Seamaster 60 Rare Blue/Burgundy Ref.566.024: Factory Origina

k.takeda.hm · 2026-08-13T04:40:56-0500

Hello everyone,
I recently acquired a vintage ladies' Omega Seamaster 60 and have just sent it in for an overhaul. I would highly appreciate your expert insights on its originality.
Here are the specific details of the watch:

Reference: 566.024
Caliber: 681
Movement Serial Number: 30,119,700 (dating to around 1969)

The most intriguing part is the color combination: it features a Blue Dial paired with a Burgundy Bezel. As far as I know, the standard configurations usually have matching dial and bezel colors.
Inside the case back, there is a watchmaker's handwritten service mark that appears to read "55.6.12A". In Japan, this format typically indicates the Shōwa era, translating to June 12, 1980. This suggests that the watch has been in this exact configuration for at least 46 years, ruling out a modern "franken" creation.
Could this be a rare factory-original special order, a specific regional release (e.g., Japan Domestic Market), or was it likely a bezel swap done back in the 1970s? Have any of you encountered a similar blue/burgundy configuration before?
I am attaching a picture of the movement and the serial number. Thank you very much in advance for your time and knowledge!

k.takeda.hm · 2026-08-13T06:16:41-0500

Please help me identify the history of this rare watch!

Sorry, my original thread title was cut off due to the character limit. What I really wanted to write was: "Seamaster 60 Rare Blue/Burgundy Ref.566.024: Is it Factory Original?"
This color combination is unrecorded and completely mysterious. I would deeply appreciate any insights, advice, or opinions from the experts here. Thank you so much for your help!

Donn Chambers · 2026-08-13T06:31:16-0500

I found a photo from a previous online auction which shows a burgundy dial and bezel one:

Most likely scenario is your started out with the burgundy dial/bezel combo, and some switched the dial, or it was blue/blue and someone switched the bezel. With that said, the quality of the lettering on your bezel is quite poor compared to the examples I see - numbers are thicker and not well defined in your example. It may be an aftermarket or redone bezel.

gatorcpa · 2026-08-13T06:40:12-0500

You should read this thread regarding a similar watch:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ladies-seamaster-60-ref-566-024-cal-684-restoration-project.66749/

Thread 'Ladies Seamaster 60 ref 566.024 cal 684 restoration project' ·

Hello OF!

First thread created after following on the sidelines for a while. As with all the rest of you watch nuts, I am also caught by the Omega watch bug...

After being overbid by a single...

henrikaa · Nov 18, 2017

I agree with @Donn Chambers that your watch may have been put together with parts from different watches or with some replacement or aftermarket parts.

For a watch like this, I don’t think that’s a major problem so long as it works well. However, if you decide to sell it, it should be disclosed.

Regarding the service marks, every watchmaker has their own system of identification for watches they serviced. I do not believe there is any historical significance to them. I have noticed that Japanese watchmakers tend to make their marks with felt-tipped pens like that to avoid damage to customer’s watches. They can also be easily erased the next time the watch is serviced.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

PS - A quick search shows that there is a non-working example on eBay with a decent looking blue bezel:

https://ebay.io/m/s2qsRl

I think the price is absurdly high, as it is unlikely any of the movement parts will be salvageable.

Seamaster 60 Rare Blue/Burgundy Ref.566.024: Factory Origina

k.takeda.hm

k.takeda.hm

Donn Chambers

gatorcpa

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