I'm seeing that there are a decent amount of 14770s and 166.020s in 18k YG have the horseshoe and light "WATERPROOF" along the lower bevel, but there do appear to be perhaps just as many 166.020s in 18K with medallions like @hoipolloi 's. I'll have to jot down what serials I can find to see if there's a clear transition period, but it does seem a little inconclusive.

early 1966 166.020 with etching: https://jones-horan.hibid.com/lot/77441-241500-20850/omega-seamaster--ref-166-020--18k-case/
18k166.020.jpg


late 1966 166.020 with updated medallion: https://www.vintage-portfolio.com/s...iful-omega-de-ville-18k-yellow-gold-full-set/
vwp18k166.020.JPG


To throw a wrench into the mix: https://omegaforums.net/threads/automatic-seamaster-de-ville-18k.11814/
Updated medallion and supposed 1965 production.

Shame there aren't any of the typical case maker marks on the inside of these cases. That would make it easier to tell if the difference was a result of multiple suppliers - but then again since these weren't produced at the same volume as the steel pieces, I doubt multiple suppliers would be necessary.
 
ConElPueblo
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Caliber561 Caliber561
Searching around google images, I'm seeing that there are a decent amount of 14770s and 166.020s in 18k YG have the horseshoe and light "WATERPROOF" along the lower bevel, but there do appear to be perhaps just as many 166.020s in 18K with medallions like @hoipolloi 's. I'll have to jot down what serials I can find to see if there's a clear transition period, but it does seem a little inconclusive.


Shame there aren't any of the typical case maker marks on the inside of these cases. That would make it easier to tell if the difference was a result of multiple suppliers - but then again since these weren't produced at the same volume as the steel pieces, I doubt multiple suppliers would be necessary.

We're in Deep Nerd Territory here 😁
 
sleepyastronaut
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Interesting to see that yours has "WATERPROOF" in the medallion (which is what I would expect) and the OPs have a horseshoe as the steel versions.

Could this be as a result of the country to which the watch was exported for sale? (re: Waltham vs. FTC ruling)
 
ConElPueblo
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sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
Could this be as a result of the country to which the watch was exported for sale? (re: Waltham vs. FTC ruling)

WATERPROOF is still on the caseback, it is purely cosmetic. It probably has to do with different batches.
 
kaplan
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I now miss the days before seeing this thread when I didn't check the lugs of every de ville I saw 😀

I don't know all that much but as far as I gather the boutique's always had the option to request dial changes, shame they didn't make changes all that often
 
Caliber561
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
WATERPROOF is still on the caseback, it is purely cosmetic. It probably has to do with different batches.

It seems like on some of the steel models, the "WATERPROOF" was initially omitted. But I think around 1967, the "WATERPROOF" etching made the switch to inside the medallion.

v1 (2).JPG v2 (2).JPG v3 (2).jpg
 
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