Novice - Advice / Observations on a 167.005 and 168.005

Hi guys, first post here. Looking for some advice between the two watches below please. One 168.005 and one 167.005

Very eager to learn from your collective experience here. So I’d love to hear any positive or negative observations you have.

Thank you

Thanks for the welcome.

So my initial thoughts would be:

167

• Dial markers look slightly thicker/more pronounced than other examples I’ve been looking at. I’m unsure if the lighting or an indication of touch-up repainting.
• The dial looks great aside from the possibility of the above.
• Front case looks clean with hints of strong polishing. Lug angles still look defined.
• Different hands, one/both changed.
• Back case has the obvious damage and signs of polishing again.

168

• Slightly duller finish, would this be an indication of heavier polishing? The crown angles look to be more rounded vs the 167.
• The dial looks immaculate.

I’m sure there will be plenty more to add or alter to the above. Taking my first real steps into watches so any and all feedback is welcome.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the welcome.

So my initial thoughts would be:

167

• Dial markers look slightly thicker/more pronounced than other examples I’ve been looking at. I’m unsure if the lighting or an indication of touch-up repainting.
• The dial looks great aside from the possibility of the above.
• Front case looks clean with hints of strong polishing. Lug angles still look defined.
• Different hands, one/both changed.
• Back case has the obvious damage and signs of polishing again.

168

• Slightly duller finish, would this be an indication of heavier polishing? The crown angles look to be more rounded vs the 167.
• The dial looks immaculate.

I’m sure there will be plenty more to add or alter to the above. Taking my first real steps into watches so any and all feedback is welcome.

Thanks again

With some more time to look I believe the 167 has had work on the dial.

Font and line work appears to be in Bold compared to the 168.

The Pan edges of the 167 don’t appear to be as angled/sharp either.

I didn’t see problems aside from scratches on the cases.

welcome @cdiom93

As @hant26 says, both watches look good apart from nibbles on the lugs and scratches on the case.

Sometimes photos make watches look odd - especially when bleached out to hide imperfections.
Both dials look correct.

To answer a couple of your specific points:
The thicker indices are just one style used by Omega - these ones have an onyx insert.
Likewise the hands - the first has no insert because the indices don't, the second does have a black painted insert in the hands to compliment the onyx inserts in the indices.
Pie pan edges vary from dial maker to dial maker and also the period of production.

Essentially you have picked a couple of pretty good watches - it all comes down to price when deciding if you can live with the imperfections.
The 167 will run at a slight premium as some prefer the clean no-date look and there are fewer around but it should only be a little above the 168.

hope that helps