MANUAL WIND VERSION
circa: 1967
OMEGA SEAMASTER 120 SKIN DIVER
OMEGA branded single crown with screw down case back watch case made by Ervin Piquerez S.A aka: EPSA case ref.# - 135.027
Mvmnt: OMEGA CALIBER 601 MANUAL WIND / NO DATE complication POWER RESERVE 48 HOURS.
Correct Stainless Steel Bracelet - OMEGA SS bracelet ref.# No.11 OST- 1098, Ω and 19MM ref.# 547 end links.
THE CASE BACK for Manual Wind ...
Case back is
CHEMICALLY ENGRAVED, not etched or stamped. The chemical engraving results in a lightly-etched Hippocampus (Seahorse) symbol, along with the Omega logo and the text "SEAMASTER 120 WATERPROOF". The engraving should be shallow, and
DEEPER ENGRAVINGS are indicative of fakes or Frankenwatches.
The case back of the manual-wind references
is FLAT, unlike the domed case backs of the automatic models.
OMEGA FACTORY BRACELET ref# 1098 and ENDLINK ref# 547
case references
135.027 (manual, no date),
136.027 (manual, with date),
165.027 (automatic, no date)
166.027 (automatic, with date)
Era / Period correct and factory original for both the manual wind and automatic models of the Seamaster 120 Skin Diver line is the
Omega No.11 stainless steel bracelet, reference 0ST-1098 and 19mm end links, reference #547 based on Omega catalogue images.
Despite seeing many examples today on different stainless steel bracelets this is the accurate pairing seen on official Omega catalogues.
AUTOMATIC MODELS
with BLACK DATE WHEEL are around BUT ...
There is no documented evidence in official Omega advertisements, catalogues that the Seamaster 120 with a date complication was ever factory-equipped with a black date wheel. No verified proof has been presented in advertisements or official Omega materials, and such a feature remains unconfirmed. Therefore, the presence of a black date wheel is considered non-standard based on official Omega materials, adverts, vintage catalogue. The images that are around / posted are potentially indicative of aftermarket modifications.
if anyone has found official Omega documentation that show an automatic Seamaster 120 with a black date wheel please share it with us ...
SAFETY RED (orange?) SECONDS SWEEP PYLON / BATON
The Seamaster 120 also came with a safety RED (orange?) seconds sweep pylon as evidenced by an image from the
Omega catalogue introduction for the SEAMASTER 120, image is shared below. It should be noted in the catalogue image
the safety red seconds sweep baton/pylon is exactly the same as the white colored baton/pylon.
There have been 120s' that have a SAFETY RED PYLON installed from an Omega Geneve Admiralty model it is an elongated triangular RED pylon/baton. This could be a sign of aftermarket modification such as a watch maker repair job - cannibalization for parts no longer in production, and or a franken watch.
The Gentleman's SEAMASTER 120 came in 4 models:
Case ref.# - 135.027 ....... Manual Movement, No Date, Caliber 601
Case ref.# - 136.027 ........ Manual Movement, with Date, Caliber 611 / 613
Case ref.# - 165.027 ........ Auto Movement, No Date, Caliber 552
Case ref.# - 166.027 ........ Auto Movement, with Date, Cailber 565
BRACELET and STRAP options
*** 19MM SS bracelet ref.# 1098 ref.# 547 endlinks
*** 19MM Best Fit Swiss Tropic MOD DEP rubber diver strap
*** 19MM Corfam both smooth or perforated style
this is a water repellent synthetic material designed to mimic real leather
The 120 if purchased with a stainless steel bracelet would have came from OMEGA paired with a Omega branded stainless steel bracelet made by JB Champion USA ref.# 1098 No.11 and 19MM ref.# 547 curved end links. OMEGA bracelets MADE BY JB Champion USA will have a small triangle with an Omega logo inside.
THE 0ST-1098 Stainless Steel bracelet and the 19MM ref 547 endlink
used on the Omega Seamaster 120
OMEGA bracelets MADE BY JB Champion USA will have a small triangle with an Omega logo inside.
BEZEL surface when it was new was entirely black including the serrated edges ... The aluminum bezel inserts matte black coating stops short of of the edge and tapers at an angle to the serrated edges. Due to age and use most bezel will have this worn off exposing the metallic surface.
