Omega Seamaster 300*** British Royal Navy*** 1970
OMEGA British Navy "0552" Seamaster 300, Ref. 165.024, production 1968 & Issued 1970
Serial: 26296219 / Military Engraving 0552/923-7697/A/729/70
Circa: 1970
Reference: 165.024
DIAL: Matte black with 'Big Triangle' luminous tritium hour markers.
Luminous steel “sword” hands, luminous material has evenly aged patina.
CASE: 42mm, Stainless Steel with Bakelite rotating bi-directional 60min bezel, lyre lugs, fixed lugs, back engraved with Seamaster logo and the words “Certified High Pressure Waterproof” & Military engraving over it:
0552/923/7697/A/729/70
MOVEMENT: Omega Cal. 552, self-winding mechanical, 24 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring
BRACELET: Nylon NATO
CONDITION REPORT: The dial is mint and original, but does not have the military issued circled T (service dial). The hands appear to have been color matched according to the UV test.
The case is worn, maybe lightly polished, and fixed lugs are still intact and the bezel is good condition and correct tritium all around, but shows some signs of bubbling in the bakelite. It appears at some point in the history of this watch, this new old stock & time period correct bezel was fitted on the watch to bring it back to original. It is in better condition than the case.
NOTES: According to the Omega Museum, the present watch was manufactured on March 1, 1968 and military issue and delivery to the British Royal Navy (Issued 1969)
The military SM300 watches had engraved numbers on the case back, the letter 'T' for Tritium in a circle on the dial (this one was replaced during service) and solid non removable strap bars instead of the usual spring bar.
In several details, the British MOD ordered from Rolex the Submariner ‘Milsub’ 5513 (later became 5517) with the same specifications as these Omega Seamaster 300. Therefore these Rolex Submariner models are very unique and look very similar to these Omega Seamsters. Firstly, the atypical sword hands were copied as well as the seconds hand looking identical to Omega and being the only Rolex to carry this hand. In addition the circle T printed on the dial make thse easily recognizable as well. The 60 min graduations on the bezel and the fixed sipring bars were also inspired from this model.
Essentially, these are the predecessors to the milsub, which end up as a copy of the Omega SM300 military last series with fat T on bottom, 60 minute graduation bezel, sword hands and spear seconds hand.
SOLD |