Omega

this is my 4000th post!! so i thought i'd try to do something useful and posting my SM300's is the most useful thing i could come up with. i've been waiting for a strap to arrive which is why i've been quiet over the weekend. it arrived this morning so i've taken pics and am ready to go.

as many of you know i have an obsession with collecting what i consider to be iconic watches from 1964, the year i was born. its hard to believe i only started this theme in February this year with my speedmaster 105.003. the seamaster 300's are possibly the watch that has attracted me most. i now own 3 of them all from the same year. this may seem a bit over the top to some, but there is a good reason behind having all of them and when they come up for sale you have to jump on it in case you dont see another one.

firstly a bit of history behind the Seamaster 300. it was first released in 1957 along with the speedmaster and the railmaster making an iconic trio of tool watches. despite being called the 300 it was in fact waterproof to 200m. it went through several changes over the years pretty much in line with the speedmaster. the first case was symmetrical with flat lugs and thin bezel. it had a series of different reference numbers ending in the 165.014 which dates from roughly 1962-1964. the second case shape was assymetric with curved lugs and larger bezel. this case resembles the speedmaster we all know so well. this bore the reference 165.024 and dates from 1964 to the end of production in the 70's. the early models which are the ones i will be referring too have no date, but in 1965/66 a date model was introduced with the reference 166.024. at about the same time the watch was given a larger screwdown crown. there were 2 dial variations, the first with a small lume marker and numerals at 12 and the second with large triangle lume marker and no numerals at 12. the very early models had several different types of hands, but the 2 main styles we see now are lumed stick hands and the large dagger hour hand.

there have been a huge number of fakes and frankenwatches for sale on the largest auction sites so a lot of research is needed before purchase to avoid buying a duffer. interestingly, a few years ago there were far more fakes for sale than there are now. only last night i looked through 'the site' and found several SM300's for sale all of which appeared to me to be genuine. there were no fakes to be found. perhaps the word has got out and they are no longer being produced, who knows. there is also a company in australia who make legitimate watches using new parts and old movements. the  parts are supplied by Omega and these watches will be serviced by them.

i think thats enough of a history lesson for now. some of my dates may be slightly out, but they are near enough to give you an idea of the chronology.

Here are my 3 offerings on the straps i intend to keep them on. from left to right, 165.014 on original Omega mesh, 165.024 on black/khaki nato and 165.024(refurbed) on shell cordovan. 

i wont put loads of pics on this post as they have been shown in previous posts, just a couple of each one.

a 165.014 in original condition with lovely patina on both dial and hands. this was actually the 2nd SM300 i purchased and i had good reason to do so as it is one of the very last of this model, one which is 'uncommon'. it is fitted with a calibre 550 automatic movement which still performs faultlessly.

a 165.024 in original condition, again with lovely patina. this is the 1st SM300 i purchased. it is also one of the very first of this model to be produced as it was only introduced in 1964. fitted with a calibre 552 movement which again performs without fault.

i think this NATO strap suits it very well. in the flesh it actually matches the lume perfectly.

my 2nd 165.024 and my most recent addition. i purchased this in poor cosmetic condition with the express intention of having it refurbished and making it fit for purpose which it now is. it was only pressure tested to 30m, but that is more than sufficient for my purposes. i'm lucky that i have a very good ex omega watchmaker with access to parts at very good prices. this is again fitted with a calibre 552 movement. part of the attraction is the superb movements which after 45 years still perform better than many new watches.

the shell cordovan strap suits it perfectly and is extremely comfortable. everyone should buy these straps.

i think this is now the end of my SM300 quest as i have all that i need. 1 of each model in original condition and 1 refurbed model that i can use as i would a new watch.

i hope you've enjoyed this brief journey into my mind and a small part of my collection. i would encourage anyone who wants a good reliable vintage dive watch to consider the SM300.

enjoy

Graham

Great post.  As you know, I like your collecting theme of 1964 -- a very good year.  I always enjoy reading your posts.  Whew!  4,000...I have a long way to go.

Best,

respo

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.... errrr ...

This is a superb theme: 3 watches of the birth of your year, and are they cool indeed !