BEZEL WITH FULLY INTACT MATTE BLACK COATING
note the downward slope towards serrated edge
photo from - UWSEARCH
Original white second sweep pylon/baton length stops 1/4 (+/-) short of the edge of the dial markers. It's tip is slightly curved towards the dial. New or Factory replacement hands are longer.
alongside a 1964 OMEGA SEAMASTER 600
16MM-19MM JB Champion USA expandable band aka: NASA bracelet on a 7 1/2 inch wrist
19MM BEST FIT Swiss Tropic MOD DEP diver strap
VINTAGE BUCKLES from the 1960's and 1970's
OEM Omega buckles that would have been paired with vintage (on the left) Best Fit SWISS TROPIC MOD DEP diver strap and on a (on the right) vintage TROPIC STAR diver strap, these would also have been used on Omega smooth or textured CORFAM straps.
The LOGO HAS SHARP DEFINED EDGES which has slight raised textured surface inside
again ... IT's edges are NOT SMOOTH and ROUNDED
Details on buckle are
NOT HAND or MACHINE STAMPED
it is hand etched unto the buckle.
The LOGO HAS SHARP DEFINED EDGES not smooth and rounded
along side a 1968 BREITLING GENEVE TOP TIME MK2 mvmnt. Venus caliber 178 (WOG)
along side a 1973 BULOVA DEEP SEA 666FEET DIVER CHRONOGRAPHE variant B
along side a SEIKO caliber 6309 case ref.# 7049 aka: Turtle
along side a 1966 HAMILTON 600FEET Aqua Date
19MM UNCLE SEIKO version of a Seiko XGL-731 diver strap aka: Tire Tread strap
Paired with a KIZI Hook and Loop (velcro) strap
1966 and 1967 models have a dive depth rating @ 120 Meters ( 393.7 FEET static)
OMEGA BOOK - Omega - A Journey through Time
The book states the 120 was created / introduced in 1966
and launched / released to the general public in 1967.
The book also states that 1966 and 1867 versions had a dive depth rating at 120 Meters ( 393.7 FEET static) and later models (1968 and 1969) water resistance rating was dropped / reduced to 60M (197 FEET static).
FYI -
Pressure testing is conducted under static conditions. According to the ISO 6425 standard, which governs diving watches, the water resistance test involves subjecting the watch to a static overpressure of 125% of its rated depth. For a watch rated at 200 feet (approximately 60.96 meters), this means it must withstand a static pressure equivalent to 250 feet (76.2 meters) of water depth during testing. This static test is performed in a pressure vessel and maintained for two hours, with additional steps including a reduction to 0.3 bar of negative pressure for one hour to simulate decompression. The static nature of this test ensures the watch's seals and construction can endure sustained pressure without failure, providing a safety margin for real-world diving conditions.
1966 / 67 OMEGA SWISS GERMAN catalogue
watches are paired with 0ST-1098 SS bracelet with 19MM ref.# 547 end links
OFFICIAL OMEGA WEBSITE
1966 SEAMASTER 120 automatic with date
dive depth rated @ 120 Meters (393.7FEET static)
1968 and 1969 models have a dive depth rating @ 60 meters (197FEET static)
1968 OMEGA Catalogue
SAFETY RED (orange?) SECONDS SWEEP PYLON / BATON
dive depth rating has been reduced to 60 meters (197 feet)
The Seamaster 120 also came with a safety RED (orange?) seconds sweep pylon as evidenced by an image from the 1968
Omega catalogue for the SEAMASTER 120 (below.)
OMEGA catalogue image -
the safety RED seconds sweep baton/pylon is exactly the same as the white colored baton/pylon.
There have been 120s' that have a SAFETY RED PYLON installed from an Omega Geneve Admiralty model it is an elongated triangular RED pylon/baton. This could be a sign of aftermarket modification such as a watch maker repair job - cannibalization for parts no longer in production, and or a franken watch.
OMEGA CORFAM straps both textured and Smooth
BEST FIT Swiss Tropic MOD DEP diver strap
Ladies version with a Green bezel
