Omega Geneve Day-Date 166.0117 Cal. 1022

AndrewD · 2010-08-14T17:00:10Z

Explore the Omega Geneve Day-Date Ref. 166.0117 with Cal. 1022 movement. AndrewD's review covers its history, design, and features.

AndrewD

WPS member · Omega forum

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AndrewD's detailed post on the Omega Geneve Day-Date Ref. 166.0117 offers a valuable look into a classic yet often overlooked vintage Omega. His insights into its Cal. 1022 movement, case dimensions, and design elements provide a comprehensive overview for collectors interested in the brand's mid-century offerings. This piece highlights Omega's commitment to functional legibility and robust engineering during the 1970s.

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Hi All,

When I came across this Geneve Day-Date, I couldn’t resist giving it a good home.

This example (Ref. 166.0117) was part of the Omega International Collection produced from 1972 to 1979 with a retail price of CHF230 in 1972. It houses the Cal. 1022 automatic movement which was the evolution of the 1000 series introduced in 1968 and used in a range of Omega watches of the time.

The Cal. 1022 was introduced in 1972 and the standard Omega movement tables date this watch to 1972. The Cal. 1022 movement is relatively thin (4.25mm) and has a simple electroplated copper finish and a rather inelegant regulator, particularly when compared to the 500 series watches from the previous decade. The Cal. 1022 movement does, however, have some useful features such as hacking seconds, quick date correction and instantaneous date change. The 23 jewel movement beats at 28,800vph.

The steel case measures 35x10.5mm and the dial features the typical functional legibility that Omega is admired for; even without “Omega” on the dial it would be hard to mistake this for any other brand. The hesalite crystal has the central Omega logo and the stick hands have a luminous inlay.

A classic and still very wearable and functional watch to my eyes.

Andrew

Key Points from the Discussion

The Omega Cal. 1022 movement is noted as one of the last true in-house calibers before Omega began using modified ETA movements in the mid-1970s, featuring useful functions like hacking seconds and quick date correction.
The Geneve line is appreciated for its elegant and clean aesthetic, with specific design elements like the black second hand and precise alignment of hands with hour markers drawing praise.
The Geneve series is considered an elegant line from Omega's past, with other collectors sharing examples of their own Geneve watches, including those with Cal. 601 and Cal. 602 movements, highlighting the variety within the line.
A video tutorial on the Omega Cal. 1022 movement is shared, providing a 'nuts and bolts' look at its mechanics for those interested in the technical aspects.
The hesalite crystal with the central Omega logo is a key detail that enhances the vintage appeal and pleasure of these watches.

The Discussion

Ruckdee

Aug 14, 2010

...the third through fifth shots? Ruckdee

mac_omega

Aug 14, 2010

I think it is a "head shot" instead of a wrist shot... To be serious - I guess it is some fur. erich

blomman Mr Blue

Aug 15, 2010

Love this kind of “ clean “ watches with something “ extra “ ! Also the black second hand I think is brilliant and also that the black markings on the hour and minute hands are clearly inside the hour indexes. Thanks for sharing this with a “ Omega hang-around ” Best Blomman

G99

Aug 15, 2010

if my memory serves correct this is one of the last of the true in-house calibres before they started using modified ETA calibres in the mid 70's. i owned one in years gone buy, but never realised you could quick set the day. you live and learn. its weird listening too you on the video as we often make an impression of the person we email regularly. its human nature i think, so when i heard you talking i thought 'this isnt Andrew, he's a highly respected Doctor, always smartly dressed in the wri

AndrewD

Aug 15, 2010

Hi Graham, Pleased you enjoyed the video, and that I was able to teach you something about the Cal. 1022. I found out about the quickset day and date from a contemporary instruction manual; the Internet is a wonderful resource. Apologies for the Australian accent. But you're right, we all speak funny like that down here! And of course it's the multicultural nature of this community that makes it so interesting. My 'collection', for what it's worth, is all over the place. Just watches that I like

G99

Aug 15, 2010

i look forward to it Andrew. interestingly, regarding accents, if you listen to some english historians they claim that in the age of Shakespeare we in england spoke with the antipodean accent. their theory is that the original settlers in Australia were isolated and kept their original accent whilst the english mixed with other europeans and our accent changed. its probably a load of rubbish and an excuse for 10 years research grant, but interesting nonetheless. best Graham

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