Omega chronometer grade ’69 Seamaster 168.022

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Longbow

·Jul 2, 2016

François Pépin

Hi,

Nice story!
Has the NOS dial been relumed - I would think so because of the color of the lume?

Good question, I don't know. This should be fairly easy to check after I have picked it up. If it glows strongly then I guess it's been re-lumed if not or very weakly then probably not. It would be interesting to hear opinions about how Tritium Lume decays over time and whether exposure to light accelerates that process or not, i.e. how does 30+ year old Lume look if it was always kept in a dark box?

I'll post some pics when I have a clear result. Either way I'm not too fussed, as the restauration end result looks very harmonious and since this is a keeper I'm more concerned about the overall aesthetic than any theoretical market value.

 

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Longbow

·Jul 9, 2016

Just collected my old friend from the Hamburg OB...... Oh my. I didn't expect it to look this great. Feeling like a kid at Christmas

 

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Longbow

·Jul 9, 2016

I was expecting my Seamaster to arrive in the usual red service box, but there was a little bit extra to add to the suspense this time.

 

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Longbow

·Jul 9, 2016

Friends re-united

Edited: Jul 9, 2016

 

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Longbow

·Jul 9, 2016

François Pépin

Hi,

Nice story!
Has the NOS dial been relumed - I would think so because of the color of the lume?

Well, if the dial was re-lumed it has been done very sympathetically as there is no glow from the dial.

 

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Longbow

·Jul 9, 2016

So, the journey has reached it's end. From the initial euphoria of finding this interesting Seamaster, to the discovery of all the little niggling problems, the multiple journeys between Hamburg, Pforzheim, Bienne? and back to Hamburg it has finally come home in a condition that has exceeded my expectations.
Obviously I would like to thank the many staff at Omega for the great work they have done and for putting up with my perfectionism "updates", but mostly I would like to thank the folks here at the greatest Omega Forum for helping me to figure out what the final result should look like. So a big thank you to:-
@Nobel Prize, @oddboy, @micampe, @MSNWatch, @cimo, @Dr No, @TNTwatch, @François Pépin
and last but by no means least @omegastar.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

 

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François Pépin

·Jul 9, 2016

Thank you for this follow up!

 

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Nobel Prize

·Jul 9, 2016

Cheers!

 

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Longbow

·Jul 10, 2016

A few close ups to finish things off. Hope you like the images.

 

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fjf

·Jul 10, 2016

Dang!. That's a pretty watch!!😁

 

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BillLundberg

·Sep 4, 2017

Fascinating story! I enjoyed the read and comments immensely!

 

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fskywalker

·Feb 4, 2019

Nice restoration! So how much was the total of the restoration? Did you ended up getting the new caseback?

 

S

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seber

·Apr 14, 2019

fskywalker

Nice restoration! So how much was the total of the restoration? Did you ended up getting the new caseback?

 

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padders

·Apr 14, 2019·Oooo subtitles!

I picked up a steel 166.032 sparkle dial a little while back. I really rate it, as noted earlier in the thread it is quite large for a 1960s piece at 36.5mm and wears quite modern if you see what I mean. The complexity of the case side curve and different finishes impress greatly. It feels rather more special than some of the other 60s dressy Seamaster variants. I am fortunate that all the original finishes are still present here. In some ways there are echoes of straight lug Speedmaster and Seamaster designs but it has enough of its own going on to not seem derivative. I am a big fan.

Edited: Apr 14, 2019

 

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Longbow

·Apr 14, 2019

fskywalker

Nice restoration! So how much was the total of the restoration? Did you ended up getting the new caseback?

1096€ for the restauration work at Omega and that on top of the original acquisition price.

I suspect that I will replace the caseback at some point, especially since Omega hasn’t offered anything new this year that tempts me (enough) or is actually available without playing silly waiting games.

 

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Longbow

·Apr 14, 2019

@padders, that Sparkle is in really great shape, we need to see some close-ups of those lugs.

My 168. says hello!

 

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S.H.

·Apr 14, 2019

I like this reference, it feels very modern. Not pretty I'd say, but lots of charm, it manages not to look blocky. I especially like the stepped and brushed dial on the day/date variant:

 

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padders

·Apr 15, 2019·Oooo subtitles!

Longbow

@padders, that Sparkle is in really great shape, we need to see some close-ups of those lugs.

My 168. says hello!

Lugs you say?

 

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vlaspri

·Dec 15, 2020

@Longbow Great story of a nice looking watch! I'm currently in the market for this case model, can you please tell me which movement is more desireable? Chronometer 564 or non-chronometer one?

 

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Longbow

·Dec 16, 2020

I would personally rank overall condition as much more important than whether or not it is chronometer rated.

Take a look at @padders case geometry; that’s what these models should look like. Gold marks more easily than steel so the chances that a solid gold, filled or capped model has been polished and lost that original geometry are pretty high. If you are set on gold be very choosy, don’t just buy the first crap that crosses your path.

If you go for stainless steel look at the condition of the mid-case primarily, and the lugs in particular, these are no longer available but most other parts are still stocked by Omega (bezels etc).

If you see two reference numbers in the caseback it is probably a service replacement, this isn’t a deal breaker but you can cross check that with any statements about “all original”. Try to find one with a single reference number correct for the model you are buying.

Lastly, look at the for sale section here on OmegaForums, everything and everyone gets well scrutinized so a much safer bet than eBay or Chrono24.