An underappreciated Omega, it has a wonderful style and great presence on the wrist. Omega conceived the watch in 1967, and the decision to power it with the company's top-tier caliber 565 was an easy choice - its new slim automatic winding system allowed the movement to fit into an elegant rectangular watch without it becoming to bulky.
Omega's top-tier caliber 565 movement, one of the last superior 500's series movements used before Omega began trying to reduce their costs, was the top-tier offering of the 500 series. It has 24 jewels and a quick-setting date. Arguably the finest mass-produced automatic movement from era, despite the appreciation it receives it too remains not yet fully appreciated.
Introduced at the Basel Fair in 1968 and officially part of the 1969 collection, it likely was overlooked a bit at the time because of the introductions of quartz watches and automatic chronographs. This beauty left the catalog in 1975.
It features a key bolt compressor style case where the waterproofing seal is situated between the main case body and the crystal. The case body is held in place by four bolts at the corners.
A wonderfully pleasing watch, it wears larger than its 33.5mm diameter. It is 100% Omega down to the dial, hands, winding crown, and even original signed crystal!
It has just finished a true expertly done restoration and presents in gorgeous condition. The case presents as just short of mint with light signs of having been polished. The royal blue dial has been meticulously restored - the printing could pass as Omega factory done to the naked eye.
Note that it appears more purple in the photos than it does in person. It is a beautiful true royal blue.
As part of the restoration the movement has been freshly fully serviced by a Master Watchmaker.
1950's and 60's Seamasters are great buys as parts are readily available for their well-made movements, and they're not hard to service.
For the finishing touch a new aftermarket calfskin leather strap has been installed making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to the watch's performance.
The watch's page on the Omega website can be found .
An uncommon more than half-century old Omega Seamaster Compressor restored to look almost like new on the wrist!
- Manufacturer: Omega
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Year built: c. 1969 - 1975
- Model: Ref. ST 166.0042, Seamaster
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Quick-Setting Date, Sweep Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Case markings (outside): Seamaster with hypocampus emblem
- Case condition: Presents as just short of perfect mint. It has the slightest signs of having been previously polished. The sides would have been brushed. It retains nice facets. The case backs on these have often been heavily polished to remove all the watchmaker's marks from trying to open the unusual case. The case back on this one presents as perfect mint.
- Dimensions: 33.5mm wide (excluding crown), 40mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Royal blue, applied steel baton indexes, aperture for the date, perfectly refinished. Note that it appears more purple in the photos than it does in person. It is a beautiful true royal blue.
- Hands: Original, steel batons
- Movement type: Cal. 565, copper colored, self-winding, 24 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring, micrometer regulator
- Movement markings: Omega Watch Co. Swiss, Twenty-four Jewels, 565
- Jewels: 24 rubies
- Beat frequency: 19,800 BPH
- Band: Calf-skin leather, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
- Width between lugs: 20mm
- Crystal type: Acrylic, signed, original, excellent condition
- Serviced: Yes, freshly serviced by a Master Watchmaker.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please message us for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
