Hi everybody,

Can any of you expert guys please give me information: Amongst others, I own a 1970s/1980s Seamaster ref. 166.0216 = ref. 366.0848 (Steel day/date with silver dial and integrated #1286 steel bracelet).

Code 166.0216 stands for the basic watch as itself, 366.0848 means the complete thing including the integrated steel bracelet. As far as this, things are clear to me.

Yet, the double engraving inside the back cover says not only both “166.0216” and “366.0848”, but “166.0216.3” and “366.0848.3”

Does anybody of you know what this additional “.3” stands for?

Any ideas are much appreciated, many thanks in advance.

 

Pictures?

 

Both numbers are case numbers...well partial case numbers. Neither of them are reference or PIC numbers. Sometimes a case back will have more than one number inside it since it can be used on more than one case.

The reference or PIC number that tells you all the details of that model (dial, hands, bracelet, etc.) is never marked on the watch.

Cheers, Al

 

Thank you for this detailed analysis.

I have always thought that the complete number engraved in the case back (typical number format ABC.XYZ or ABC.0XYZ) is called the reference number. I know that A, B and C indicate some certain general type attributes, whereas XYZ (or 0XYZ, including a leading Zero) is just the special identification serial number of the specific model (all of this not to be mixed up neither with the movement’s caliber-number nor with the movement’s individual serial-number, both to be found on the movement).

I do not brood on the fact that there are two different number codes engraved inside one and the same back cover, for – as you say – the same type of watch may have been sold with some leather strap (166.0216 meaning just the watch as itself) or with an integrated steel bracelet (366.0848 meaning the complete system including the bracelet), so the double engraving would cover both alternatives: A leading “1” such as 1BC.0XYZ generally indicates a gent’s watch, a leading “3” such as 3BC.0XYZ generally indicates a gent’s bracelet watch.

What I do wonder is what the additional “3” added at the end of both codes might mean: 166.0216.3 and 366.0848.3

In the internet I find watches of the type 166.0216 / 366.0848 with their double-engravings purely numbered 166.0216 / 366.0848, as well as 166.0216.2 / 366.0848.2 or 166.0216.1 / 366.0848 or whatever else. So what is the difference between all these, what does this additional ending (respectively its non-existence) mean?

Thanks & regards

 

See message just posted beyond.
Regards

 

It’s a common misconception that the number inside is a reference number that tells you all aspects of the watch. That only happens with the PIC style number.

It is well known that if you look up a case number on the vintage database that it will not give you all the details of the watch. For example many different dial combinations can be used on one case number.

Cheers, Al