Community Stories

Omega Seamaster 120 Cal 563 - Original Bezel Replacement Decision & Miami Watchmaker Search

Mick.McGrane
Posts
89
Likes
147
Good day, Omega fans,

As promised, this is my second of four (4) posts, highlighting my acquisitions. Today, I welcome your comments on the Seamaster 120. Cal 563 (17 Jewel), case, hands, and dial.

With this purchase, I received many service parts, crowns, and a new bezel which I believe is difficult to find.

The million-dollar question should I put a new bezel on the watch? and a watchmaker recommendation in Miami.

All/any feedback welcome.
 
20210617_184620_resized.jpg 20210617_184901_resized.jpg 20210617_185025_resized.jpg 20210617_185003_resized.jpg 20210617_184932_resized.jpg 20210617_184725_resized.jpg 20210609_142756.jpg
Shabbaz
Posts
4,960
Likes
18,394
Holy moly. You got a original bezel! That's rare.

Anyway, you should do what you prefer. I think I would keep the original bezel. It goes better with that dial. Maybe obtain a second 120 with a perfect dial and case but bad bezel and use the new one. Just some thought. Which parts did you get besides the crown and bezel?
 
snunez
Posts
419
Likes
184
Excellent find. I'd second @Shabbaz comments; leave that bezel on there. It doesn't look too bad. Perhaps get a pearl to put on it.
 
Mick.McGrane
Posts
89
Likes
147
Shabbaz Shabbaz
Holy moly. You got a original bezel! That's rare.

Anyway, you should do what you prefer. I think I would keep the original bezel. It goes better with that dial. Maybe obtain a second 120 with a perfect dial and case but bad bezel and use the new one. Just some thought. Which parts did you get besides the crown and bezel?

@Shabbaz I agree the new bezel will change the look and won't match the dial/case.
With regards to the parts I really don't know what I have. The above images have 6 plastic cases, I have another 50 of those!
 
Mick.McGrane
Posts
89
Likes
147
snunez snunez
Excellent find. I'd second @Shabbaz comments; leave that bezel on there. It doesn't look too bad. Perhaps get a pearl to put on it.
Thanks, @snunez can you buy OEM pearls? I like the vibe of the watch now so I think I'll just service and clean up.
 
Archer
Posts
27,826
Likes
70,690
Mick.McGrane Mick.McGrane
Thanks, @snunez can you buy OEM pearls? I like the vibe of the watch now so I think I'll just service and clean up.

No. Omega doesn't have the bezel or the capsule (a.k.a. the pearl or pip).
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,928
Keep the watch as is, it’s lovely. Aftermarket pearls can be had on eBay- even “aged”, you just need to get the correct size (they are usually for subs) and have it affixed properly.
That NOS bezel is the first I have seen in years. Put it back in the package and think of it as a precious metal.
 
Mick.McGrane
Posts
89
Likes
147
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Keep the watch as is, it’s lovely. Aftermarket pearls can be had on eBay- even “aged”, you just need to get the correct size (they are usually for subs) and have it affixed properly.
That NOS bezel is the first I have seen in years. Put it back in the package and think of it as a precious metal.
Thank you for the guidance, will do.
 
kaplan
Posts
2,510
Likes
2,902
I wonder how many PM's you received about one of those bezels, purely a scientific curiosity 😁

That's an awesome acquisition, I'd definitely not put the bezel on the watch, I regret not buying a bezel-less Seamaster 120 almost a year ago, I'd use it with a makeshift bezel, I could never use one with an authentic bezel, too afraid to lose it, this way you have a NOS bezel in case something happens to the original one, problem solved 😀 And you don't have to worry about ruining a perfect bezel
 
kaplan
Posts
2,510
Likes
2,902
And another curiosity, this time a personal one, where/how did you acquire them?
 
Mick.McGrane
Posts
89
Likes
147
kaplan kaplan
And another curiosity, this time a personal one, where/how did you acquire them?
Thanks for the guidance, I'll keep the original and sell the new one to fund servicing.

How I purchased them is long story, in a nut shell an old building in Kingston, Jamaica .
Edited:
 
Dan S
Posts
21,463
Likes
48,737
Given the overall condition, I don't feel that a bezel swap is warranted. I'd hold it back for now, or sell or trade it.
 
Mick.McGrane
Posts
89
Likes
147
Afternoon all,

The SM120 is back from service. The watchmaker painted the hands (took it on himself!).

Im already looking for new hands but they prove difficult to find.

What should i do? Scrape it off?
Edited:
 
20210703_153700.jpg 20210703_154549.jpg 20210703_154452.jpg 20210703_125724.jpg
Dan S
Posts
21,463
Likes
48,737
techzonetips techzonetips
It’s 2025 and I am still looking? Anyone can help?
For hands, or a better watchmaker? If anything, the cottage industry of re-luming has only grown in recent years, and color-matching the hands is a common task.
 
techzonetips
Posts
10
Likes
2
Hey Dan, I have a 1968 Seamaster 120m 165.027 with missing bezel. Movement still good. Pretty decent condition just need to get a bezel from any of the .027
 
Dan S
Posts
21,463
Likes
48,737
techzonetips techzonetips
Hey Dan, I have a 1968 Seamaster 120m 165.027 with missing bezel. Movement still good. Pretty decent condition just need to get a bezel from any of the .027
Thanks for clarifying, I could not parse that from the thread. In fact, I mistook you for the PI, because I did not realize you were "hijacking" the thread. I think your post will cause confusion, so you will be better off starting a new thread and asking your questions clearly.
 
2 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

R

Omega Automatic Seamaster 120 Cal 565 Ref 166.027

R80Scrambler Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
R
R80Scrambler
Posts
19
Views
3K
M

1967 Omega Seamaster 120 Cal 601 - Another fake?

MrMacphisto Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
p4ul
p4ul
Posts
10
Views
3K
kyle L

1969 Omega Seamaster 120 Cal. 563

kyle L Private Watch Sales
D
Dablitzer
Posts
2
Views
2K