Authenticity check - omega seamaster deville

accidentes · Aug 25, 2025

Hi OF,

I should have made this post before purchasing, but I only found out about this forum recently. I bought this Seamaster De Ville on eBay and it’s currently going through customs, so I don’t have it in hand yet.

Here’s the seller’s description:

OMEGA SEAMASTER DEVILLE AUTOMATIC DATE STAINLESS STEEL SILVER DIAL 1968 TO 69 WATCH

Signed 5x (dial, case, crystal, movement, crown).

34 mm case, stainless steel.

Caliber 563, serial 27167397 (which should date it to ~1968–69).

Caseback ref 166.020 SP.

Seller claims everything is original, including crown, dial, and crystal.

Photos are attached (dial, caseback, movement, inside caseback, crown).

From what I can see:

Dial looks consistent with other examples of the 166.020 (applied logo, correct text).
Movement looks clean, though I’ve seen that this ref usually came with Cal. 565, while the seller lists it as Cal. 563 - would love your thoughts on that.
Caseback stamping matches the reference.
Serial puts it late 1960s, which lines up.

I’d appreciate your feedback on:

Whether the dial looks original or refinished.
If the crown, hands, and crystal look correct for this reference.
Any signs of over-polishing on the case.

Thanks a lot for your help! 🙏🏻

reggie_v · Aug 25, 2025

Hi OP,

Everything looks good to me from a point of it being genuine.

Movement looks good, correct for this watch, the only caveat being the dial and hands have been relumed. Meaning the original tritium lume has been removed and repainted with brand new lume. For its age I’d expect it to be far more yellow or brown in colour but it is showing as white.

Not the end of the world, it just means it’s not as original which some collectors like, but if you just want a nice vintage watch which is absolutely genuine then I’d save you’ve done well.

Enjoy your new watch when it arrives. 👍🏻

Davidt · Aug 25, 2025

I’d want to see a better, straight on picture of the dial. It looks ok but some of the fonts look heavy, although this could be down to the low picture quality.

accidentes · Aug 25, 2025

reggie_v
Hi OP,

Everything looks good to me from a point of it being genuine.

Movement looks good, correct for this watch, the only caveat being the dial and hands have been relumed. Meaning the original tritium lume has been removed and repainted with brand new lume. For its age I’d expect it to be far more yellow or brown in colour but it is showing as white.

Not the end of the world, it just means it’s not as original which some collectors like, but if you just want a nice vintage watch which is absolutely genuine then I’d save you’ve done well.

Enjoy your new watch when it arrives. 👍

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply!

That’s very reassuring to hear the watch itself is genuine and the movement correct for the reference. I did wonder about the lume, since I’ve seen others from this era where the plots are much darker, makes sense now that it was relumed.

I’m not too bothered about it, as I plan to keep it, but it’s good to know for the future in terms of originality and collector value.

Really appreciate the help and I’m looking forward to having it on the wrist once it clears customs!

accidentes · Aug 25, 2025

Davidt
I’d want to see a better, straight on picture of the dial. It looks ok but some of the fonts look heavy, although this could be down to the low picture quality.

I’ve been wondering the same, I’m going to always ask for pictures on natural light to take a better look on such details.

I’ll make sure to post updated pics as soon as it arrives! I appreciate your input Davidt!

Passover · Aug 25, 2025

SMD came in a lot of variations, same variation also with 563 movment here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-deville-166-020-cal-563-vintage-automatic-1968.170045/

Thread 'OMEGA SEAMASTER DEVILLE 166.020 cal 563 vintage automatic 1968' ·

Greetings OF community.

The watch: I am offering a 1968 automatic Stainless Steel Omega Seamaster Deville, in very good vintage condition. Reference 166.020, with movement...

SOLD

SOG53 · Mar 6, 2024

and lots of other examples online to be found.

Case looks good and isn't overpolished but -as Davidt mentioned- the pictures are not good enough to take a really close look

IMO you can't tell from this pictures if dial and hands have been relumed, at least I can't

If you like you can give us a hint concerning the price...

