zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Jeff Stein started a thread over on the Heuer forum regarding the watches you considered the "bees knees" -- the two watches you would keep if you could have only two.

When I didn't choose this watch as one of the two, he asked if that meant he could have it . . .

As it was an Omega and I have never posted it on this forum, it seems only fair to post this "almost knee" here.

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This a copy of the post at the Heuer forum about a watch Jeff describes as "Seiko-ish" and "quiet and common enough looking" to pass without notice.
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A common movement of uncommon quality,
in a common case design of uncommon metal,
with a common style dial of uncommon material and language,
on a common style but uncommonly executed bracelet,
adds up to a "stealth watch" of sorts.

It was also difficult to light properly and may have been the watch I spent more time trying to photograph than any other.

It could "be a bee knee", but the Grand Luxe takes the title of time only watch. It was close.

In this era (1968), Seamasters rarely had chronometer movements, those being reserved for Constellations. Quick set day-date movements were a new development. This watch has the chronometer day-date variant of the classic Omega chronometers of the 1960s (the 561s and 564s), calibre 751.

The case design was simple, with both polished and brushed areas and a screw down case back. But what is not obvious is that the case is 18k white gold.

The dial design is common, but it appears dark and textured compared to the typical silvered white dial. It is a textured 18k white gold. the German day wheel makes me learn something every time I wear it.

Photo courtesy of Bill Sohne, a comparison to a typically dialed stainless steel Seamaster day-date with a silvered white dial.

The bracelet is also 18k white gold, with a surprise of its own.

Yep, it is an 18k white gold expansion bracelet! The buckle style is one I have never seen on another Omega.

White gold looks much like stainless steel unless they are side by side. Look at this comparison of this bracelet and a modern Speedmaster stainless steel bracelet.

Whose would ever suspect all of this in this innocent looking watch? (Seiko-ish? Jeff, that hurts a little!!) But point taken, it is "quiet and common enough looking" to pass without notice. Would you give it a second glance?

Rather than sparing this watch for you, Jeff, I think I will just keep it around "as a spare".

You know, yellow gold might go out of fashion or something . . . .