Help with: Omega Seamaster cal. 565 166.037

klook31 · Jul 31, 2025

Hi everyone!

I wanted to get a second opinion on this Seamaster. To my untrained eye, and from what I have been learning on here, it looks generally fine. I am confused with the dial, esp. towards the bottom. Is that discoloration/ fading or just a glow/ angle issue? I think I can see a similar glow on other such watches.

Hands and crown look ok to me. I cannot see the Omega sign on the plexi but it otherwise seems good. Case and bracelet seem acceptable also.

I know next to nothing about watch movements but this one seems a bit ... tired - especially the peripheral parts.

The back of the case is missing the usual 'Seamaster' and the hippo sign. These are usually present in other 166.037s.

Another thing is that there appear to be two or three Japanese sellers who buy these from each other and re-list them. Is this be a red flag? I came across this very watch twice or thrice while looking up other Seamasters.

And some comments on here from late last year mention that similar Seamasters can be found, with some patience, for $500-650. Needless to say, I have not encountered any for anything close to that!

Would appreciate any comments.

Thanks!

stormysky10 · Jul 31, 2025

Overall, this watch looks correct to me.

The lighting is very bright white, making it tough to tell how the dial would look like under natural conditions. There is pitting in several areas. Unless there's proof of a movement service, assume you need one if you're planning to wear this watch daily. This reference (166.037) shows up as a Seamaster but also as a Geneve (and sometimes Seamaster + Geneve). I've seen examples with and without the hippocampus on the caseback. If that's important to you, wait for one that has it.

The same item may be cross-listed by several eBay sellers in Japan. Pick the seller who is offering the best deal and/or appears most reputable.

You should be able to find a Seamaster for $500 - $650 given enough patience.

Passover · Jul 31, 2025

Some points:

If you live outside Japan you will have to pay VAT on top if you import a watch from there.

If you take a closer look you see this:

Don't know what it is but if it was just dirt they probably would have removed it.

The bracelet is quite short and damaged:

So you have 800$ + Shipment (?) + VAT + a service for a not rare, medium quality watch

Where are you located btw?

klook31 · Jul 31, 2025

Passover
Some points:

If you live outside Japan you will have to pay VAT on top if you import a watch from there.

If you take a closer look you these this:

Don't know what it is but if it was just dirt they probably would have removed it.

The bracelet is quite short and damaged:

So you have 800$ + Shipment (?) + VAT + a service for a not rare, medium quality watch

Where are you located btw?

Thank you. Yes, the VAT is a serious consideration. It is 20% if imported to the UK (current location) but I think does not apply if imported to the US (winter location). If the de minimis exemption still exists, that is, and for watches under $800.

I have been sticking to the $750-800 price range because it is nearest to the $500-650 range mentioned on this forum for this type of watch. There are some Seamasters at $950 and up that are Near Mint and would be more straightforward to buy, in terms of condition, but prices are starting to get out of hand!

Something I have not done, but perhaps I should, is ask around at local stores and watchmakers. I had thought it would be easiest to find online, but has not been thus far!

Porteroso · Jul 31, 2025

klook31
Thank you. Yes, the VAT is a serious consideration. It is 20% if imported to the UK (current location) but I think does not apply if imported to the US (winter location). If the de minimis exemption still exists, that is, and for watches under $800.

I have been sticking to the $750-800 price range because it is nearest to the $500-650 range mentioned on this forum for this type of watch. There are some Seamasters at $950 and up that are Near Mint and would be more straightforward to buy, in terms of condition, but prices are starting to get out of hand!

Something I have not done, but perhaps I should, is ask around at local stores and watchmakers. I had thought it would be easiest to find online, but has not been thus far!

Are you watching the vintage for sale on ebay thread? Seamasters like this end up going for $600-800 all the time. Sometimes they dip down to 500.

But if you've been looking for a year already, enough with the patience I say! Yeah if you wait 30 more years you will find a real steal, but go ahead and buy a watch in the meantime!

Davidt · Jul 31, 2025

Some of the prices often quoted by experienced collectors need to be taken in context.

1. They often have significant collections already so aren’t in a rush to find a new watch.

2. They often have a list of multiple models they’re on the lookout for. Yes, they may buy one very couple of months but if you select a single watch at random from that list it may take years to find it at a price:condition ratio. They’re happy with.
I just bought a technical dial seamaster that I’ve been looking for for 8 years!

3. They are experienced at seeing the diamond in the rough and are willing to gamble slightly and act quick when they feel the odds are in their favour with poor picture's etc.

4. It is more expensive to buy vintage watches in the UK.

So all that considered, it’s not a realistic expectation for a new collector to find a very good 60’s seamaster with bracelet for £375-500 in the UK.
Can it happen - yes.
Is it likely - not if you’re looking for a specific model and don’t have sufficient experience to act quickly with confidence.

