Hello All,

After being a long time lurker, I figured it would time for me to make an account and hopefully become more active on this forum. I have a moderate level of experience with watches just by being an enthusiast growing up, but I don't know too much about vintage Seamasters and would love to get your thoughts on a recent purchase.

After watching an online auction a month (+/-) back and narrowly missing a gold capped 168.022, I started periodically checking different platforms in search of finding another. In my searches, I came across ones with the so called "sparkle" dials and felt like I needed to have one. After having a few sales fall through, I found the one pictured below coming from Japan. Although, the watch has definitely been worn, the movement, dial, and case seemed to be in great shape and have the original finish (?). It also has an original omega crystal and came with an Omega mesh bracelet as pictured (ref 2038). At $882, it seemed like a decent price (the bracelet alone seems to selling around $200-300) so I snapped it up and it arrived in a few days.

I have had it for about a week and the watch keeps decent time (+20 seconds). I assume it hasn't been serviced in a little while. Considering the bracelet is 18mm rather than 19mm, am I correct in assuming that it isn't original to the watch? Do any of you know what steel bracelet would have come with this model? As far as I can tell, I don't see any major issues, but I would appreciate it if any of you could point out any that you see. I did notice some wear marks from the rotor and I read on the forum that this can be common on these movements. Is this a cause for concern? Would the rotor or winding bridge have to be replaced? Thank you!

Note: I took the photos with the red backdrop. The others are from the listing description.

 

1125 bracelet with 617 or 560 end links.

 

Rotor rub can be a problem. I would just give her a service if you are planning to wear it regurarly. The bracelet is beautiful. But according to my data this watch (as @Toishome pointed out) came with a different one. Attached a list of possible bracelets.

 

I can vouch for the 1069 looking incredible on this ref. as well.

I've had the same bracelet on a C-case Constellation in the past and it is a fantastically comfortable bracelet. Funnily enough my watch also came from Japan, perhaps it is country-specific item to some degree?

 

I would get the rotor looked at and do a full service while you’re at it.

 

These are pretty under appreciated at present. When you realise they are big for the era at 36mm and are pretty much the last Seamaster using the classic 5XX /7XX movements before the cost cutting 1000 series kicked in you ask yourself why aren't they more expensive. I have one so am talking my own book so to speak but when you have one in hand, particularly a sparkle dial they offer just as much if not more than any SMDV of the era. Controversially I think I prefer them to the then contemporary C case Connie too but I realise that may be a minority (and slightly heretical) view!

Maybe it is because they look quite modern for 60s-70s piece that they aren’t more sought after but I’d take one if these over any recent 36mm Aqua Terra. Well maybe I’d take the Railmaster AT but I digress!

 

Cool watch! I had a very similar date only, no lume sparkle dial a while back. Serial number was less than 400 away from yours 307305xx.

 

I restored one that I really only bought for the bracelet. It doesn't get much wrist time as I get pissed off with myself for catching the end of the second sweep whilst cleaning the dissolved mini rugby ball shaped rubber gasket stopper thingies and pinging 3mm off!! They wear big..very attractive on shark mesh too. I will probably sell mine at some point down the road , but not yet!

 

@Toishome @Shabbaz Thank you for the information regarding the bracelets! @Shabbaz If you don't mind me asking, where were you able to look up that information. It seems like a really useful resource.

 

It definitely is a fantastic bracelet! Almost all the listings for such bracelets on eBay are coming from Japan, so I definitely think it was limited to a certain market. That constellation is gorgeous by the way.

 

This is what it looks like on an 1125

 

That bracelet looks spectacular. Thank you for sharing! I guess the search begins ...Are those 617 or 560 end links? Does it matter either way?

 

They are identical. The ones in the picture are 560's.
You can still buy this bracelet from Omega with the end links if you want a new one.

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/case-bracelet-endpiece-list.81618/

 

Here I am modeling another one for you guys This one is for @ConElPueblo since he like the 1069

 

And hello, from another sparkler. Also a 1069.

 

I’ll join the sparkle, albeit with a date disk in a different language.

 

Here is another one on a 1098

 

Can this maybe become an inclusive general sparkle dial thread? I wanted to start one with this, but it was actually in spa during lockdown - probably for the best. I know there are haters of this case - I love sharp lugs as much as the next guy/gal - but the shape is way short of the grotesque excesses of the early 70s (I was there at the time...), and the finish is slow to show scratches. Less commonly, although it is not signed "chronometre", it actually is powered by a beautiful cal 564. Maybe it was a custom order for Meister - anyone know?

So, here's my 166.067, serial 26 mio, wearing 1168 with 605 links.


(Apologies for quality of second photo - looks slightly better at this end - tried to enhance it, but hey...)

 

I've sold mine...