Help assessing my 166.003 and 14763

Elfrenez · Mar 12, 2021

Hi there OF,

This is my first time posting on this forum.
I recently found myself in the possession of 2 watches that I presume are Omega Seamasters from the 1960's.
I have done a bit of research on this forum and on "the internets" before posting and I would like to know if you might help me sort out what is wrong with these watches.

From what I can see inside, it seems that one of them would be a 14763 (ref 166.010 ? form 1961 from serial number) with cal. 562 as the other one would be a 166.003 (from 1964 from serial number) with a cal. 562 as well.

My assessment for the 166.003:
Based on this thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/thoughts-on-1965-omega-seamaster-166-003-redial.41773/
- Dial & Indexes : For me this is a not a redial but a re-indexed dial. I can see glue under the indexes. Double index at 12 seems misaligned. Index at 5 o'clock seems different from the other ones. Omega, Seamaster and Swiss Made font seems okey.
- Hands: Seems to match the indexes (lume with lume) but seconds hand to short.
- Case: okey-ish except for the glue on the bezel and scratches on the back.
- Crown: Original ?
- Movement: looks okey-ish but gasket needs to be replaced
Questions:
- How can I remove glue markings ?
- Is it worth something As-Is ?
- Is it worth replacing indexes and second hand ?

My assessment for the 14763 :
- Dial & Indexes : No minute track is bothering me as well as the indexes. They seems not to be so common. Omega, Seamaster and Swiss Made font seems okey.
- Hands: original and good condition ?
- Case: unpolished but big scratches on the back + Omega sign on the glass
- Crown: Original ?
- Movement: looks clean
Questions:
- Is ref 14763 equivalent to 166.010 ?
- Is there anything wrong ?
- How much is it worth As-Is (Ball park number) ?

Thank you for your help in assessing these 2 watches !

Wlcutter · Mar 12, 2021

I think you're basically accurate on both of these. Some of your questions have simple answers: can you get the glue off a case/bezel (yes, usually); can you get the glue off a dial (in my experience no, not without some mark being left); are they original crowns (I'd say yes on the .003, no on the 14763). All the questions about value on these--are they worth being fixed/replaced, what are they worth as-is--are difficult bordering (imo) on impossible. In my experience/estimation, these watches are really great, but the dial is (to me) 90% of the game; both these dials are pretty rough, and would make me unlikely to have much interest, personally. But who knows.

As far as the Q about 14763 and 166.010: I've yet to see a for-sure answer about that, but they're clearly very similar, if not identical. My 14744 and 166.024 are also the same:

masteroftime · Mar 12, 2021

I can make some comments about the 14726, but I'm far from an expert.

Elfrenez
Is ref 14763 equivalent to 166.010 ?

Not "equivalent" but a predecessor. It is part of the line of evolution of the model. I only have a 166.010 and a 2975 which is the successor and predecessor respectively, so I can't make a certain comment about variations between it and the 166.010. There are some minor variations from a quick look.

Elfrenez
Is there anything wrong ?

I believe this would have had a minute track, so it is possible that the dial was cleaned at one point and the minute markers were removed. It may be glare but the mainplate seems to have some brassing, so there may be a rotor issue that needs to be addressed (not a huge problem and somewhat common on these movements). This is a point of debate, but I believe the crown isn't original to the model, but rather a more modern replacement (also not a huge issue because most of these have a more modern replacement).

Elfrenez
How much is it worth As-Is (Ball park number) ?

Probably $350-450

SkunkPrince · Mar 12, 2021

I think I would try to move these on unless you really like one or both and want to keep them forever. If you did, I would likely send these to Omega and let them refinish the dials. It is my belief that a factory refinish is somewhat better than some random dial company. This would likely be more expensive than these watches are worth on the open market after service, so again only if you plan on keeping them forever.

Me, personally, I would send in the 14763 and sell the other.

masteroftime · Mar 12, 2021

Wlcutter
As far as the Q about 14763 and 166.010: I've yet to see a for-sure answer about that, but they're clearly very similar, if not identical. My 14744 and 166.024 are also the same:

I believe you have a 168.024. That is the chronometer version of the 166.010. With the exception of the writing on the dial and caseback, they are identical.

Between the 14763 and 166.010, the only noticeable differences that I've seen is the coathanger "S" in Seamaster and some variations in the bezel. OP's seems to have a notch in the bezel and I've seen that a few times previously. I'm not sure about yours, but I don't have a notch on my 166.010.

Spruce · Mar 12, 2021

Both watches from what I regard as the golden age of Omega watch design and both, being stainless steel, capable of being dressed up or dressed down.

