Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have a friend who is selling his nice omega vintage watches collection. Among his timepieces there is a SeaMaster ref. 166.028 in fantastic conditions (it still have an original shark leather strap), the only thing that I’m really not sure about it is the movement: this watch cases a cal. 565, but what I know is that it should have a cal 563 for the non chronometer version or the cal 564 for the chronometer version... I’m missing something or that cal 565 is not the correct movement for that SeaMaster?

He is swearing that he bought the watch from an old AD 20 years ago and he didn’t touch it since then.

Thank you very much to everyone who is going to help me to resolve this mystery.

 

I think a 565 could be correct, someone please correct me if i am wrong. My 166.028 has a 563 movement but is a USA market watch which might have made a difference.

 

There is nothing wrong with the cal 565 in a ref 166.028 Seamaster. As mentioned before the cal 563 was mainly made for the us market (less jewels -> lower import duties...)

 

Fabulous Watch!!! Thank you very much for your reply!! Yours is in pristine condition!!

According to that, how much will you evaluate one 166.028 in NOS condition??

Once again, thank you very much.

 

Fantastic then!! Same question for you: how much would you pay for one in NOS condition??

Thank you very much for your answer!!

 

I for myself wouldn’t necessarily pay the premium for a NOS piece as I prefer to wear my watches so scratches are inevitable... I guess a NOS piece could go for something in between 800 to 1500 bucks depending on the actual condition (traces of storage, damage due to moisture etc.). I would suggest to do some google searches to get a better grip on the prices...

 

Here is my very similar 166.032 sparkle dial which obviously has a day date configuration, also in near mint condition. They wear very well at 37mm. I do like the red hand on the 028, though it looks a little incongruous on what is otherwise quite a dressy piece. I had to look that up to see if it was original fit but it seems it was. Some 028s did seem to use the 563 but there are some out there with 565s and it is just a quick set version of the same so wouldn’t surprise me. As mentioned above by @Henneth the 563 is likely just the 17j US market version so both are correct. I would expect the OP watch to be from circa 1968-9.

What would I pay for a mint sparkle dial? Well no more than a grand (USD) certainly, no matter what condition, preferably rather less. NOS is a spurious concept anyway. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of a service, it’ll need one. If it’s been serviced then by definition it’s not NOS.

 

I probably wouldn't go more than $600USD. But I am a pretty cheap bastard.

 

First of all, thank you very much for your answer!!

I know that sometimes NOS is not better than a good pre-owned, but in this specific situation I had a closer look to the watch and it is in pristine condition! Of course, if I will buy it I will do for wearing and enjoying that watch, but my friend’s example of the 166.028 is in pretty damn good condition.

 

Your 166.032 sparkle dial is a beautiful example of that reference by omega. I can see that the conditions on that piece are literally amazing.

Regarding the 166.028, the red second hand is what I really like!! It looks sporty and very casual... my friend sent me some picture about the movement as well and it is in brand new condition!! As you said, it is a 27,9 million than it should be around 1969. In addition, I have talked with my friend about the service and he told me that he is going to pay it if I will buy the watch... I really don’t know what to do...

I guess that I have to think about it a little bit, but at the moment I’m getting my SeaMaster 300 built, so I will probably pass. Anyway, it still a fantastic watch!!

Thank you very much for your help!!

 

Ok, I can understand, my friend is asking around 700 British pound and they are more than 600 US dollar... definitely!!

I will probably pass on this one and buy a nice NOS 1171 bracelet from omega when my SeaMaster will be ready...

 

£700 sounds at the top end but if that includes a service then it isn't all that bad, since a proper service is worth £200+. I would be tempted at that price if it's as good as you say. Mine is fully serviced and while its not for sale, I wouldn't let it go for much less than that.

 

I don't know if your valuation assessments include the bracelet and end pieces, but I'm thinking those are worth at least a couple hundred alone?

 

Both watches pictured above are not the one the OP is asking about. That one, which is not shown, has a shark leather strap.

 

True, but it depends from who is doing the service... anyway, i’m Still thinking to pass it and focus on my SeaMaster 300 WatchCo!!

 

Definitely!! 200 bucks all day long for one of those watches in NOS conditions!!

 

Very True!! Sorry to create a little bit of confusion... I have to learn how to post pictures with my iPad on this platform!! Sorry guys!!