New Arrival - Seamaster 165.002 Speedmaster Companion Grey Sunburst Dial

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

This just arrived to me, a Seamaster 165.022 grey sunburst dial "Speedmaster Companion". The listing on eBay stated that the owner received it as a gift in 1966 and that it was purchased in Europe. So I may well be the second owner of this timepiece, pretty happy about that if in fact that is the case.

It appears to be in original condition but I suspect the hour index marks have been re-lumed. However I defer to more experienced eyes. Movement is a 552, number 2249XXXX which from a quick search appears to be from 1965. No original strap or clasp but it does have the hippocampus case back. Other than the lume, the dial looks to be in great shape. The scratches on the crystal make it a bit hard to see but in less harsh light you can distinguish what appears to be a good looking sunburst dial. It definitely needs a new crystal as there is a significant crack in the crystal near the two hour index. If anyone knows the Omega part number for the crystal I'd be very appreciative if you passed it along.

The one thing that puzzles me though is the crown. When I saw it on the eBay listing I could see the whole side of the crown but proportionally it appeared correct to other 165.002 I had seen with this style crown. Upon receiving it thought it has three stars on it. Has anyone ever seen one of these Seamaster models with a crown like this? Or if this is an incorrect crown does anyone know the correct crown part number?

Would really appreciate to hear from those of you that are more experienced with the Speedmaster Companion Seamaster configurations. @buddman @Archer @kingsrider would definitely appreciate your thoughts. Here are some more photos of it.

And a couple in the sunlight so you can get a better view of the sunburst.

Davidt · Feb 8, 2022

I’d be swaying towards it being original lume that’s got damp and is mouldy. Regardless it looks pretty terrible and I’d be strongly considering a good resume here as it would improve thing tremendously.

The crown is certainly wrong. It should be the scalloped style crown as shown on my old example below.

I assume all the scratches are on the crystal? With a crystal polish, service, resume and correct crown you should have a lovely looking watch

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

@Davidt I would have never thought of the lume molding but thanks for pointing that out. Might sound strange but I'd more happy to hear the original lume molded than it was re-lumed hahaha.

I'm definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for a correct crown. Also saw a bunch of variations for the crown over on this linked thread.

The crown of the one @raider44 posted caught my eye.

Nupero · Feb 8, 2022

Good looking watch 👍 I would keep the old lume. I don't think it looks that bad, especially in sunlight. With a white dial I would seriously have to consider re-luming, but a grey dial can handle a bit of moldy lume.

Davidt · Feb 8, 2022

behardy
@Davidt I would have never thought of the lume molding but thanks for pointing that out. Might sound strange but I'd more happy to hear the original lume molded than it was re-lumed hahaha.

I'm definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for a correct crown. Also saw a bunch of variations for the crown over on this linked thread.

The crown of the one @raider44 posted caught my eye.

That is a great thread (I started it!). Many of the crowns within are incorrect however, including the one you reference

Davidt · Feb 8, 2022

Regarding your lume, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder but with these Technic or Companion type dials, they either have coloured accents (such as the red crosshair), coloured dials (such as the blue ‘soleil’ type) or large lume areas to give the pieces an extra pop compared to standard versions of the same reference. The lume plays a large part in this so for me, yours would be a great candidate for a relume as it would really lift the entire watch to another level.

Then again I of course see the originality argument.

I would say there’s still a chance your lume isn’t original anyway, it’s just hard to be sure from your pics.

Whatever you decide these are lovely watches. Congrats!

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

Thanks @Nupero it's definitely something I'm gonna think about. Gonna give it some time and see how I like the look of it.

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

Davidt
That is a great thread (I started it!). Many of the crowns within are incorrect however, including the one you reference

Understood. Any chance this one on eBay looks correct to you? Tube measurement looks to be right but my crown is just enough in the way so that I can't get a for sure measurement. If you're able to check the measurements of your Seamaster crown against the measurements provided in the eBay listing I'd greatly appreciate it!

Davidt · Feb 8, 2022

That crown certainly has the correct look.

I cannot confirm the actual crown or tube size I’m afraid as I no longer own that watch.

JwRosenthal · Feb 8, 2022

The three star crown is from a Benrus I believe.
I think the lume is original, but as has been said, got damp and moldy- they do get blobby over time, particularly when they swell then shrink from moisture,

Mine says hi.

sonicosa · Feb 8, 2022

JwRosenthal
The three star crown is from a Benrus I believe.
I think the lume is original, but as has been said, got damp and moldy- they do get blobby over time, particularly when they swell then shrink from moisture,

Mine says hi.

