What you have here is a late 1960s Omega Seamaster under case model 166.037. It is based on the case model 166.002 but with a slightly different case back between the two. From the front, they may appear like the same watch; however, because of their case back difference, 166.002 takes an "O-Ring" rubber gasket in the case (behind), and 166.037 takes a "Flat" rubber gasket on the case back. For some odd reason, moisture or gasket corrosion is very common inside a 166.037 case. Which you can see has happened on your watch as well. Cleaning the case and installing a new gasket are recommended. Reference 166.002 was introduced in 1962/1963 as a Seamaster model. In 1967, it was a transitional year for this reference, so you will find the dial will say Seamaster Geneve. And until 1968, the word Seamaster has removed from the reference 166.002 dials. Therefore, in 1968, 166.002 became a Geneve watch while the successor 166.037 continued its legacy with the Seamaster dial. So, you shouldn't be able to find any reference 166.037 without the quick-set date feature, as they all should come with a quick-set date. From what I understand, you are saying that you bought this piece for a low value. The reason for that is the unbalanced aging on the dial. Dial condition can affect the watch drastically. That said, it does not mean an aged dial will lower the value of a watch either. A well-balanced aged or patina dial will not affect the value too much. Hope you learned something! Cheers!
@@BondsApartment Yes, I have; when that happens, if you get lucky, using rodico can remove it. Or in some cases, it will naturally come out once you clean the case in the ultrasonic machine. But, when it is stuck real good, you'll need to use a thin screwdriver to remove it, or a tiny drill bit, or a Bergeon solution that removes broken screws. Always make sure to remove that broken spring bar shoulder inside the lug before installing a new spring bar.
Awesome watch! Confirm with Omega Bond Watches, but I don’t think there was ever lume on it, though. I found a post on omega forums where someone indicated that what looks like died lume is actually black onyx, not lume.
The lume isn’t working because it is tritium. Tritium paint that is. Tritium is radioactive, but its half life is, if I’m not mistaken, something just over 10 years, so by now all the active tritium has turned into radon gas, i.e. it no longer exists. That’s why your lume didn’t work. All you can do is have it replaced by superluminova, but it’s so small that it won’t really work then, either.
![Natanael Cano - Amor Eterno [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EO4prCs6WpM/mqdefault.jpg)
Great find, what a classy piece.
Beautiful watch Luke, congratulations!
Thanks Jay!
Beautiful watch. Terrific stuff on how the stuck spring bars were removed. Wear in good health, sir.
Nice watch man
Thanks!
GREAT storytelling.....loved the passion you showed through the hunt, acquisition, and finally the solution! Keep 'em coming!
I agree! And that is one beautiful timepiece.
Thanks David!
What you have here is a late 1960s Omega Seamaster under case model 166.037. It is based on the case model 166.002 but with a slightly different case back between the two. From the front, they may appear like the same watch; however, because of their case back difference, 166.002 takes an "O-Ring" rubber gasket in the case (behind), and 166.037 takes a "Flat" rubber gasket on the case back. For some odd reason, moisture or gasket corrosion is very common inside a 166.037 case. Which you can see has happened on your watch as well. Cleaning the case and installing a new gasket are recommended. Reference 166.002 was introduced in 1962/1963 as a Seamaster model. In 1967, it was a transitional year for this reference, so you will find the dial will say Seamaster Geneve. And until 1968, the word Seamaster has removed from the reference 166.002 dials. Therefore, in 1968, 166.002 became a Geneve watch while the successor 166.037 continued its legacy with the Seamaster dial. So, you shouldn't be able to find any reference 166.037 without the quick-set date feature, as they all should come with a quick-set date. From what I understand, you are saying that you bought this piece for a low value. The reason for that is the unbalanced aging on the dial. Dial condition can affect the watch drastically. That said, it does not mean an aged dial will lower the value of a watch either. A well-balanced aged or patina dial will not affect the value too much. Hope you learned something! Cheers!
Thanks for the info! Have you ever seen anything like what happened with the lug holes?
@@BondsApartment Yes, I have; when that happens, if you get lucky, using rodico can remove it. Or in some cases, it will naturally come out once you clean the case in the ultrasonic machine. But, when it is stuck real good, you'll need to use a thin screwdriver to remove it, or a tiny drill bit, or a Bergeon solution that removes broken screws. Always make sure to remove that broken spring bar shoulder inside the lug before installing a new spring bar.
Gorgeous! Lovely, classy timepiece, and a really interesting story. Wear it in good health, Luke.
Thanks David! I appreciate it!
Awesome watch!
Confirm with Omega Bond Watches, but I don’t think there was ever lume on it, though. I found a post on omega forums where someone indicated that what looks like died lume is actually black onyx, not lume.
Very interesting! I’ll have to find out. Very good to know.
The lume isn’t working because it is tritium. Tritium paint that is. Tritium is radioactive, but its half life is, if I’m not mistaken, something just over 10 years, so by now all the active tritium has turned into radon gas, i.e. it no longer exists. That’s why your lume didn’t work. All you can do is have it replaced by superluminova, but it’s so small that it won’t really work then, either.