I’m still new at this game so my humble hat is fitted tight to my head as a write this. The 165.024 BT has volumes of info on it and I’ve tried to read as much as possible but I’d like to present this to the pros and get a feel how I’ve done.

From what I can tell in comparing it to references, this looks to be missing the T Swiss Made T and possibly is a tritium relume. These are big marks against it being an untouched relic but I’m wondering if it’s even worth pulling the crystal and rehaut off to see if a T Swiss T is hiding. I’ve read that it’s a no deal if the Swiss is missing but I’ve seen some examples similar that have sold at auction.

The bezel lights up properly and fades out quick. The dial also lights up but doesn’t fade as fast but still goes out in 5 min or so (haven’t timed it yet)

I did purchase this and generally happy with the price (less than watchco) even as a vintage build but curious if this may be legitimate considering the quality of the bezel and the case. The seller said it was his dad’s, but it’s the internet so...

This hopefully can also provide some insight for other silent readers like me. Any insight into this dial would be interesting to me.

Photos:










Thanks everyone!

 

Can you get a straight on shot of the dial?

 

Let me try again. The crystal (with omega symbol present) has a chip and some scratches so hopefully not too distracting to make a call.

Its got the holes at 6 and 12 and the lume doesn’t seem horrible but perhaps not factory quality? The lume at 9 and 12 seems to go out of bounds a bit.

 

The dial and lume looks correct to me, do you see any traces of the T Swiss Made T under the crystal ring?

 

+1, looks like the real thing. Congratulations !

 

Less than a watchco? You did good
what’s the serial/year?

 

Looks good to me. Nice watch! Enjoy it

 

The writing T swiss made T could be under the rehaut.. Check it with a loop please.

 

24.. millions as I can see from the picture.

 

Thanks @Cuttysark didnt see it. Wanted to see bezel correctness; looks good. Home run

 

Thanks everyone! I couldn’t see it using the loop so I’m a bit bummed but it sounds like there are no red flags and it would be worth taking in to have the crystal and rehaut lifted to see if anything is there. Would you replace the crystal with an OEM at the same time?

I put A LOT of weight on that bezel guide found in these forums. I’m stoked the bezel is legit and in the condition it’s in.

This is a bit off topic and it seems like there’s mixed stances on this, but what to do about the hands? Stabilize and fill, find OEM replacements and color match dial, or do nothing?

thanks again.

 

It looks like an honest example to me.
Here's another BT I used to own from the same serial range (24.2XX.XXX).
You couldn't see the T SWISS MADE T on mine either. It was under the tension ring.



You did well.

 

Looking carefully on the rehaut on both watches, yours and the OP’s, do both have a black inner rehaut ring?

This could explain the difference, as the black rehaut could have a larger radius that could cover this last critical 0.x millimetres, just enough to cover the text.

On silver coloured rehauts i recall being able to always see the Swiss Made at least the top third of the text.

Just a thought and my observations...
What do you think?

 

Perfect comparison @ndgal! A swear there is a bottomless well of information in these forums. With this example, I don’t even feel like I need to pull it apart until I have another reason to service it.

anyone have thoughts on the hands? Safest seems to find OEM luminova and redo with tritium but wondering if people have had success with filling the OG hands in this condition.

 

Mine appears to be black and it does seem to be super close to the lume plots. It seems to make sense so maybe a couple other of black rehaut examples would fully confirm.

 

You would be surprised what James Hyman and others can do

 

Original hands come up for sale now and then.
Got to be on the lookout.

If you’re in the US, you can send you watch off to LA Watchworks.
Beau can fix and match the lume of the hand almost perfectly.

Here is an example of a Seamaster 300 I just purchased from the original owner’s family.
The hands were in similar condition to yours when I got it. I had LAWW re-lume them.

 

How long did it take to get the hands redone by LAWW? I live somewhat nearby so that’s definitely an option.

 

I assume you will be getting this watch serviced as well. (You should. Might as well...)
If that’s the case, just have them service it and fix the lume on the hand and it’ll all be done at the same time.

 

100% agree