First Square Seamaster?

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Melhadary

·Dec 6, 2012

I've always been into square/rectangular watches, and been trying to find a square Seamaster piece to represent that style within the Seamaster collection. I ran into this 166.0042, and read somewhere that this was the first square SM ever produced... is that true?

 

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gatorcpa

·Dec 6, 2012·ΩF InvestiGator

Could be. There were several earlier watches that used a square case that had the same movements as the Seamaster line, but likely were not water resistant. Probably because Omega didn't have screw-in casebacks or O-rings to fit the square cases at that time.

gatorcpa

 

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Dash1

·Dec 7, 2012

What kind of year is it? My guess is late 60's.

 

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Melhadary

·Dec 7, 2012

This is the Omega Vintage Database info on this watch:

Seamaster Compressor
Gents' Metal Bracelet
Dimensions: 33,5 x 33,5 mm
Reference
ST 166.0042
International collection
1968 - 1975
Movement
Type: Automatic (mechanical)
Caliber number: 565
Created in 1965
24 jewels
Central sweep-second hand
Functions
Date
Case
Stainless steel
Case back
Key-bolt compressor
Dial
Silvered or blue, with luminous metal "stick" hands and large luminous hour markers.
Crystal
Hesalite
Bracelet
Stainless steel (attached)
Water resistance
30 meters

 

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Melhadary

·Dec 7, 2012

gatorcpa

Could be. There were several earlier watches that used a square case that had the same movements as the Seamaster line, but likely were not water resistant. Probably because Omega didn't have screw-in casebacks or O-rings to fit the square cases at that time.

gatorcpa

I believe the Key bolt Compressor was the solution to the round O-ring problem, and it was introduced in this model.... this is why I'm thinking its the first SM that was square, but I was looking for any verified source of confirmation of this.

 

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X350 XJR

·Dec 7, 2012·Vintage Omega Aficionado

 

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Melhadary

·Dec 7, 2012

X350 XJR

Very nice 😀

This is the "dressier" more classic version released a couple of years after the initial sporty divers watch dial style above.... very elegant 👍

 

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Melhadary

·Dec 8, 2012

For all interested, I found some great reading and info on this beauty here:

http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2011/04/omega-seamaster-166042-compressor.html

and

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f102/o...-ref-166-042-ultimate-dress-watch-708400.html

 

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astrosfan

·Dec 8, 2012

Had no idea Omega released a Compressor cased watch. It is really great looking too!