Passions Watch Exchange

About This Watch

Vintage. No box/papers. A pretty vintage Omega Seamaster with an automatic movement plus quick-set date in a yellow gold shell case. The watch has a polished steel screw-lock back cover and has the Hippocampus logo in near mint condition as we often see that old watches are marred with tool marks from opening/closing but there's non visible to the naked eyes on this one which is really a delight.

The yellow gold shell case is in splendid condition with no brassing on the edges and rear steel shows little corrosion. Very admirable for a 50 years old vintage. Solid gold watches are very expensive and out of reach for most buyers so watchmakers in earlier years made gold plated ones but those tend to wear very fast due to the brass base. So they came up with this example, a Gold shell which is a thin foil of gold fused over a base metal, often a steel mid-case. The gold is far thicker than plating and more resistant to wear yet cost much lesser than solid gold cousins so they were very appealing to buyers.

The 24 jewelled Calibre 565 movement is in very good condition with a shiny rotor and offers quick-set date by pulling the crown out to the last position which jumps the date. Something we don't really prefer as you'll set off the date every occasion while trying to adjust the time which probably explains why this feature was phased out but this novelty was more than a decade ahead of Rolex  and other compatriots. The original dial is aged and yellowed with some flakes on the lacquer but nothing major and part of the charm. The non-Omega strap is lightly used and will serve well. In fact, we had a client who wanted to buy this exact strap for it's rich tone but the pictures were taken so we have to decline his offer.

The manufacture number dates it to 1966. A year of much turmoil with Vietnam War gathering pace and two USAF planes crashed mid-air off Spain and dropping 4 Hydrogen bombs, igniting two on impact, the contaminated area remains a clean-up till date between the two countries. Closer to home, Singapore held it's first Singapore Grand Prix (renamed after independence) at the Thomson Road circuit while the Malaysia-Singapore Airline was created in the same year.

Further 3% discount for cash payment & we're several hundreds cheaper than other sellers.

*6% GST IS included in the advertised price for sales in Malaysia only & discount will be given for cash payment.