I just wanted to say a HUGE (HUGE) thank you to all the members who kindly shared their time, knowledge, opinions & advice in my quest to find my hubby his birthday watch.
As one of the ‘uninitiated’ (not now I might add!) it has been a bit of a minefield out there finding a balance between what a collector would deem an ideal buy against just finding what I know now to be called a honest vintage watch (for an honest vintage man!). Someone mentioned ‘buy the seller/dealer’ & so I found this young man, James Kibble from Kibble Watches, a dealer yes, but having missed a watch he was selling I cannot rate him highly enough sourcing me a watch & helping me in my endeavours. https://kibblewatches.co.uk/ . I haven’t posted on here to get any feedback but he deserves a mention amongst the watch aficionados on this forum & has restored my faith in dealing with a dealer.
So I have settled on this 1966 Seamaster 166.022 (yes all the advice not be so fixed on 1961 was absolutely right), coming with the original BOR bracelet (see even learned the lingo now!) & a casual soft leather strap which I know he’ll prefer. I feel it’s perfect for him, honest, has good background, (previously serviced by Omega with the original parts returned, had idea to make these into a clear resin coaster like the photo so always in view on my husband’s desk!) & a warranty. A fair price & not overpriced like the one I first asked the forums advice on! I am thrilled (and relieved tbh!) & I hope the recipient is as well when he’s given it on the 22nd April.
So my thanks & appreciation again to you all, keep safe & take care - Vicky
ps. and after the 22nd April all my husband will hear is me saying (loudly) that he now has 7 years to find me that diamond faced Omega I just happened to stumble upon!!

 

Great news and I hope he enjoys it. This is a really good choice.

Your last photo is something else as those parts are not for this watch.

Best wishes, Chris

 

congrats on a long, and interesting journey, with a successful completion.
looks great on that strap, i'm sure he will love it.

 

I've loved following you on this little journey, Vicky, and I hope you husband enjoys the watch as much as I know many here would. Please do write a postscript letting us know his reaction (assuming it's a positive reaction!)

 

So glad you’re happy with your purchase, you’ve come a long way, and it’s so good you can now feel great about every aspect of this purchase.
Really looking forward to the next update when he gets it, and interested of course to see the Omega you stumbled upon which you’d like for yourself.

Best regards,
S

 

Well done, I think that's a great choice.

 

Lovely watch. Good choice. He will love it. Enjoy

 

Fantastic outcome for you @VickyG, it's a nice piece - I'm betting the outcome on 22nd April will be more than positive...

Mine happens to be 23rd April, us Taurians have good taste

 

Way to go Vicky!! See if the dealer can throw in a strap changing tool so your husband can change out the bracelet and strap himself. It needs a small fork pronged tip to grab the spring bars and retract them. If not, they are cheap online.
As for your watch- we can help with that as well

 

Looks really good on that brown strap. Don't be a stranger!

 

Oh, and ladies vintage Omegas can be had for pennies on the dollar compared to men’s Omegas. Some from my wife’s collection

This last one is a men’s 2-handed dress watch (slim and elegant for formal attire) from the late 50’s, but at 29mm is small for a modern men’s watch- but perfect for a smaller wrist.

 

oh my, that’s some collection, lucky, lucky lady, they are stunning

 

Thank you, plan to show my hubby (after his birthday) all the posts & replies so he understands exactly what I’ve been doing!

 

When you said you’d been a fraud investigator it was clear you would see it through
Hunting for Vintage watches takes method and attention to detail - you can’t leave things to chance. Everything has to check out- it’s like a puzzle.
Not to mention detecting and weeding out the bad people.

 

just a thought... you could print them up and present it as a booklet... before giving him the watch, to build the suspense.

 

Fine idea, liking it!

 

If anyone has any links to buying or are selling (or has one they would part with) I’d love to get a vintage 60’s strap buckle to complete the watch......becoming obsessed now!!

 

Beware eBay on these- lots of fakes. Perhaps someone here can point Vicky to a UK based eBay seller who has a real stainless buckle.