Community Stories

My Early Seamaster 120 Divers. What to look for and what to avoid.

P
Posts
4
Likes
2
Hi guys

I purchased this Omega Seamaster 166.027 from eBay which arrived today.

Something feels a little off with it. The condition seems a bit too good considering the age. The bezels spins but doesn’t click.

It has gone through the eBay Authenticator although I’m not sure if that’s worth the paper it’s written on.

Any opinions appreciated. Good to know sooner rather than later so that I can return if needed. Thanks in advance

IMG_2888.webp IMG_2889.webp IMG_2890.webp IMG_2891.webp IMG_2892.webp IMG_2893.webp IMG_2894.webp IMG_2895.webp IMG_2896.webp IMG_2897.webp
 
sonicosa
Posts
1,025
Likes
2,509
Case is quite polished and it has the wrong crown, otherwise looks fine to me. What did you pay.
 
KaiseRRuby
Posts
206
Likes
686
@pnh maybe someone managed to get a NOS bezel or a replacement from Omega (if its still available). I do agree, it looks brandnew with even the lumedot intact, which is quite uncommon. Mine looks wayyy more faded.

IMG_20250601_152848.webp
 
Davidt
Posts
12,876
Likes
22,265
P pnh
Hi guys

I purchased this Omega Seamaster 166.027 from eBay which arrived today.

Something feels a little off with it. The condition seems a bit too good considering the age. The bezels spins but doesn’t click.

It has gone through the eBay Authenticator although I’m not sure if that’s worth the paper it’s written on.

Any opinions appreciated. Good to know sooner rather than later so that I can return if needed. Thanks in advance

IMG_2888.webp IMG_2889.webp IMG_2890.webp IMG_2891.webp IMG_2892.webp IMG_2893.webp IMG_2894.webp IMG_2895.webp IMG_2896.webp IMG_2897.webp

Looks genuine.

The bezels on these don’t click. They’re are held in place by a spring with no mechanism for a click.

Bezels haven’t been available from Omega for donkeys but it’s not so unusual to see one’s with nice bezels.

Here’s a few I’ve had with original bezels in great condition.

IMG_7571.webp IMG_1971.webp IMG_5437.webp


IMG_2729.webp
 
P
Posts
4
Likes
2
Thanks for the advice, good to know that it seems legit.
 
M'Bob
Posts
7,092
Likes
23,002
hmmmcamu hmmmcamu
BOR bracelets are after market option offered by Omega dealers at the time ... the OMEGA 120 " SKIN DIVER " was sold with a leather strap standard

Anyone know if the buckle on the leather strap was originally 16mm or 18mm?
 
vb
Posts
12
Likes
1
Hi, can someone help me? I'm trying to get better at spotting fakes! In my opinion, the bezel, case, and crown are fake here. But the caseback and dial seem original? The movement isn't a 552, but I've read that the 550 was used on some models—is that true? Anyway, the serial number (17xxxxxx) seems a bit low for a late 1960s model, doesn't it? Thanks a lot for your answers!

Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-32-47-30_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-32-56-81_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-32-59-40_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-33-02-83_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-33-32-30_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp
 
KaiseRRuby
Posts
206
Likes
686
@vb dial is also not original, based on how 120 is written.

Compare the dials, I see lots of differences. Mine is on the right.

Screenshot_2025-07-01-13-04-26-111_com.google.android.apps.photos.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-13-07-23-886_com.google.android.apps.photos.webp
Edited:
 
Davidt
Posts
12,876
Likes
22,265
vb vb
Hi, can someone help me? I'm trying to get better at spotting fakes! In my opinion, the bezel, case, and crown are fake here. But the caseback and dial seem original? The movement isn't a 552, but I've read that the 550 was used on some models—is that true? Anyway, the serial number (17xxxxxx) seems a bit low for a late 1960s model, doesn't it? Thanks a lot for your answers!

Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-32-47-30_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-32-56-81_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-32-59-40_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-33-02-83_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-01-11-33-32-30_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp

Well the case, caseback and bezel are certainly fake. The dial isn’t the typical fake dial we usually see but it does have issues so there’s a high likelihood it’s fake as well. Ultimately it doesn’t matter as so much of the watch is fake it’s a definite pass.
 
vb
Posts
12
Likes
1
Hello, sorry for all these posts ! Found this one and it's look legit to me but i really need a feedback before go ahead! Thank you

Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-15-38-51_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-15-45-56_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-15-49-95_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-16-01-00_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-16-09-00_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-16-13-51_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp
 
KaiseRRuby
Posts
206
Likes
686
Ah, the no-date. Cool one. I think the crown is off, bezel and dial look legit but the photos are not that crisp. Never seen that case back, my case back looks different then this one.
 
ZWD
Posts
70
Likes
37
that one has been on ebay for a while.
Suspect caseback. Incorrect crown. Bezel is way worn down.
 
KaiseRRuby
Posts
206
Likes
686
And when I zoom in at the dial, I'm not positive. Strange font.
 
Davidt
Posts
12,876
Likes
22,265
vb vb
Hello, sorry for all these posts ! Found this one and it's look legit to me but i really need a feedback before go ahead! Thank you

Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-15-38-51_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-15-45-56_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-15-49-95_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-16-01-00_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-16-09-00_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp Screenshot_2025-07-02-22-16-13-51_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.webp

Have you got an eBay link. The pictures are poor but in first glance it looks ok with the exception of the caseback but I’d like to see the original pictures.

It looks ok but smells fishy is perhaps a better way of putting it.
 
vb
Posts
12
Likes
1
Davidt Davidt
Have you got an eBay link. The pictures are poor but in first glance it looks ok with the exception of the caseback but I’d like to see the original pictures.

It looks ok but smells fishy is perhaps a better way of putting it.
Hello, here the link https://ebay.us/m/3F6NiA
 
KeyWestPaw
Posts
523
Likes
948
In my experience. There's a lot of these out there and buying the seller is usually the best way to go if you're not keen to all the nuances of this watch (or any specific watch for that matter).
Find someone that does know more about it than you do and ask all the questions.
Buying from random websites like eBay or Chrono that you can't do the due diligence, is the first mistake.
I've been on different watch forums for many years and I've learned that patience when looking for a specific model is key I found seamasters and speedmasters that were 100% original, they came to me from people I've had nice conversations with that did the research, the due diligence, or knew the origination of the watch.
I've never purchased a vintage piece from any of the other sites. Too many frankenwatches out there.
I have bought pieces that I've known weren't original, but I knew which parts were not.
Buying vintage watches can be a nightmare.
Try to buy the seller first, or do a ton of research to find your dream watch.
Of course that's just my two cents.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

ASE

Fair price and what to look for

ASE Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
ASE
ASE
Posts
3
Views
1K