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Omega De Ville Model Ref: ST 165.0020 Cal. 552 c.1968 - With Original Omega Boxes and Guarantee Booklet ***SOLD***

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Rare vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville dress watch Reference ST 165.0020. Produced in 1968, retailed in 1971. 

This watch is a stunning one-owner example bought directly from the first owner's family with its original inner and outer Omega boxes and the original warranty booklet, which confirms that the watch was sold new in May 1971 by SE London jewellers H. Harris. We have dated the watch using its serial number (c.26 million) to 1968. An amazing and well preserved find!

The Seamaster Deville was an icon of the 1960s, defining a new trend of more refined, minimal design as a symbol of class. It was preferred over the contemporary tool and divers’ watches for its delicate, straight lugs, parallel brushing over the dial and a darker face – unconventional at the time, though the pioneering design eventually contributed to a revolution in the symbol and status of a watch; beginning a new chapter of stylish, minimal stainless steel cases inspired by the mantra 'the best things come in small packages'. 

The watch’s popularity has seen a recent resurgence thanks to the popular American TV series, Mad Men. The protagonist, Don Draper, a charismatic and wealthy business magnate, wears the Seamaster De Ville. The costume team of this show took the watch selection seriously, opting for a series of similar period-correct watches which were the refined pinnacles of their time.

Contrasting textures across the dial; intricate brushing across the dial straddling solid gold baton markers, minimal placement of hour numbers- only at 12 and 6. Subtle ‘Seamaster – De Ville’ lettering above the 6 o’clock marker. Even the font on ‘De Ville’ speaks volumes – the minimal aesthetic achieved across the rest of the watch is most visible here.

A stunning Omega Seamaster De Ville in excellent condition for a watch of its age: almost no immediately visible signs of wear. The case, dial (a rather elusive grey dial that we hardly ever see) and hands are in particularly good condition, no obvious visible scratching along the edges or lugs. When a jeweller's loupe is taken to it, minor and infrequent marking can be identified on the case back, though it should be emphasised that this is minimal. A very sharp and crisp raised Hippocampus on the one piece case back.

For information on watches worn by Don Draper during ‘Mad Men’, see the following article: https://blog.longsjewelers.com/watches/vintage-watches-mad-men.

  • Model ref: ST 165.0020
  • Year: 1968
  • Warranty length: 12 Months
  • Box and papers: Yes both boxes and warranty
  • Movement type, calibre and jewels: Automatic, Cal. 552
  • Case: Stainless Steel
  • Dial: Grey
  • Crystal: Plexiglas
  • Bracelet: Black Leather Strap
  • Width (w/o crown): 34.5mm
  • Height, lug to lug: 40mm
  • Lug width: 18mm
  • Wrist size: Adjustable