Omega

Hi all,

I want to share with you a not so common Geneve Diver watch which arrived today.

The picture was taken in the "blue hour" just before dusk - thus the blue tint of the picture.

I thought I should leave this tint as it matches perfectly the theme...

Does anybody know this reference?

Hope you enjoy

Erich

GENÈVE GENÈVE GENTS' LEATHER STRAP
Reference: ST 166.0119
International collection 1972
Movement
- Type: Automatic (mechanical)
- Caliber number: 1481
- Created in 1971
- 21 jewels
- Central sweep-second hand
- Functions: Date
Case: Stainless steel
Dimensions: Ø35 mm
Case back: Screw-in, Full metal
Dial:Metal, with "index" hour markers and luminous "stick" hands
Crystal:Armoured hesalite
Bracelet: Leather
Water resistance; 30 meters

Hello francois,

you have done your homework! Perfect!

Yes this is Ref. ST 166.0119 (on OVD) 

It is also shown with a picture in Omega "A Journey Through Time", on page 479 (at least in the German issue)

It is not often seen, you are right.

I bought it as it was in very good condition, still with original crystal...

Kind regards

Erich

This message has been edited by mac_omega on 2011-01-28 13:29:36

And in beautiful condition.

Here's some more information from the OVI site:

Case : "barrel" shape (35 x 35 mm), with rotating SS bezel ("0-60" scale)
For leather straps of 18 mm lug-size or SS bracelet of ref. 1037/661 or 1193/661.
International Collection : 1972-1975
Swiss retail price (1972) : CHF 230.-

…another reference that looks very much like this one: Ref. ST 366.0823.

Case ref.=ST 166.0124
Case : round (35 mm diameter)) with integrated SS bracelet of ref. 1189/191, with notched bezel with graduation from 0 to 25 minutes.
International Collection : 1972-1975
Swiss retail price (1972) : CHF 270.-

35mm is just the right size for me.
Congrats on a lovely catch.

Ed

Hi Ed,

thank you for the kind comment.

I know it can´t be compared with the SM 300 but it is a neat watch and in impeccable original condition.

I think you can´t go wrong with an Omega like this  

kind regards

Erich 

"almost" is the operative word here. ;-)
Nice unusual Omega diver that you were fortunate enough to get is such great original condition.

BTW- I had a joke with one of my watchmakers about the depth rating on vintage watches.
In your case, "30 meters" would be how far away from water you need to keep the watch. ;-)

Congrats on a great find.

Hi Snak,

I like your "words from the watchmaker" very much!  LOL

If you continue this thought:

With a SM 300 you would have to stay away 300m from the water... well this might still be OK with some exceptions, e.g. see the "shore beauties", etc. 

Imagine you have a Ploprof how far you will have to stay away from the water - you will miss all the beautiful things:

Bikini (or not bikini) girls , the smell of the salty air, the sound of the waves rolling in, ...

So with a Ploprof you have only the alternative to take your ipod and listen to Otis Redding´s  "Sitting on the dock of the Bay" - I guess you know the lyrics...

So I prefer to stay with my "30m diver" - it is near enough to enjoy all the beautiful things of life!  

kind regards

Erich

Hi Graham,

thanks for the correction - it was a bit early in the morning when I wrote my post

Of course you are right!

have a nice Sunday

Erich

Graham,
In answer to your question as to why it was called the "300" . . .

www.omegawatches.com

"The 1957 OMEGA Automatic Seamaster 300

The OMEGA Automatic Seamaster 300 released in 1957 was, in the words of an advertisement for the watch, “specially designed for professional and amateur divers.” Its water resistance was guaranteed to a depth of 200 metres. The watch was known as the 300 because its performance was far beyond the capacities of the testing devices of the time, a result of the high resistance of the crystal and the crown."


Very nice Geneve, Erich.  You are right, we don't see too many of these around.

Alex

I'd rather have three vintage SM300's than know why it was named as such, so you still win

Alex

...I understand your watchmaker, particularly since it's going to be his work that fails and ruins your watch....but to sound like a broken record... just recently, a friend took an almost 30 year old dive watch to 80+m....no problem.

The 30m rating on this one, plus the file photo of it on a leather strap....is it not better deemed a dive "style" watch?

That is right up my alley! I love the case shape and dial design ... so 70's.  35mm is way too small for my taste and on second inspection I notice that the minute and second hands don't even come remotely close to touching the indicies so legibility might not be great but none of that detracts from it being a great looking watch.  A nice "tropic" strap would suit IMO.

Regards,

Zac

Hi Zac,

what kind of tropic strap do you have in mind - any example picture available?

Regarding the length of the hands - it is all original - see picture in the Omega "bible" and on OVD site...

I will have a try in the dark and let you know about the readability (I hope that the hands still glow).

kind regards

Erich

I was thinking of:



(Pic borrowed from the web)

Sorry Erich I did not mean my comment on the hands as a criticism only meant that style seems to play a greater part in the design than function but that in no way takes away from it's desirability.   By the way this style of strap can be had NOS from the 60's (PM me for sellers details if you like) or in modern silicon in a range of colours.  I have 2 of the modern kind in 24mm silicon for my railmaster but pics are stored on another computer so I can upload them.

If you got a genuine NOS one and put a vintage Omega buckle on it I think it would really complete your uncommon diver.

Regards,

Zac

 

Hi Zac,

thank you for the picture - it looks good and you are right, it will be a good match with a diver watch.

Does it wear comfortably even in summer ??

I never used a silicon strap so I worry that it might feel uncomfortable when sweating in summer.

kind regards

Erich

30m is a bit pi** poor for a watch that looks this solid and competent, but as its now vintage that doesnt matter.

enjoy another uncommon Omega

Graham

Hi Graham,

yes you are right - it looks so sturdy and can only stand 30m...

Don´t know the reason...  can´t be the screw back - I guess the "heel of Achilles" might be the crown!

kind regards

Erich

Hello KCKL,

can you show me your grandpa´s Geneve?

kind regards

Erich

Hello again,

I have looked it up in the thread and must say it is still a presentable watch.

And what is most important - it is a heirloom - I have nothing like this left  from neither my grandpa nor my daddy.

I would cherish this piece.

Kind regards

Erich

..he had the cosmic Constellation, and a few more where 2 went missing as my dad misplaced them or lost them, he had one Rolex and a Rado too.  When it was given to me, i sent it to Swatch Omega to had it repaired cos it was not working properly.  Had the old plexiglass replaced, the dial, the minute and hour hands and the crown replaced too and the watch serviced.  The date can be instantenously changed by pressing the crown, not sure if this was correct but everything works fine.  I dont wear it often, its in the safe.

....only, a bit of a thought that a diving watch from the 1970's was only water tight to 30m....
Very unusual and very interesting Geneve model.

Congratulations on the catch and Thankyou for sharing Erich

Best
Hans