All

So I've hankered after these for a while, being careful as I know there are lots of fakes/frankens out there... Of course I had to balance that by not taking too long and buying one while I can still afford to.

This forum has being great and I've learnt a lot here about what to look out for - but eventually I had to take the training wheels off. I found this one below - it was apparently a one owner estate sale, but I took that with a pinch of salt... Photos were terrible and it didn't look in great shape..

It arrived and looks a bit better in real life. My assessment is:
- case has a bit of wear but doesn't look too over polished
- dial looks ok can't see any stubbies, magnified can see pin hole dot
- lume looks original, but of shrinking but has a soft glow in the dark which disappears after about a minute or two
- I think the second hand is newer, probably a service replacement
- correct movement and 23m serial number indicates a 1966 - I've orders Omega Extract
- Not sure that the movement number range matches the case type tho..
- crystal has some scratches, don't know if I should replace it or not..
- bezel looks original though some of the bezel insert backing (?) seems to have come off - can this be repaired (and should it?)
- it cost $4500 by can be retiurned..:

Of course I may be completely wrong about all of this, so I'd welcome comments, but please be gentle!

 

open "5" bezel is usually found on 25M and 26M serials

 

Is a screw down crown correct for a 165.024 CB 23Xxx ? Perhaps seen on later versions ?

 

Discussed here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/seamaster-300-1966.67962/page-2#post-854128

 

Thanks @uwsearch, @gemini4 and @kox - I was hoping it would be more service parts than put together, but it seems not! I could wait until the Omega Archive comes back, but I think I'll return it....and more reading up to do on bezels and crowns..

 

So...The Omega Extract for this actually turned up - I'd already placed the order for it so looked at it in case I'd missed a bargain. It confirmed that the 552 movement went into a Seamaster 300, with production date of 7 Nov 1966. As such, I believe this confirms that the bezel, crown and possibly the CB case were later "adds" to the movement - perhaps at service, following use/damage. So not terrible, but one that would personally niggle me as not being entirely "correct"...

A couple of questions to help improve my own knowledge
- When did the CB case start to be used for the 165.024?
- The Extract says the watch ref is ST 165.024 - is the Extract watch reference independent of the caseback notation? For example, if a caseback has 1650024, which I understand is for a HF, would the extract still say ST 165.024?

Thanks as always!

 

Bump...

 

Answered that previously above:

There is a lot of information on Omega reference codes outthere, which you could research.
Anyway, ST stands for steel and is part of the officiel watch reference code for the 165.024's (prefix if you like), but it is not stamped in the caseback, and has nothing to do with the case makers. HF and CB were the case makers for Omega (Huguenin Frères & Centrale Boites) and are not mentioned on extracts. Both produced cases for the reference ST 165.024. You won't get an extract for a reference 1650024, since that's a later replacement case/reference number. On new extract you will only get the old official main reference number that was recorded with the serial number you are asking about.

 

The bezel lume can be be repaired, redundant answere I know seeing as you have refrained from the purchase. All the same good to know for a future SM 300 with a damaged bezel. As far as I know only one guy has done this and he is Perth Western Australia, Lewis Watchco.
Best of luck in your hunt, they are a lovely piece to own and wear.
Mine says hello, I have quite a few exotic pieces and quite honestly this is my favorite for wrist time .

 

Thanks - that’s good to know. I’m always in two minds about whether to restore or not - generally unless it’s really bad I’d keep it original..

Beautiful watch - dibs if you ever sell I am going to put up a WTB any day now...

 

Thanks @kox - I thought that was the situation re case marking vs red numbers with Omega, but wasn’t sure, so good to have it confirmed. Also apologies about the date thing, I completely missed that in your reply.

 

Hi All

Looking around I see evidence that replacing cases/crowns on these seems to a fairly common practice.

Q- could a replacement Naiad Crown be retro-fitted to a watch like Mohi’s which has a CB case with a screw down crown?

Thanks for your time

Nathan

 

Yes i believe it can be done by replacing the case tube as well.

 

Thanks Ash