Hi All, Hopefully I didn't glance over an obvious thread, but after searching around, I couldn't find conversation about this specific case reference - the 165.024 SP. This was the most informative post I could find going into detail on cases stamped with the "SP" markings. I've attached a photo of the caseback and 552 of an SM300 I picked up a few months back. I am planning on having this serviced within the next few months and was interested in doing an Extract of the Archives on this. The problem is, I don't know if this is actually a vintage SM300 with a service dial or if this is simply a WatchCo build that's a little older than the average WatchCo. Thanks for any and all info as always. You guys are invaluable!
I'm sure there's a thread somewhere that compares the profile view of the case and shows services cases to have a larger/taller side edge than the original cases.
in short .... SP is still an unsolved mystery it appears also in the speedy and most think it stands for "S pecial P oussior" good point but in a SM300(we see this often ) this makes no sense ... so the SP remains a myth.
That is an original case back, not a service item. So not a ‘watchco’ and it would be worth getting the extract.
Thanks for all the input, guys. @Stewart H I was looking at that thread to try and see similarities between my case and the HF case as pictured. If my case is original, I’m certain that the bezel, dial, and hands are service parts based on my comparisons. Perhaps the case/caseback are original, and, even more exciting, hopefully the 552 inside this watch was actually born in an SM300. Here are some more photos for reference:
Interesting - so maybe a combination of the two? I’ll probabaly do an extract in a few weeks. That might give a little more information.
An extract won't give you any info about the case. It will only tell you if the serial of this movement corresponds with a 165.024.
Oh yes, I know. I’m mostly just curious if this is a WatchCo that happens to have a vintage caseback or if it actually is a vintage SM300 movement. I’m hoping for the best! As far as the case goes, I don’t think I can get a for-sure diagnosis. Tough to say.
Post a couple of clear pictures of the sides. There are pretty clear differences between the two. (HF & CB).
These were the best I could get. Edit: One interesting thing is the little notch in the bezel at 12:00. I don't see that on either of the other case references OR on newer service bezels. Could have been a service bezel from the 90s that is no longer produced today, I suppose.
Doesn't look like either original HF or CB. If original Omega part, I would say this is a modern/service/Watchco case. The polish is very crooked. (or at least it appears to be in your pictures).
The lighting throws the polishing off - it’s a lot straighter when looking with your own eyes. My hunch is that this is a service case/bezel from the 90s and the caseback is a vintage part. Makes me still wonder if this is the result of a major overhaul from a vintage SM300, or if it is just a WatchCo build with a vintage caseback. I have no doubt that it’s a genuine Omega case. Edit: I'll try and break out the real camera next week and take some non-crappy photos. That would help a lot.