Omega Seamaster De Ville Automatic Cal.565 14ct 1966

Omega Watches

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the ’50s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over the years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962 astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission and in 1969, two Omega Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Omega Seamaster was introduced by Omega in 1948 and has remained in production continuously ever since.

Description

Here we have an Omega Seamaster with the Calibre 565 date automatic movement and 32mm, 14ct yellow gold case. The watch also carries a beautiful fully restored off-white dial and is in tip-top condition. The highly regarded movement in particular, is in spectacular condition.

Omega Seamaster watches have always been highly regarded for their accuracy and dependability and these are considered one of the most practical everyday vintage watches one can buy.

The Dial

The Seamaster was initially introduced as a ‘sporty’ dress watch and due to its popularity and success, divers versions were later introduced in the 1970s. The Seamaster Ploprof for example, was used by Jacques Cousteau in a series of experimental dives, to depths of around 500 metres.

The style here is classic 1960s Omega, comprising of an off-white dial with applied yellow gold ‘baton’ hour indices, matched with original classic ‘index’ hands. The dial carries an applied gilt Omega brand and is signed ‘Omega’ and ‘Automatic’, with ‘Seamaster’ and ‘De Ville’ in the lower part of the dial and ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom below the 6.

The dial catches the light beautifully as we have tried to demonstrate in the photographs, however it looks much better face to face in real life.

This is the original Omega dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK. Please take a close look at the beauty of the dial and the quality of the restoration, as it is in truly, immaculate condition.

Movement

This is the top grade Cal.565, 24 Jewel movement which is the same movement as used in the top of the range Chronometer rated Omega Constellation of the same period. This movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability. Here, the beryllium bronze movement is in absolutely tip-top condition and looks as good in fact, as the day it was made.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced, meaning complete disassembly of the watch movement to all its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably. When tested immediately following its service, the movement was performing within +7 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is truly outstanding for any watch of this age and has been checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has a superb 50-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than pleased to offer 12 months’ warranty with this watch*.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’ and ‘Swiss’ along with the Calibre number 565 and 24 Jewels. The movement also carries the movement serial number 23365218 which dates the manufacture of the movement to 1966.

* Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

A very high quality, Omega swiss made 14ct yellow gold, advanced two-piece watch case, designed for improved water and dust resistance. This is a good case size for the period at 32mm, excluding the original Omega signed crown.

The watch case is in immaculate condition with no marks, scratches or dings visible to the naked eye and importantly is of full-thickness, having never been inscribed. As can be seen in the photographs, the Omega Seamaster motif is clear and crisp, showing this watch has not been over-polished.

Inside the case-back, all the markings are correct and as expected with the Omega Watch Co. triangle and Geneva Swiss 14ct hallmarks.

The two-piece watch case was designed to be waterproof when new and all the rubber seals have been replaced. However, the watch case has not been pressure tested and its water resistance is not guaranteed. As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The original, integral, heavy woven link Omega 14ct bracelet is in close to as new condition and is of its original full length at 18cm to 18.5cm. This is adjusted using the three-step Omega ladder locking catch. The bracelet has simply been cleaned and lightly polished to bring it back to the condition you see here. This watch and bracelet will fit an average to a slightly larger sized wrist.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1966.

Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will also be provided at the time of sale,  along with our ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

The Original Omega presentation box, as shown in the photographs, is included in the sale of this watch.

In Conclusion

A truly beautiful top of the range, 1960s 14ct Omega Seamaster De Ville on its original bracelet and in wonderful condition. If you are looking for a great example of a top marque Omega with one of Omega’s best ever automatic movements, this watch ticks all the boxes. The movement is of a very high grade and is an equal to watches much more expensive than this. Indeed when new, this watch would have cost more than the equivalent gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Omega Seamaster watches are highly collectable and the desirability of this watch means its value will always remain strong.

In addition to being perfectly practical for everyday use, this watch will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece, as well as be something wonderful to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! Even though vintage gold Omega watch prices continue to climb, we still feel sure that top class examples such as this are underpriced. This is because as time passes and the world market for vintage gold Omega watches continues to grow, limited supply means prices will inevitably climb ever higher.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and unfortunately out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges, however attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those that happen to visit the UK on occasion we are of course more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and your watch directly to you there.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions, please call our landline 020 7727 7095 or mobile 07515 949 250 or if calling from overseas our landline number is +44 207 727 7095 or mobile +44 7515 949 250.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.