Community Stories

"vintage" Seamaster advice please

wadsy
Posts
35
Likes
82
I'm considering an old 3 hander, basic Seamaster, I believe, probably from the 60's, or possibly modern of similar design.

There appear to be so many variants that I'm not sure what's what!

I suppose I'm looking for something like the pic below, but ideally as large as possible; most appear to be 34mm; are there any larger ones in this style?

Is there a good online resource for the different models/specs?

Many thanks for any help.

Cheers

1O3pX3i.jpg
 
Dan S
Posts
24,398
Likes
54,294
Does it have to be hand-winding or is automatic ok. A larger reference (36.5mm) Seamaster that shows up quite often would be the 168.022 (see below). There may be a non-chronometer version as well, I don't recall. There are others as well, and some of the Seamaster 30 models were 35mm. You just have to study and keep a list of the references.

IMG_3902.jpeg
Edited:
 
norb1967
Posts
498
Likes
410
I just sold this one on the forum which is a ref. 14779. Look at different pics on the forum and see what you like. As a general rule, you won’t find much bigger than 34mm, but this ref is 35. The 166.010 is the date version of this one and is very common and easy to find at a good price.
46819606-029B-4D3A-A538-6F7E3E1BD5AC.jpeg
 
User001
Posts
23
Likes
221
I’d recommend the ref.166.064, it’s probably the largest vintage Seamaster. It measures 38 (excluding crown) and has 22mm lugs so wears like a larger watch…
242AB777-E595-494B-9EE8-61F74042C8E1.jpeg
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,810
I'll be posting a 50's 36mm manual wind Turler if I get the time this afternoon 👍
 
Dan S
Posts
24,398
Likes
54,294
janice&fred janice&fred
I'll be posting a 50's 36mm manual wind Turler if I get the time this afternoon 👍

And just to mention, along these lines, there are plenty of non-Seamaster references in this size range. Like the 2640 and 2639 below. Not Seamasters, but 36mm in screw-back cases.

IMG_4238.jpeg
 
cristos71
Posts
7,921
Likes
35,909
Dan S Dan S
And just to mention, along these lines, there are plenty of non-Seamaster references in this size range. Like the 2640 and 2639 below. Not Seamasters, but 36mm in screw-back cases.

IMG_4238.jpeg


Yes, the 2639 ( with sub seconds dial) is a great reference on the wrist and was actually my first or second Omega when I just started out.
 
Dan S
Posts
24,398
Likes
54,294
cristos71 cristos71
Yes, the 2639 ( with sub seconds dial) is a great reference on the wrist and was actually my first or second Omega when I just started out.

Totally agree and the black 2639 in that photo was probably the second vintage watch that I ever purchased. I still have it, which says a lot about how much I like it.
 
__ryan__
Posts
431
Likes
2,210
Have you tried 34mm? I have some 34mm watches that wear larger than 35mm models.

That being said, 36mm is a nice size. Here’s a 2937…

1163A1F8-A233-4C91-9A71-CEC3DCE6FFDB.jpeg
 
cristos71
Posts
7,921
Likes
35,909
Dan S Dan S
Totally agree and the black 2639 in that photo was probably the second vintage watch that I ever purchased. I still have it, which says a lot about how much I like it.

I still have mine too, but I daren't post it as it was one of those slightly deceitful EBay listings that we all fall for as a Noob...my dial is missing some of its minute track and printing...but the seller both failed to mention that and also carefully avoided showing it in the listing pictures. I've had it probably 18 years now...I really need to try a little harder to find a better dial for it!
 
Spruce
Posts
8,679
Likes
71,995
__ryan__ __ryan__
Have you tried 34mm? I have some 34mm watches that wear larger than 35mm models.

That being said, 36mm is a nice size. Here’s a 2937…

1163A1F8-A233-4C91-9A71-CEC3DCE6FFDB.jpeg

Absolutely!

I’ve always thought that some 34mm Omega models appear to wear much larger.

On that note, I’m a fan of the 165.041 and 166.041 models with 552 or 565 automatic movements.

46EDAEB1-F912-4930-93D5-0DF513742E30.jpeg 8C1B1428-62E0-461E-B5A9-27AD05AC0D2C.jpeg
 
Dan S
Posts
24,398
Likes
54,294
cristos71 cristos71
I still have mine too, but I daren't post it as it was one of those slightly deceitful EBay listings that we all fall for as a Noob...my dial is missing some of its minute track and printing...but the seller both failed to mention that and also carefully avoided showing it in the listing pictures. I've had it probably 18 years now...I really need to try a little harder to find a better dial for it!

I'm often surprised at how lucky I was with that black 2639, given how little I knew at the time and how rarely black dials are original. Just dumb luck, really.
 
padders
Posts
10,468
Likes
16,364
Dan S Dan S
Does it have to be hand-winding or is automatic ok. A larger reference (36.5mm) Seamaster that shows up quite often would be the 168.022 (see below). There may be a non-chronometer version as well, I don't recall. There are others as well, and some of the Seamaster 30 models were 35mm. You just have to study and keep a list of the references.

IMG_3902.jpeg

Great minds Dan. The OP posted a similar request on TZ-UK and I posted the day date version of that as an option. Over there they seem to have missed the 36mm requirement in the main unfortunately.
 
wadsy
Posts
35
Likes
82
Many thanks for all the replies; lots to go on. 👍

I don't mind manual or auto.

A friend should be popping round this weekend with his vintage Seamaster so I can try it for size (it'll be interesting to see if 34mm looks ok) ...and get the model code 😀

As mentioned above, it doesn't have to be a Seamaster; just of similar design.

Cheers
 
norb1967
Posts
498
Likes
410
Often the lugs are quite long, so they give a lot more presence to the watch. Especially with beefy lug SMs (ref 2846/8 is a common one)
 
Dan S
Posts
24,398
Likes
54,294
wadsy wadsy
Any thoughts on budget please?

Cheers

Depends a lot on the particular reference (e.g. size, movement, chronometer vs. non-chronometer), whether bracelet is included or not, condition, serviced or not serviced, etc. Anywhere from $500-$1500.
 
eternalover
Posts
493
Likes
674
I know it is prob a separate thread but is there a lyre lug seamaster in this version at 36 mm I can only find manua plain l 2971 with the shape I like most.
 
3 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

N

Seamaster - Advice please

NickA Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
N
NickA
Posts
8
Views
2K
B

Vintage Seamaster Advice please

bulldog8934 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Geezer
Geezer
Posts
12
Views
2K
B

New Member Advice Please 1000s of Parts Omega Rolex Tissot etc.

baxteruk Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
DON
DON
Posts
80
Views
6K
stevemanfa

Can any give me some advice please

stevemanfa Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
stevemanfa
stevemanfa
Posts
9
Views
612
Amg786s

Hands look iffy? Need advice please

Amg786s Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Amg786s
Amg786s
Posts
6
Views
619
ElmaSurat123

First Seamaster Advice

ElmaSurat123 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
X350 XJR
X350 XJR
Posts
9
Views
3K