The ULTIMATE Seamaster de Ville thread

PlainVanilla · Apr 30, 2023

American reference KL 6610

The American reference KL 6610 was introduced in the second half of the sixties to replace reference LL 6590-1.

All examples of this reference feature a 14K solid gold case and are powered by the 17 jewel Omega calibre 550.

With a 14K solid gold case, reference KL 6610 sat at the top tier of Seamaster de Ville references in the American catalogue, making it a regular presentation watch for exceptional achievements. As a consequence, many KL 6610 Seamaster de Ville watches miss the seahorse on the back to leave room for a custom engraving.

The correct period box for reference KL 6610 is a grey and black box featuring an applied golden Omega logo on top. The inside of the box is black covered in grey cloth and the inner lid is covered with a shiny grey cloth and features the Omega logo.

tapaptpat · Apr 30, 2023

@PlainVanilla - wow thanks for putting this together. So many great references to check out.

rkman11 · Apr 30, 2023

This thread is both putting a smile on my face and making me sad that I don’t currently have one! At least I sold an incredible one to the creator of this fine thread!

PlainVanilla · Apr 30, 2023

I would like to write an individual post for each reference with a link to it in the reference list of the main post. If anyone has valuable information on some references like correct period boxes or reference numbers for solid gold bracelets, please PM me. 😀

The reference list on the main post is starting to look a bit scary. 😁

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

Period documentation on the Seamaster de Ville

Here are some of the period documentation I used to gather valuable information to create this thread.

A UK catalogue from 1962

A German catalogue from 1963

A 1963 UK catalogue

Please note the price difference with regular Omega Seamaster watches :

A 1964 UK catalogue

Note the price difference with regular Seamaster watches:

Another UK catalogue from 1964

A German catalogue from 1964

An advert from 1965

A 1965 catalogue from Thailand

Another 1965 catalogue from Thailand

An advert from 1966

A 1966 UK catalogue

A UK catalogue from 1967

A 1967 Italian catalogue

A 1974 US catalogue

Note that the Seamaster De Ville was not entirely discontinued in 1967 as Omega claims on their website, as this 1974 catalogue shows. This page also features reference KM 6326 and correct reference numbers for 14K gold filled bracelets.

Various US adverts featuring the reference KL 6292 VB 'Kleerback'

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

Swiss reference 14735

Introduced by Omega in October 1960, reference 14735 is the first Seamaster de Ville reference to be introduced alongside the automatic 14725.

It features the manual wound Omega calibre 520 as the 600 series was not yet introduced.

The correct period box for reference 14735 is a red box featuring 'OMEGA' in golden lettering on the front and an etched golden plate saying 'OMEGA' and 'World famous since 1848' on top, and pearl coloured cloth on the inside.

This reference also features special dials, especially for the American market.

This reference was later replaced by reference 14750 which features the calibre 600.

MtV · May 1, 2023

While I’ll have to admit that it’s not my favorite case style, I’d like to express a huge thanks for the work you put into this. That’s an instant book mark for me. 😀

To contribute at least a little something, here’s an early 14770 of mine:

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

MtV
While I’ll have to admit that it’s not my favorite case style, I’d like to express a huge thanks for the work you put into this. That’s an instant book mark for me. 😀

To contribute at least a little something, here’s an early 14770 of mine:

Coming from a senior member and such an experienced collector, that's a huge compliment, thank you! And very nice example, I might use it when I come to the individual post for 14770. 😀

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

Swiss reference 14725

Introduced by Omega in October 1960, reference 14725 is the first Seamaster de Ville reference to be introduced alongside the manual wound 14735.

It features the automatic 17 jewel Omega calibre 570 on the American market and the 24 jewel Omega calibre 571 on the European market. It was later replaced by reference 14745.