[Edited for typo]

Passover · Aug 25, 2025

563 has 17 jewels (instead of 24 of the 565 movement) and were exported to the US.
Lesser number of jewels reduced US Customes duty fees

accidentes · Aug 25, 2025

Passover
SMD came in a lot of variations, same variation also with 563 movment here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-deville-166-020-cal-563-vintage-automatic-1968.170045/

Thread 'OMEGA SEAMASTER DEVILLE 166.020 cal 563 vintage automatic 1968' ·
Greetings OF community.

The watch: I am offering a 1968 automatic Stainless Steel Omega Seamaster Deville, in very good vintage condition. Reference 166.020, with movement...

SOLD
SOG53 · Mar 6, 2024

and lots of other examples online to be found.

Case looks good and isn't overpolished but -as Davidt mentioned- the pictures are not good enough to take a really close look

IMO you can't tell from this pictures if dial and hands have been relumed, at least I can't

If you like you can give us a hint concerning the price...

[Edited for typo]

Thanks a lot for the feedback!

I’ll make sure to post better natural light pictures once I have the watch.

As for pricing, I paid $1,100 USD (the seller was asking $1,350). From what I’ve seen, nice examples seem to move quickly. I just saw another beautiful Seamaster De Ville listed for $750 and it was gone almost immediately.

I’m really glad I came across this forum. I’m just getting into vintage Omegas and constantly learning. The knowledge and enthusiasm here is really impressive, I’m stoked.

mydeafcat · Aug 25, 2025

I will of course defer to those with more experience yet I think you scored a beauty. SMDVs remain desirable classics.

I see no evidence of any font issues; dial appears quite legit. From these images, I’m not 100% sold on the re-lume suggestion, either. Lugs and case may have been hit with a polishing wheel in the past but those lugs still retain some sharpness.

I have the exact same watch…sorta. Omega created a number of variants during that era. As SMDVs are often a gateway drug to new collectors, I looked at a ton of them back in the day. I settled on a 166.020 like yours but it says Geneve (by then Omega’s ‘entry level’ watch), rather than DeVille. The case back is identical to yours. So a Seamaster Geneve yet a SMDV in all but name. There were others with different combos. You have the standard issue. Lovely.

Price you paid appears par for the course. Long gone are the days (2015/16/17) when these were $500!

accidentes · Aug 25, 2025

mydeafcat
I will of course defer to those with more experience yet I think you scored a beauty. SMDVs remain desirable classics.

I see no evidence of any font issues; dial appears quite legit. From these images, I’m not 100% sold on the re-lume suggestion, either. Lugs and case may have been hit with a polishing wheel in the past but those lugs still retain some sharpness.

I have the exact same watch…sorta. Omega created a number of variants during that era. As SMDVs are often a gateway drug to new collectors, I looked at a ton of them back in the day. I settled on a 166.020 like yours but it says Geneve (by then Omega’s ‘entry level’ watch), rather than DeVille. The case back is identical to yours. So a Seamaster Geneve yet a SMDV in all but name. There were others with different combos. You have the standard issue. Lovely.

Price you paid appears par for the course. Long gone are the days (2015/16/17) when these were $500!

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply, mydeafcat!

Really glad to hear the dial looks good and that the case still has some shape left; I’ll know better once it’s in hand, but that’s reassuring. The whole Geneve vs. De Ville bit is super interesting, I had no idea Omega mixed things up like that back then.
This is my first omega watch and I’d love to get me a constellation pie pan next, I’ll enjoy the hunt and will take it easy with such many options.

Sounds like I paid a fair rate these days, I was probably making that much a month on those glory days 😅 but I’m happy with the piece. Can’t wait to get it on the wrist and share some proper daylight pics.

ps beautiful cat! I’ll update my pfp with mine 🫶🏻

Davidt · Aug 25, 2025

mydeafcat
I have the exact same watch…sorta. Omega created a number of variants during that era. As SMDVs are often a gateway drug to new collectors, I looked at a ton of them back in the day. I settled on a 166.020 like yours but it says Geneve (by then Omega’s ‘entry level’ watch), rather than DeVille. The case back is identical to yours. So a Seamaster Geneve yet a SMDV in all but name. There were others with different combos. You have the standard issue. Lovely.

