I've seen a lot of these watches.. each from the 60's. Do you guys know the specific difference in the models? Is it the movement?

 

Lets see if I can sort this out for you. The Seamaster is an Omega model that came out in approximately 1948 and its big advance was that it was waterproof. The Seamaster De Ville was a model that was available from 1963 to 1967 and most if not all came in a case that required the movement to be removed through the front of the case like so...


In other words there was no removable case back. Previously to 1963 this model came labeled as a Seamaster only and these two models were identical. These watches came with a variety of movements...the one I own now has a cal. 552 and I've owned one with a cal. 563. These are both automatic movements.

I believe the SM De Ville came with hand wound and auto movements and the auto ones were marked on the dial.
The one I own now...

As for the Seamaster 600, these were named for the cal. 6xx hand wound movements that they came with. The one I own now has a cal. 611 movement (some had a 613 movement, I believe these were no date movements)...


The 600 has a case with a screw on back but from the front looks similar to the SM De Ville.

So you probably have seen some Seamasters (from early 1960s), Seamaster De Villes and Seamaster 600s that all look fairly similar. To recap the main difference is that the Seamaster and the Seamaster Deville are available with cal. 5xx automatic movements (would be marked on the dial) and have cases that require the movement to be removed from the front of the case. The Seamaster 600 was only available with a cal. 6xx hand wound movement and had a screw on case back...

I hope this was helpful and not too confusing.

 

This was great, thanks!

Is there a difference in value in collectibility?

 

I would have to say that the condition of a particular watch, weather it be a SM, SM De Ville or SM 600, will dictate the value more than if its one of these particular models.

 

Awesome post! Dibs on that 600 - super sharp example.

 

Thanks and dibs duly noted!

 

And then from about '67, the SMDVs were spun off into their own De Ville line. Here's mine in 18ct gold:

 

Let's to not forget the SM600's little brother, the SM30

 

One thing to add: the Seamaster De Ville was created for the American market. Norman Morris, the import agent for Omega, wanted it added to the dial. There is virtually no difference between a front loading SM and a front loading SMDV of that time period, although for some odd reason the SM sells for a higher price. The SMDV cases that were 14k gold or gold filled were made in the US by several manufacturers like Jonnel (J with an arrow symbol).

.... named for the 30 mm calibers used inside I think.

 

Yep. The 30t2 based movements. Mine is a caliber 286 case red 135.007 with an 1168 bracelet and 605 end links

 

hi out there. you seem to know a LOT about these watches.

if i could ask a question. i have a seamaster deville black dial, serial points to 1966. why is the omega logo on top ? not above the OMEGA name as others. was that one of the permutations of the time? i know that some were made in south america, argentina perhaps during those years. also, it has no 6 or, 12, 3 & 9. kinda that the dial takes over.

any info you could pass along will be awesome!

peace!

 

Got a feeling you have a redialed watch.....

 

Got a feeling you may be right.

We would need clearly focussed pictures to be sure. I've seen other examples like this but can't remember if they turned out to be original or not.

 

Many SM De Villes have a 552 movement. I understood that 550s were largely used for the US market to keep down import duty. Did a time come when that was no longer necessary, or did the De Ville brand end up going global, or is there some other explanation?

 

For clarification, the 600 movements were as follows:

600, 601, and 602 - no date

610, 611, and 613 - date

Cheers, Al

 

Surely that must be a redial and a bad one at that? Whoever was doing it lost the 12 marker and stuck the Omega symbol there instead?

 

thanks for the help! here are some pics that i just took with the 'better' iphone7 plus camera. so much for that. the watch is a nice looking piece. the guy has a long history and good ratings. i am puzzled however about the logo where the 12 is.

this is what the posting said when i got it:

Stunning Omega Seamaster DeVille SS Automatic Date Black Dial Gent's Watch

Movement = Excellent Condition, Original Omega Automatic 24 Jewels Caliber # 562
Dial = Mint Condition, Original Omega Mint Dial Professionally Refinished Cross hair Black Color, applied Silver Hour Markers, set of original Omega Silver hands , looks very nice.
Case = Excellent condition, All stainless steel case top and back, Case refer #14770 Diameter 34.5mm w/o Crown X 41 mm from lug to lug. Seamaster at the case back.
Crown and Crystal = Original New Omega Signed Crown, New after market Crystal.
Case Ref # / Movement Reference # / Box & Paper
14770 SC / 2306XXXX ( 1966 ) NO NO
Watch Signed 5 times @ Case X 2, Dial, Movement & Crown.
Condition =Watch recent serviced, Runs in Excellent Condition, Free 18mm black Leather Strap band with SS Buckle.

 

"Original Omega Mint Dial Professionally Refinished"

Says it all right there...

 

Hello, I am new to this forum, but bought myself in 1968 a handwound Seamaster de Ville, no date. Does anybody know what kind of box was supplied with this watch? That time I git no box when I bought the watch new.

 

Hello, I'm new on this forum, does anyone know the differences between an omega 14910, 14770 and 166.020? Periods of production? Calibers? 14910 (cal 560 or 562 only)seems to be the same than 166.020 (cal 562 or 565 only). Does the 166.020 follow the 14910. I though the 14770 had a caliber 560 only, and was previous to 1962? But I'm not sure... Many thanks for your answers...