Advice needed please Omega Seamaster 120 BIG BLUE 176.004

filler356 · Jul 10, 2026

Hello Everyone

I’m new here and wanting some advice please ?

I’m looking at purchasing my first Omega watch so I’m a bit green on this.
But a Seamaster BIG BLUE 120 has caught my eye. The seller is in another country and I won’t get a chance to actually try it on.
So I’m sailing a little close to the wind so to speak.

But the thing is and I know it may seem a stupid question what with the watches name but actually how big is a BIG BLUE ?
I mean obviously it’s large. But is it ludicrously large ? Not having ever held one I just put it into perspective.
It looks thick and I understand the case is 44 x 52. I think I’m more concerned about its thickness.
Does it make it stand out like a sore thumb ?
Is it a watch you could comfortably use as a daily ?
Will doorways become a problem to navigate ? ……..ok that one’s a joke.
If I fell in a river would I be in real trouble ?……….ok ok that’s another joke !

But seriously does anyone have a photo of them wearing one ? Ideally a side view too just to get an idea.
I love the look of them but don’t want to look like I’m wearing a dustbin lid.

Is it an easy watch to live with ?

Any photos would be a massive help.
Thank you I appreciate your time and advice

cristos71 · Jul 10, 2026

I don't have one but wanted one for a good while when my focus was on the colourful 1970s chrono's and divers.

I'd say it's very big, the height is certainly not to be underestimated. I own PloProf's and Flightmaster's and they wear small by comparison.

I never found 'the one' but it was probably the height that stopped me from really going for it.

There are many Big Blue's with service dials and bezels, don't buy one of those.

filler356 · Jul 10, 2026

cristos71
I don't have one but wanted one for a good while when my focus was on the colourful 1970s chrono's and divers.

I'd say it's very big, the height is certainly not to be underestimated. I own PloProf's and Flightmaster's and they wear small by comparison.

I never found 'the one' but it was probably the height that stopped me from really going for it.

There are many Big Blue's with service dials and bezels, don't buy one of those.

Yea I just need something as a kind of reference. I don’t even have a dimension of it’s height.
Don’t want to make a mistake.

Lou P · Jul 10, 2026

Hi and welcome. Mine was likely a Bienne restoration prior to my ownership, but I'll chime in. 16.3mm thick, mine is, and that's with flat crystal, not domed. Yeah that's up there, but not unheard of: SMP 300 Chronos and 1000m Tunas are is this territory for example. X-Y size is no big deal imo, particularly for the sport-dive watch category. But the thickness, combined with the pilot case, makes you go "wow"... not your standard watch.

If you've ever seen its pilot case cousin Speedmaster Mark III, I think the Big Blue is better proportioned thanks to the external bezel. Balances it out well imo, vs the Mark III's internal bezel.

Water resistance? I wouldn't count on that. These are 50+ yr old now. Maybe a watchmaker can get one to hold, but the odds are low, imo. I've never even had mine tested.

Personally, I don't wear mine as a daily wearer...have too many other watches for that. For me it fits in the fun, quirky, collectible, put on for fun once in a while category. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be a perfect daily for you though.

Cal 1040 is an excellent movement, btw.

Now for some pics:

I've enjoyed mine on mesh for quite a while, but I've had it on rubber in the past as well.

A loose fitting long sleeve can help it blend in.

But I wouldn't call it a good under the cuff solution.

The hooded lugs are quite different because the strap/bracelet can't just come straight out. It has to go down, clear the "hood" and then bend out.

Works OK on the wrist with mesh or the original style bracelets. With a strap, particularly a stiff one, it can cause the watch to lift up on the wrist even more. I think that's why I migrated away from straps on this one years ago. Here you can see flat on a table, the watch is suspended in the air. That effect is much greater with a rubber strap, like an Isofrane (sorry I don't have a pic of that).

I don't want to discourage you. It's a great watch and it may be perfect for you, but it's quite different than most watches. Enjoy the hunt!

cristos71 · Jul 10, 2026

Excellent help there Lou, you've really nailed it.

filler356 · Jul 10, 2026

Lou P
Hi and welcome. Mine was likely a Bienne restoration prior to my ownership, but I'll chime in. 16.3mm thick, mine is, and that's with flat crystal, not domed. Yeah that's up there, but not unheard of: SMP 300 Chronos and 1000m Tunas are is this territory for example. X-Y size is no big deal imo, particularly for the sport-dive watch category. But the thickness, combined with the pilot case, makes you go "wow"... not your standard watch.

If you've ever seen its pilot case cousin Speedmaster Mark III, I think the Big Blue is better proportioned thanks to the external bezel. Balances it out well imo, vs the Mark III's internal bezel.

Water resistance? I wouldn't count on that. These are 50+ yr old now. Maybe a watchmaker can get one to hold, but the odds are low, imo. I've never even had mine tested.

Personally, I don't wear mine as a daily wearer...have too many other watches for that. For me it fits in the fun, quirky, collectible, put on for fun once in a while category. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be a perfect daily for you though.

Cal 1040 is an excellent movement, btw.

Now for some pics:

I've enjoyed mine on mesh for quite a while, but I've had it on rubber in the past as well.

A loose fitting long sleeve can help it blend in.

But I wouldn't call it a good under the cuff solution.

The hooded lugs are quite different because the strap/bracelet can't just come straight out. It has to go down, clear the "hood" and then bend out.

Works OK on the wrist with mesh or the original style bracelets. With a strap, particularly a stiff one, it can cause the watch to lift up on the wrist even more. I think that's why I migrated away from straps on this one years ago. Here you can see flat on a table, the watch is suspended in the air. That effect is much greater with a rubber strap, like an Isofrane (sorry I don't have a pic of that).

I don't want to discourage you. It's a great watch and it may be perfect for you, but it's quite different than most watches. Enjoy the hunt!

Hi Lou

First off let me start by saying “ You’re the Man !”.
Thank you for taking the time to give me such a in-depth reply. It was a prefect response.
You covered all bases and some.

I think if anything you’ve done the opposite of discourage me. I think it looks great. Face on I think the proportions look totally liveable. Yes ok side on it is a bit bigger than normal.
But doesn’t it have such a cool ‘70s presence ?
As long as I constantly wear a scuba tank, flippers ,mask and carry a speargun wherever I go I think I can pull that look off . All I need now is one of those ‘70s wet suits with the big flap between my legs and I’m ready to go.
But seriously I love its style. The only downside side is the one I’m looking at buying comes with the other bracelet not the mesh. Which is such a shame as I think the mesh looks knock out.
Are they easy to get hold off or knowing my luck is it a one model only item and cost a small fortune ?

I think the thickness is just something that I will have to learn to embrace. Live by the sword die by the sword etc.
The way the bracelet attaches is strange but hopefully it will fit the start at the curve of my wrist.

I’m a lot more confident now.
Ok now I need to work on the price. The one I’m looking at shows signs of wear. Which is another thing I am starting to embrace. The story of its life rather than another mint watch.

Thank you again I really appreciate it.

chrisinohio · Jul 10, 2026

I have a 7.5 inch wrist and used to wear one quite a lot.

It is a massive piece though and does sit up considerably off of your wrist. It's definitely not for the faint of heart.

Also of note, I found it to be quite the door jam magnet, and got into the habit of holding my left wrist with my right hand when entering and exiting doors.

That being said, it is pretty iconic and quite the attention getter.

Chris

Advice needed please Omega Seamaster 120 BIG BLUE 176.004

filler356

cristos71

filler356

Lou P

cristos71

filler356

chrisinohio

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