That sounds very strange. I’ve never heard of or seen an original 166.020 with a Geneve dial.

Geneve dials were used on Seamaster 166.002 references, but not 166.020 as far as I’m aware.

mydeafcat · Aug 25, 2025

Davidt
That sounds very strange. I’ve never heard of or seen an original 166.020 with a Geneve dial.

Geneve dials were used on Seamaster 166.002 references, but not 166.020 as far as I’m aware.

Thanks, David. My typo. You’re correct: mine is a .002. It was originally Norman’s. Needless to say I remain quite pleased with it. The dial and case are nevertheless similar to the OPs and I really do believe he found a lovely watch.

mydeafcat · Aug 25, 2025

accidentes
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply, mydeafcat!

Really glad to hear the dial looks good and that the case still has some shape left; I’ll know better once it’s in hand, but that’s reassuring. The whole Geneve vs. De Ville bit is super interesting, I had no idea Omega mixed things up like that back then.
This is my first omega watch and I’d love to get me a constellation pie pan next, I’ll enjoy the hunt and will take it easy with such many options.

Sounds like I paid a fair rate these days, I was probably making that much a month on those glory days 😅 but I’m happy with the piece. Can’t wait to get it on the wrist and share some proper daylight pics.

ps beautiful cat! I’ll update my pfp with mine 🫶🏻

First a SMDV then a Connie Pie Pan!!! You’ve really got the hang of it now! 😁 (I’m still without a Connie having made a few too many hey-shiny-thing! deviations.)

Thank you - Tommy was a beautiful kitty. He’s been gone for many years now. Presto, a very handsome lad, is now running our household.

accidentes · Sep 4, 2025

Update! Just got the watch, here are some natural light pics

reggie_v · Sep 4, 2025

That’s very nice!

PAW · Sep 20, 2025

I have a question. I'm looking for at 1966 vintage Omega Seamaster DeVille 14k solid, 601 movement
I'm a little confused on the backs. Some have the medallion with Seamaster written on top with the seahorse in the middle waterproof written below, all is in the medallion . Others have the Omega signature mark below the seahorse. Are both correct ?
Thanks for your help

SOG53 · Sep 20, 2025

Nice watch. If you really want to know about lume, shine UV light on it, the tritium dots at hour markers will glow for 10-20 sec and then fade. If the hands do the same its likely original lume on hands. If hand lume is brighter and lasts much longer, then its relume with a newer material, such as superluminova. Its possible if the hand lume behaves same as hour dots that it could have been relumed with tritium before they stopped using it- but it really doesnt matter the watch looks great congrats.

gbesq · Sep 20, 2025

Very nice, catch. Congrats.

accidentes · Sep 21, 2025

SOG53
Nice watch. If you really want to know about lume, shine UV light on it, the tritium dots at hour markers will glow for 10-20 sec and then fade. If the hands do the same its likely original lume on hands. If hand lume is brighter and lasts much longer, then its relume with a newer material, such as superluminova. Its possible if the hand lume behaves same as hour dots that it could have been relumed with tritium before they stopped using it- but it really doesnt matter the watch looks great congrats.

It exactly does that, the tritium dots at hour markers will glow for 10-20 sec and then fade, same as the hands, thanks for the tip

accidentes · Sep 21, 2025

gbesq
Very nice, catch. Congrats.

Much appreciated! I love this watch so much. It runs so smoothly, and I can’t stop admiring its details. The dial is beautiful, and the craftsmanship is truly stunning.

Authenticity check - omega seamaster deville

accidentes

reggie_v

Davidt

accidentes

accidentes

Passover

Passover

accidentes

mydeafcat

accidentes

Davidt

mydeafcat

mydeafcat

accidentes

reggie_v

PAW

SOG53

gbesq

accidentes

accidentes

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