A Review of my Seamaster 300 reference 165024

Oct 13, 2014,03:52 AM
 

The Seamaster 300 ”no date” reference 165.024 was launched in 1964 (some caseback are even dated 1963) and replaced its predecessor reference 165.014, the last of the straight lugs Seamaster.


Concerning the meaning of the reference, 024 is the code for this particular model and 165 means that it is a self winding men’s waterproof watch:

1=Men’s watch

6=self winding with central sweep second hand

5=waterproof

The large 41mm case with “lyre” lugs has the same shape as the “new” Speedmaster reference 105.012 that was launched the same year. As shown in this old brochure, the Seamaster 300 is waterproof to 200 meters like the Rolex Submariner.

The case of the watch was produced by two different manufactures and the inside caseback is either stamped “HF” (Huguenin Frères) or “CB” (Central Boîtes) depending on the production year.

Here’s the inside and outside caseback of my watch with the model reference and “HF” stamp:





The screw down appeared on the watch in late 1967 to replace the “naiad” crown. This picture compares the shape and thickness of the two types of crowns:

My watch was produced in 1966 and has its original Naiad crown. I really like that feature of the watch, because - unlike the screw down crown - the Naiad crown is very well integrated in the shape of the case:





The movement used in the watch is the famous cal. 552, a workhorse produced by Omega from 1958 to 1969 and used in various other models: Constellation, Railmaster, Genève, etc…It has 24 jewels, a power reserve of 50 hours and beats at 19800 /s. This movement is well known for its reliability.


The first dial variation of the Seamaster 300 reference 165.024 bears the number “12”; after 1967, it was replaced by a large tritium triangle (this is the “Big triangle” version). The hands had a baton shape during the first years, and were replaced by sword hands. My watch has the first – most common – dial and sword hands:


The Seamaster 300 has at least 4 bezel variations, I will not go into details as this is a complicated point. My watch has the bezel type where the long 5 minutes markers don’t have any tritium on it:


Here’s the Extract from the Records provided by Omega concerning my watch. It was delivered in 1966 to French Somalia, that became Djibouti some years later.


It is a very interesting piece of informations, because this helps me imagine what the watch was used for. If the watch could speak, I guess it would have some stories to tell…here is an illustration of what French Somalia looked like in 1966, when it was visited by General de Gaulle:

              

I don’t have the bracelet for my watch, but I have found that that the bracelets used on the Seamaster 300 were the following :

1506/516 from 1964 to 1966
1035/506 from 1966 to 1972
1039/516  from 1968 to 1971

To conclude, here’s a 1970 UK ad that features the Seamaster 300 a watch “for the intrepid Aquanauts”…



This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2014-10-13 04:18:08 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2014-10-13 04:21:22 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2014-10-17 23:23:18


More posts: ConstellationRailmasterSeamasterSeamaster 300Speedmaster

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Fantastic watch ...

 
 By: nilomis : October 13th, 2014-04:25
Dr., I'm not a vintage guy but I have this watch on my short list. It will make a nice pair with my forthcoming Seamaster 300 Master. Hard to find in good shape (those SM were realy used!). Congratulations! About the bracelet, they are not hard to find. C... 

Congratulations and a note

 
 By: Franco : October 13th, 2014-04:31
Hi I am a big fan of the SM300, and yours is a very nice example. May I add that, as it is clearly visible in your last picture, toward the end of production Omega also used for the SM300 the 1116 bracelet with 575 endlinks. Best wishes Franco ...  

You may have some to share with us, Franco? If I remember well....

 
 By: amanico : October 14th, 2014-08:13
you have some stunning examples. All the best, my friend. Nicolas

Yes !

 
 By: Franco : October 14th, 2014-08:17
Yes my friend, I have quite a few of them in all shapes and references - let me put together the pics and the description and will post them in a separate later today. I do not want to dilute the response to the original poster's beautiful example. Ciao F... 

Absolument Nico

 
 By: Franco : October 14th, 2014-08:45
Yes Nicolas, let's do it. Perhaps we could have then single replies for each model. Something like: 1- Omega Seamaster 300 from 1956 to 1972 a- ref CK 2913 b- ref 14755 c- ref 165.014 d- ref 165.024 e- ref. 165.024 military f- ref 166.024 2- Omega Seamast... 

That looks perfect to me.

 
 By: amanico : October 14th, 2014-14:32
You made it, while I dream to build such a collection... Which makes a strong difference! ;) Best, Amico. Nicolas

Nice watch to wear

 
 By: Sohailahmed_777 : November 22nd, 2014-10:27
...  

That's a nice example...

