I started a thread on this watch in 2017 and was told (and insisted) Omega never actually produced a black crosshair dial SMDV. And the folks out on that thread are still pretty adamant about that. You could contribute to horological history here, @seekingseaquest , and order an extract from the archives. That would settle this matter once and for all.
Even if an extract mentions the dial colour (which is unlikely) who’s to say the cross-hair wasn’t added later?
Even if an extract mentions the dial colour (which is unlikely) who’s to say the cross-hair wasn’t added later?
For those that don’t know, one of Don Draper’s watches from Mad Men was a black crosshair dial 1960s Seamaster DeVille. There are many articles on the topic (Hodinkee here), however most fail to note that the one he wore in the show was actually a redial (“Swiss made” text positioning is the biggest giveaway). Needless to say, most of the black gilt Seamasters out there are redials, especially crosshair DeVilles post the Mad Men feature.
Last year, I was lucky enough to pick up an original one from an auction house in the UK. I’ve seen other originals - including an identical dial variant as mine from the Omega Enthusiast (also below).
I finally got it back from service, where it also received a NOS crystal. I’m pretty in love 🥰
And Omega Enthusiast’s:
Here is another one that looks legit to me. Very similar dial configuration except a pre-DeVille and with lume.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/59-seamaster-story-and-questions-new-hands-crown.94325/
This picture of the dial looks suspicious to me:
The font doesn't look right. The fact that the watch came with incorrect hands, crystal and crown doesn't help.
I'm seriously tempted by this: https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/product-page/1962-omega-seamaster-30-6
Lovely dial and hands. It's a lot of money for a Seamaster 30 though. 😀
I'm seriously tempted by this: https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/product-page/1962-omega-seamaster-30-6
Lovely dial and hands. It's a lot of money for a Seamaster 30 though. 😀
It certainly looks good to me - congrats! 😀
I am not a particularly big fan of the SMDVs, but especially amongst new collectors they are extremely popular, much more than Constellations and such from what I have experienced.
I wouldn't be surprised that this was one of the next vintage Omegas we see faked.
As every very well executed fake looks legit to most (if not all) people, I think one would need more than eyes to prove the existence of original black crosshair SMDVs. You need tremendous amounts of knowledge and if you ever find one that has been untouched and that you know for sure is original, good luck convincing the others on this. You'd need substancial amounts of credibility. I for sure would have a hard time believing someone who is trying to sell one of these.
This picture of the dial looks suspicious to me:
The font doesn't look right. The fact that the watch came with incorrect hands, crystal and crown doesn't help.
This is a beautiful watch, but I can't unsee the difference in tone between the date window and the rest of the hardware.
