Quick question for the experts. I have been offered the watch in the poor photos below. I was told it has a rare movement, cal. 560, of which there were less than a thousand made. I don't particularly like the watch, and most likely won't purchase it, but I have never heard of the 560 movement, and would like more information, if its available. Thanks very much.
US market movement. The more commonly seen figure for the cal 560 is 3000 pieces. This figure has been discussed and debated many times with many still questioning the validity of the number.
Thanks. Beyond what might be considered a "limited" production run, is there anything significant about the movement? I don't find the dial/case of this particular watch attractive, and am inclined to pass on it. Just curious what the big deal may be...
Agree, there's considerable debate on the numbers in respect to cal 560. It is the base, 17 jewel calibre for the calendar series. So, the most significant aspect of the movement is that it has seven fewer jewels than most mid-500 calendar movements. Cheers Desmond
Watch seems to be missing the seconds hand. Should be relatively easy to find one. Otherwise, what Desmond says. gatorcpa
It appears to be a reference 166.020, which is the only cal 560 imported as a complete watch from Switzerland. To quote from Desmond's blog: "I put to John Diethelm the thesis that the US version of case 166.020 featured a calibre 560 and received this reply, “The model ST 166.020 (Seamaster De Ville") shipped to USA was the only one sent as such, i.e. never with a movement of cal. 562 or 565 - 24 jewels, but USA was importing the complete watch, with mov. of cal. 560 ( 17 jewels) only for the steel cases, while the gold-filled or 14K solid gold cases were then "made in USA" and fitted with the "bare" movements” This is important information as it explains the pedigree of this particular model and indeed it’s the uniqueness of the stainless steel model as being the only calibre 560 assembled entirely in Switzerland and sent to the U.S. as a complete calibre 560 piece."
I have owened a few of these. There is nothing special about the 560 other than the known production number (3000) of steel cases Seamaster devilles delivered to the US. I don't think 3000 is the total number of 560 movements produced just the number cased in SS and delivered to the US. Here is my favorite one.