Help Finding My 1st Vintage Omega

S Stefan Something

Is there a big difference in the availability of parts for the 562, 551 and 564 vs the 552/565. Based on my limited knowledge the 562 was the international version, are there big differences between that and the movement sold in the US?

S Stefan Something

That's really helpful, thanks for sharing!

Saw this one on Chrono24, its reference 166.067 with a 565 movement. Seems to check most of my requirements and looks in good shape, to my eye. Just not sure about the case shape itself, anyone have any experience with this version? If you have any thoughts please let me know.

Here is the link https://www.chrono24.com/omega/seamaster--id31296140.htm

Many thanks!

S Stefan Something

Any of these references that you prefer, any of these you would stay away from or any that I might have missed? Really appreciate any guidance that you would be able to share!

Shabbaz

I prefer this design

krogerfoot

I’m going to put in another vote for the 166.010/168.024 family (which would include the non-date versions) because there’s a lot of choice out there and because the design is a great place to start, whether you end up like the rest of us as a collector or choose sanity. Get one on a beads-of-rice bracelet, because why wouldn’t you.

The 166.010 design sits right in the middle of an aesthetic that kind of clarifies your taste in watches. You can draw a straight line from there to almost any other classic watch design, whether it’s toward the Rolex Datejust and that kind of thing, or back in time to the 1950s-style Seamaster line, or go up and down in size between older 33-34mm designs or bigger watches, especially chronographs. On yet another axis, the watch is kind of like a sport coat, in the way it has its origins as a rugged tool but now signifies sporty fashion, so you can go from there to tool watches or the opposite way to more dedicated dress watches.

If you ever end up getting a second watch, the 166.010 Seamaster line kind of anchors your rotation. It’s dressier than a tool watch or most chronographs, sportier than any dress watch, has a cooler vintage vibe than more modern designs and looks like a 1960s Corvette compared to older ones. If you get one and find it too middle-of-the-road, you can always sell it and get something more in the direction you’re inclined to, or keep it in your collection because you’ll always enjoy going back to it after wearing pretty much anything else. That’s the way I see it, at least.