SOG53 · May 1, 2023

Deville appears on the dials of Seamaster chronos from the 60's- 145.018 is example some had Deville and others Seamaster script- see 2 examples here- they are cal 861 like Speedmaster

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

SOG53
Deville appears on the dials of Seamaster chronos from the 60's- 145.018 is example some had Deville and others Seamaster script- see 2 examples here- they are cal 861 like Speedmaster

Hello! Reference 145.018 started its existence as a Seamaster and later became a De Ville, like reference 135.011 which started as a Seamaster 600 and later became a Genève.

But 145.018 is not a Seamaster de Ville.

SOG53 · May 1, 2023

Thanks. It gets confusing!
Deville in Latin and Old French means "country house" or "of the town", presumably conferring a bit of elegance.
From a less purely linguistic standpoint, Cadillac has had "deville" models going back to the late 50's- which to this day represent a higher line- so either Omega or Cadillac liked the other's sign of elegance to justify higher prices and one copied the other- just my opinion!!

Cadillac Deville 1960 (I remember these)

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

Swiss reference 14750

Introduced shortly after the calibre 520 powered reference 14735 to replace it, reference 14750 is powered by manual wound 17 jewel Omega calibre 600.

This reference also features a wide variation of dials including special dials, I believe mainly for the American market.

It was discontinued in 1962 and replaced by reference 14915.

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

SOG53
Thanks. It gets confusing!
Deville in Latin and Old French means "country house" or "of the town", presumably conferring a bit of elegance.
From a less purely linguistic standpoint, Cadillac has had "deville" models going back to the late 50's- which to this day represent a higher line- so either Omega or Cadillac liked the other's sign of elegance to justify higher prices and one copied the other- just my opinion!!

Cadillac Deville 1960 (I remember these)

Are you French too? 😁

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

Swiss reference 14743

Omega introduced this reference in 1960 as the top tier of the Seamaster de Ville line.

Powered by the 24 jewel Omega calibre 562 with a date feature, it has a 18K solid yellow gold case and a 18K yellow gold bracelet. It was available with a silvered dial, or with a gold dial with black onyx inlays for a premium. The gold dial version was also available with dauphine hands for another slight premium.

This model was also offered without date and on a crocodile strap under reference number 14742.

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

Swiss reference 14770

Introduced in 1961 to replace reference 14730, this model was powered by the 17 jewel Omega calibre 560 on the American market and the 24 jewel calibre 562 on the European market, and then by the 17 jewel calibre 563 with quickset date on the American market and by the 24 jewel calibre 565 with quickset date on the European market.

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Omega-Seamaster-Ref-14770-61-steel-vintage-wristwatch-circa-1961-v07.jpg

This model was offered in all case materials and sold on a strap.

Its 18K solid gold version bore the reference number BA 166.5020 in the UK and was available with a silvered dial, or with a gold dial for a premium.

Reference 14770 was later replaced by reference 14910 which features a more faceted case.

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

@MtV I used your watch to illustrate reference 14770. Thank you. 👍

nkhandekar · May 1, 2023

This is a great reference thread. Thank you.

The case backs vary with the position of "Waterproof" and other design details. I can't make out a pattern for the differences yet, but I am certainly curious.

PlainVanilla · May 1, 2023

nkhandekar
This is a great reference thread. Thank you.

The case backs vary with the position of "Waterproof" and other design details. I can't make out a pattern for the differences yet, but I am certainly curious.

Different case manufacturers. 😀

PlainVanilla · May 2, 2023

American reference L-6590

The American reference L-6590 was introduced when Long Island based Ross Watch Case Corp. started manufacturing cases for the Seamaster de Ville line and was powered by the 17 jewel Omega calibre 570. It was later replaced by reference LL 6590-1 after the introduction of the 17 jewel calibre 550. I don't have much information about this reference yet so I'm just creating that post for future reference with a picture of the caseback proving that it exists, and a link to a similar reference for anyone needing more information as it probably shares most of its characteristics except for the movement.

The ULTIMATE Seamaster de Ville thread

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tapaptpat

rkman11

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MtV

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SOG53

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