 
 By: DrStrong : November 22nd, 2014-22:38
...from the same period I guess

Thanks for the review. [nt]

 
 By: Salamanca : October 13th, 2014-05:20

Thanks for a nice reportage ...

 
 By: . Anders : October 13th, 2014-06:13
and the watch is really nice

Thanks Anders ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : October 14th, 2014-00:05

great writeup Jeff!

 
 By: gensiulia : October 13th, 2014-10:11
what a wonderful reference is it? i miss my chance to get the best civilian I ever seen in my life...with a real provenance (the former owner was Marci LOL) enjoy! chris

Hello Jeff! Thank you so much for a very interesting and complete presentation...

 
 By: Subexplorer : October 13th, 2014-10:30
... of your Seamaster!! I read it with great interest and took note of the details you mention. I´m very fond of these old big Seamasters 300: tough and reliable watches sharing same golden period of diving watches with Rolex Submariners. I own two of the...  

Very nice report on a wonderful watch!

 
 By: Anatol : October 13th, 2014-11:54
I got a SM300 earlier this year and was very surprised how satisfying the watch is! A wonderful design!

Any picture Anatol ? [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : October 14th, 2014-00:11

Here we go!

 
 By: Anatol : October 14th, 2014-13:07
It came with its original 1039-bracelet with 516 endlinks but I wear it either on a leather or Nato strap or on a 1171 bracelet. I really enjoy it! ...  

It's a beauty ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : October 15th, 2014-03:40

Great writ up, Jeff! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 13th, 2014-14:32
Congrats on a very nice SM300! :) Here is a document from 1964/1965 - notice the double reference, 165014 / 165024, even though the 165024 has different case and bezel. At least Omega mention the bigger case of the 165024 and the built in crown. Best Blom...  

Thanks for the great vintage ad...

 
 By: DrStrong : October 14th, 2014-00:13
...I think I will soon come to the point where I own more Omegas than Rolex...!

Now we are talking ...

 
 By: nilomis : October 14th, 2014-06:29
Jeff., You should experience the new Omega lines. Cheers, Nilo

I already have the Planet Ocean...

 
 By: DrStrong : October 14th, 2014-06:35
...it's a fantastic watch. The re-issue of the Speedy mk2 is growing on me...

Try this one ...

 
 By: nilomis : October 14th, 2014-08:53
Dark ... And glorious. Cheers, Nilo ...  

. . . like ships . . .

 
 By: Dr No : October 15th, 2014-02:09
. . . passing thru the night. More Omegas than Rolex? I never would've imagined, Jeff.

Hey Doc, Great Post. This Piece Is Clearly Reminiscent of...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 13th, 2014-15:14
... the JLC Deep Sea - which is a great looking piece. Omega is one of those brands that I have slowly fallen in love with. From a totally vintage pocket watch, to the totally state of the art 15,000 Gauss, I'm hooked. Not sure what my next one will be, b... 

I didn't know the meaning of the ref number. Thanks for that.

 
 By: amanico : October 14th, 2014-08:12
Very interesting! I always thought that the spade hour hand came later, and that the first models, till 1966 came with the same baton hand that the minutes ( shorter, of course ). Do you have any informations about that? Here is my ex, sadly gone.... But...  

Thanks for giving a lesson....

 
 By: Darren : October 14th, 2014-20:13
on a truly iconic timepiece. The SM300 is a classic in every sense of the word, and yours is magnificent. I don't have one in my stable right now, which seems a problem! Darren

Congrats on your very nice SM300 ref. 165024

 
 By: ztirual : October 14th, 2014-08:57
and many thanks for your excellent review.

My pleasure Z [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : October 15th, 2014-00:04

A fantastic review!!!!....

 
 By: DivingT : October 14th, 2014-11:10
And as usual, with the interesting old brochure adverts and comparison information!! A great review, superb photos. It truly is a stunning watch. Cheers Tony

Thanks my friend....

 
 By: DrStrong : October 15th, 2014-00:08
....hopefully someday I will be able to add another example to my collection ...LOL !

Thank you, Jeff

 
 By: Mike1066 : October 14th, 2014-14:47
Really cool stuff. What a classic watch. And I believe you are the owner of a PloProf as well - two of the absolute all time iconic divers in one collection. Enjoy them both! -Mike

thanks for

 
 By: psfparis : October 17th, 2014-01:06
this beautiful and comprehensive review. one of its charms is the drawing of open 6 & 9 on the dial mine with uncommun bezel (as you guess i am the one who did 2nd pics (has been done by the previous owner...)) ...  

great example of an swiss Icon ! one thing for clarification:

 
 By: watch.out1 : October 22nd, 2014-00:48
calibre 552 was never used in vintage Railmasters. they used hand winding only. love your pictures ! kind regards from down under. achim