1963 Omega seamaster. Wondering if it is all original.

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Wpgguy

·Oct 12, 2020

Bought this watch in Winnipeg a few weeks ago. Reminded me of my dad's old watch. Definitely an impulse purchase, but absolutely love the look and feel of the watch.

Was wondering if any of the more well-versed members on this site could give me some feedback on the originality of the piece.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Oct 12, 2020

Looks good to me...

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-st-166-0002

 

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davidswiss

·Oct 12, 2020

It all looks genuine to me but like you I cannot match the dial to 166.002, both it and the case look like the 165002 shown on p. 289 of A journey through time.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Oct 12, 2020

davidswiss

It all looks genuine to me but like you I cannot match the dial to 166.002, both it and the case look like the 165002 shown on p. 289 of A journey through time.

You're right, how did I miss that? Too early in the morning, I guess.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-st-165-0002

 

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Shabbaz

·Oct 12, 2020

166.002 is with date function. So the caseback does not belong to this watch. Caliber 552 is correct for a 165.002.

 

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Wpgguy

·Oct 12, 2020

I had the same thought. Everywhere I searched for the 552, they pointed to the 165.002. I also don't see many watches of this Era with the 3, 6, 9, 12 dial.

A few other puzzling details are the hands (not sure if they are correct), and the crown missing the omega logo.

Just a few uncertainties I have.

 

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padders

·Oct 12, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

The watch is fine except for the caseback. Not only is the ref wrong but on a plated watch like that the original caseback (which would be plain steel) will note 'Plaque Or' and a thickness eg 20microns. The original may have had a Hippocampus logo too. I don't think they fit plain presentation backs like that to plated watches, but whatever its nearly right but not quite.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Oct 12, 2020

W Wpgguy

I had the same thought. Everywhere I searched for the 552, they pointed to the 165.002. I also don't see many watches of this Era with the 3, 6, 9, 12 dial.

A few other puzzling details are the hands (not sure if they are correct), and the crown missing the omega logo.

Just a few uncertainties I have.

The dials varied, so it's not necessarily wrong. Hands also varied a bit. As for the crown, it is probably a generic replacement.

 

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mrbreen

·Oct 12, 2020

I’ll second the above comments. Guessing it’s a 165.002 with a 166.002 caseback. No big deal unless you’re planning to sell it to a serious collector down the road. As to the dial it looks great and original!

 

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Wpgguy

·Oct 12, 2020

Thank you all for your input!

Now.....anyone have a 165.002 caseback they are looking to sell?

 

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Wpgguy

·Oct 12, 2020

And I'm definitely not looking to resell. Just would like it pseudo intact for when I hand it down....

 

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Wpgguy

·Oct 12, 2020

mrbreen

I’ll second the above comments. Guessing it’s a 165.002 with a 166.002 caseback. No big deal unless you’re planning to sell it to a serious collector down the road. As to the dial it looks great and original!

Thank you. This one definitely stood out among the others I looked at.

 

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Shabbaz

·Oct 12, 2020

W Wpgguy

Thank you all for your input!

Now.....anyone have a 165.002 caseback they are looking to sell?

Just do a save search on ebay. They do pop up from time to time. At the other hand, why bother? You can wear it like it is. It would'nt bother me.