Wowzers. You’ve probably got a dibs line 12 OFers long on that one, but can I get on the list? (I’ll probably still get a call sooner than I would for a new Rolex.)

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

JwRosenthal
The three star crown is from a Benrus I believe.
I think the lume is original, but as has been said, got damp and moldy- they do get blobby over time, particularly when they swell then shrink from moisture,

Mine says hi.

@JwRosenthal Sheesh! What a beaut! Is that an EPSA case version? With the simple diver logo on the inside of the caseback?

Also if you still have your Seamaster could you help me nail down the measurements of the crown? I'm looking at this crown posted on eBay and wondering if this is about right. Any chance you'd be able to check the measurements of your Seamaster crown against the measurements provided in the eBay listing? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciate!

JwRosenthal · Feb 8, 2022

Not an EPSA, just a regular Omega case just like yours.

Crown appears to be 4mmx2mm. Can’t speak to tube depth or anything like that.

And these look great in a bracelet as well as leather

JwRosenthal · Feb 8, 2022

Oh, and factory crystals for these are not easy to come by on the open market anymore- they have to be sourced by a watchmaker with Swatchgroup parts account- I have tried. If yours can be cleaned up with a wet sand- I would do that first

JwRosenthal · Feb 8, 2022

Just looked at the eBay listing for the crown, 4.5mm may be the measurement. My digi-caliper is dead so going analog isn’t quite as precise. Keep in mind that although putting a period correct crown on the watch gives us all the cool factor of those neat little details, it will not be water resistant. You will need to treat this watch like any vintage snap-backed, open pusher watch from before the 50’s.

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

JwRosenthal
Not an EPSA, just a regular Omega case just like yours.

Crown appears to be 4mmx2mm. Can’t speak to tube depth or anything like that.

And these look great in a bracelet as well as leather

Thank you very much for checking the measurements!

And yes I think they look great on the bracelet as well! I started the search for one like you have on yours before mine even arrived in the mail. Hahaha. Does your bracelet have any numbers stamped on the inside of the clasp or on the inside of the end links?

OneTwo · Feb 8, 2022

I have seen that the crystals are hard to come by. Hoping my local AD and servicer has a Swatchgroup parts account. But appreciate the recommendation to wet sand it. Not sure if it's possible with the larger crack in the crystal, but I'll cross that bridge once I get it to the watchmaker.

Thanks for checking eBay on the measurements. And I very much appreciate the heads up on the watch not being water resistant. I have a snap-backed time only CK2414 from the 40's and was planning on be just as careful with the 165.002 as I am with that one.

JwRosenthal · Feb 8, 2022

It’s a standard Omega 7-row BOR, they go by many numbers. The endlinks are 70 or 570 (they are the same, just 570 was the newer numbering system). This is the same bracelet/endlink combo that fits the dog-legged Connie, There are apparently shorter and longer” 70/570 (not the tops but the bottoms apparently vary in size). This has been debated but these are apparently the longer ones and were a tough fit under the lugs as the curved bottom hit the case back. It worked with a little tweaking, but I have to assume that the shorter bottoms were a better fit on this case.
The other option for these was a flatlink with 18mm endlinks (can’t remember which model), but all the greedy Speedy/SM300 guys have hoarded those and fit 20mm endlinks on them, despite them not really being the same bracelet as the ones intended for those watches (the 18mm flatlink had smaller last links than the 20).

Caliber561 · Feb 8, 2022

Mine says hi as well! The crown on it seems to be an oversize service replacement, but the lume and dial are original. These watches always seem to show a different shade of slate blue depending on the lighting. I'm pretty sure the case is an SGR, but I'm not 100% on that.

JwRosenthal · Feb 8, 2022

Caliber561
Mine says hi as well! The crown on it seems to be an oversize service replacement, but the lume and dial are original. These watches always seem to show a different shade of slate blue depending on the lighting. I'm pretty sure the case is an SGR, but I'm not 100% on that.

They do vary in color depending on light. In some light mine actually looks slightly purple

New Arrival - Seamaster 165.002 Speedmaster Companion Grey Sunburst Dial

OneTwo

Davidt

OneTwo

Nupero

Davidt

Davidt

OneTwo

OneTwo

Davidt

JwRosenthal

sonicosa

OneTwo

JwRosenthal

JwRosenthal

JwRosenthal

OneTwo

OneTwo

JwRosenthal

Caliber561

JwRosenthal

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