The refurbished one really looks like a brandnew one, which is IMO always a bit nicer to wear than a worn one (even if it also is a very cool watch). About the shell cordovan i'm not really sure, i guess i have to see it in the flesh .... .

Oh, and almost forgot: shouldn't this post be named: " The 4 monkeys" ???

Cheers mate,

see you soon ?

Filip

i do think you should look to buy one and have it refurbed. much better than a fake Heuer chrono

best

Graham

Very nice collection !

Americano

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Impressive, my friend.

And what a nice 4000Th post, too.

I have to confess it, the Sea Master is, with the Railmaster, my absolute fav Omega Vintage Watch.

And you own 3!!!

And all from 1964!

I really love the Nato you put on the Patined SM 300.

Hope to still be there for your 5 000th.

Best, Graham, MY friend.

Nicolas

looking at the ratio of 2000 posts a year i'm sure you'll be around in feb or march 2010. i have more time now with no outside influences.

i'm pleased with the Nato, very comfortable, perfect match to the lume and cheap as chips.

there are very few Omegas left from 64. a 6xx calibre handwind would be nice and perhaps a piepan dialled constellation to sit beside me plainish one.

best

Graham

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So, we are 2 in this case...



Best, my friend.

Nicolas

Hi Graham

Congratulations to your 4000th (though is seemed to be already 4005?)

What a beauty of Seamaster watches you have collected. I am especially keen on the 165.024 with the large dagger hands. Would probably prefer it with a milstrap.

Maybe an idea for me, born in 1968. That would give quite a different collection than yours. Well, so far I stick with collecting watches I like.

But I would really like to see how your 1964 collection is progressing - ! Good hunt!

BR Hans

 

Hi Graham you know your watches from your birth year. Some of them I have never heard of .

 

Good luck .

 

Americano

 

but i have to admit that a lot of my knowledge has come from 2 masters of the brand. our moderator Mr Bill Sohne and the late great Chuck Maddox.

collecting only 1964 models is deliberate as a few years ago i ended up with over 300 watches including 100 omegas. by sticking to 1 year limits my choices and keeps the addiction in check. a bit like methadone for a heroine addiction

best

Graham

Hi Graham

I actually just alocated a:

if you want some price advice send me a pm with the details.

i may at some stage write an article on my collection from 1964, but i dont think i'll ever write one about my whole collection as it takes a long time to compose an article and 44 special, rare and unusual pieces would take a month or more to write about, especially as they seem to breed and i have more everytime i look

when i sold off my vintage and military collection 2 years ago i did it to buy a UN Freak and intended to only collect new or fairly new special pieces and watches with unusual displays, but when the opportunity arose to buy a 64 speedmaster i couldnt help myself and that started the slippery slope back to vintage pieces.

i envy all of you who get left watches by your fathers. my father wears a seiko quartz i gave him and i'm the only one in my family who is into watches other than my brother who wears his father in laws vintage rolex submariner. my son and daughter will benefit from my demise so i'll be starting the tradition in our family.

best

Graham

i try to avoid 'great watch' and write something about why i think its a great watch. if i cant think of anything constructive i dont post.

best

Graham

Thank you for taking the time to write this and congratulations on all three acquisitions.

Ruckdee

everything i've written can be found either in books, on the interweb or via other knowledgable collectors. i'm just lucky enough to have the time to put it all together into 1 post.

as for finding the watches, as i no longer work i have all day to search the web to find pieces. there are plenty out there, but it just takes time to sort the wheat from the chaff. i'm very pleased with the 3 i've now got and cant see me selling them, ever. i'll leave most of my 64's to my children.

best

Graham

This message has been edited by gmhutton on 2009-09-29 01:55:32

...is an advantage.

Ruckdee

wow, your SM300s look really nice to me.

yes, SM300 is one of my dream diver watchs.

thanks,

stefan

they are relatively expensive for omegas, but i sense that good genuine ones will continue to rise in value as will the speedmaster from the same period.

best

Graham

The 165.024 with the large indices is, for me, the pick of the bunch.

One of them with lume that worked and a water test... THAT would be the business... But then I'd want the hands from your refurbed one...and would end up with...a collection...can't do that!

Thanks for the post.