A more realistic figure for a new collector who wants a nice 60’s seamaster in a reasonable timeframe in the UK is more like £500-750 (especially if you want a bracelet)

klook31 · Jul 31, 2025

Davidt
Some of the prices often quoted by experienced collectors need to be taken in context.

1. They often have significant collections already so aren’t in a rush to find a new watch.

2. They often have a list of multiple models they’re on the lookout for. Yes, they may buy one very couple of months but if you select a single watch at random from that list it may take years to find it at a price:condition ratio. They’re happy with.
I just bought a technical dial seamaster that I’ve been looking for for 8 years!

3. They are experienced at seeing the diamond in the rough and are willing to gamble slightly and act quick when they feel the odds are in their favour with poor picture's etc.

4. It is more expensive to buy vintage watches in the UK.

So all that considered, it’s not a realistic expectation for a new collector to find a very good 60’s seamaster with bracelet for £375-500 in the UK.
Can it happen - yes.
Is it likely - not if you’re looking for a specific model and don’t have sufficient experience to act quickly with confidence.

A more realistic figure for a new collector who wants a nice 60’s seamaster in a reasonable timeframe in the UK is more like £500-750 (especially if you want a bracelet)

Thank you - yes, I am starting to realize it is a waiting game! It is probably also that experienced collectors are more comfortable handling any imperfections on their own which can save on cost too.

Something about bracelets: I don't like them! I would be swapping to a leather strap. Would this be an uncommon move? Obviously if an original Omega bracelet is included then all the better for the collectability and value of the item, but I would not really use it!

Congrats on the new seamaster!

Porteroso · Jul 31, 2025

klook31
Thank you - yes, I am starting to realize it is a waiting game! It is probably also that experienced collectors are more comfortable handling any imperfections on their own which can save on cost too.

Something about bracelets: I don't like them! I would be swapping to a leather strap. Would this be an uncommon move? Obviously if an original Omega bracelet is included then all the better for the collectability and value of the item, but I would not really use it!

Congrats on the new seamaster!

Many people swap for leather. Do whatever you want!

klook31 · Jul 31, 2025

Porteroso
Are you watching the vintage for sale on ebay thread? Seamasters like this end up going for $600-800 all the time. Sometimes they dip down to 500.

But if you've been looking for a year already, enough with the patience I say! Yeah if you wait 30 more years you will find a real steal, but go ahead and buy a watch in the meantime!

I only recently turned to this forum because I started losing my sanity so have missed all the seamaster's posted there. But I did a search and found the thread so now have it pinned. Fingers crossed! Perhaps when I reach 200 posts I can also put up a WTB post of my own!

Honestly I am close to getting a watch, even if slightly overpriced. What has stopped me so far is the extra VAT I will have to pay. Fine to pay for a better watch, but a complete waste if it goes to the taxman!

Passover · Jul 31, 2025

klook31
Obviously if an original Omega bracelet is included then all the better for the collectability and value of the item, but I would not really use it!

A good bead of rice bracelet including end links represents a value between 150 and 200 $/€ depending of type, length and condition

Knebo · Jul 31, 2025

klook31

Looking at the state of the caseback gasket, you definitely have to price in a service.

Porteroso · Jul 31, 2025

klook31
I only recently turned to this forum because I started losing my sanity so have missed all the seamaster's posted there. But I did a search and found the thread so now have it pinned. Fingers crossed! Perhaps when I reach 200 posts I can also put up a WTB post of my own!

Honestly I am close to getting a watch, even if slightly overpriced. What has stopped me so far is the extra VAT I will have to pay. Fine to pay for a better watch, but a complete waste if it goes to the taxman!

There are quite a few watches in that thread sold in the UK. Dsio will normally even point them out.

Davidt · Jul 31, 2025

I’d generally advise buying a watch from the UK if you’re in the UK. I occasionally buy from abroad but it’s a low percentage as the 20% plus handling fees is significant.
The UK is just a smaller market so options/opportunities are reduced.

Regarding imperfections, you have to know what can be easily resolved and what can’t. For example, I always look for mint dials under a knackered crystal. Crystals can be swapped easily, as can crowns, but an overpolished case or damaged dial is what it is and can’t be improved easily.

To a layperson, a filthy watch with a terribly scratched crystal is a watch that needs a lot of work. To me, it’s an hour to clean it and replace the crystal and it looks immeasurably better if the dial is good.

Not an Omega but here’s an example. I got this cheap as it look horrendous. But the main components, dial, case, movement were solid. It ‘just’ needed a new crystal, pusher, clean, relume of the hands and full service. Had the dial been bad it would have been a no go.

Help with: Omega Seamaster cal. 565 166.037

klook31

stormysky10

Passover

klook31

Porteroso

Davidt

klook31

Porteroso

klook31

Passover

Knebo

Porteroso

Davidt

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