I have a later 166.010 and don’t wear it as often as it deserves but I wear my 165.003 more than any of my other watches.

The .003 case is a classic shape and the indented profile and semi hidden crown complete it. I prefer the dauphine hands to the later 60s stick hands.

I’d hang onto both and spend on getting them running well and looking nice. I have looked for 003s and there are fewer out there than you might imagine

Elfrenez · Mar 13, 2021

Many thanks for all your answers and taking the time to help me with these watches !

Wlcutter
I think you're basically accurate on both of these

Ok nice to know I was not that far with my own assessment ! These are some nice watches you have. I would love to find a matching bracelet for one of the two I got.

masteroftime
Not "equivalent" but a predecessor.

Thank you for the detailed answer and explaining the logic here. I find it difficult to find my way around this lineage of models !
I will rename the post 14763 I think. Thank you also for your opinion about the minute track. I indeed think there should be one to. But maybe there are some dial exceptions? Who knows ? Also glad to have a approximate value one this one.

masteroftime
the mainplate seems to have some brassing

I am not familiar with that term "brassing" (I am french). Do you refer to the more golden color on the main plate ?
Might this be due to the rotor touching the main plate ? Suggesting I should get it serviced ?

SkunkPrince
Me, personally, I would send in the 14763 and sell the other.

I actually agree with this. I tend to lean more towards the 14763 in terms of design. I will try to do some research and get some quotes on what needs to be done and then decide If I only keep the 14763 or both of them.

masteroftime
OP's seems to have a notch in the bezel and I've seen that a few times previously.

Yeah I noticed that too. I have one on both of them. Is it something normal or should I worry about it ?

Spruce
Both watches from what I regard as the golden age of Omega watch design and both, being stainless steel, capable of being dressed up or dressed down.
I have a later 166.010 and don’t wear it as often as it deserves but I wear my 165.003 more than any of my other watches.
The .003 case is a classic shape and the indented profile and semi hidden crown complete it. I prefer the dauphine hands to the later 60s stick hands.
I’d hang onto both and spend on getting them running well and looking nice. I have looked for 003s and there are fewer out there than you might imagine

Thank you very much for this comment. I do agree. I really like the design even though I would personally prefer the 14763 over the .003
I will try to do some research and get some quotes on what needs to be done and then decide what I do with them.

A few others questions:
- From what I understand I should go directly through Omega rather than an independent watch repair shop ? Can I get a quote before sending them ?
- Even thought they are the same cal (562) when I wind them, they don't make the same noise. The 14763 is more "sandy". I guess I should have it serviced ?
- Do you know what the 1 in the Omega logo on the movement Cal. (above the 562) means ?

Thank you for your help.

SkunkPrince · Mar 13, 2021

Elfrenez
A few others questions:
- From what I understand I should go directly through Omega rather than an independent watch repair shop ? Can I get a quote before sending them ?
- Even thought they are the same cal (562) when I wind them, they don't make the same noise. The 14763 is more "sandy". I guess I should have it serviced ?
- Do you know what the 1 in the Omega logo on the movement Cal. (above the 562) means ?

Thank you for your help.

I suggest Omega because they can refinish the dial much better than anyone else. If you are satisfied with the dial, then any authoriized repair will do.

Yes, the 14763 requires servicing. I haven't seen an "old watch" that hasn't.

The 1 in the Omega symbol is an indicator of the parts that hold the hands. Same movement in different watches might have differently-shaped dials so those parts have to be a specific size, and this 1 indicates which size to the watchmaker.

Elfrenez · Mar 14, 2021

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions !

SkunkPrince
The 1 in the Omega symbol is an indicator of the parts that hold the hands. Same movement in different watches might have differently-shaped dials so those parts have to be a specific size, and this 1 indicates which size to the watchmaker.

Learning every day.

Being new to the vintage omega community - I could even say to the vintage watch community - I cannot stress enough how much this forum is useful and helpful on a lot of levels. Many thanks.

Elfrenez · Mar 15, 2021

masteroftime
I believe the crown isn't original to the model, but rather a more modern replacement

I have been browsing 14763's on the web but I noticed most of them had different crowns. Certainly due to replacements.

Would you have an example of what the original crown should look like ?
Looking at this thread I could find that original crown should be ref. 42055
https://omegaforums.net/threads/crown-glass-gasket-list.81619/

From what I see it looks very similar to mine?

Help assessing my 166.003 and 14763

Elfrenez

Wlcutter

masteroftime

SkunkPrince

masteroftime

Spruce

Elfrenez

SkunkPrince

Elfrenez

Elfrenez

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