Omega Seamaster 166.003 SP 1968 — Vintage Pre-Owned Sundial

Gold-plated automatic watch — authentic rice bead bracelet

The 1968 Omega Seamaster reference 166.003 SP embodies the essence of vintage sports watchmaking with its remarkably clean, silvered sunray dial. This 34mm timepiece features a high-performance caliber 565 movement and retains its original "beads of rice" bracelet, a key marker of authenticity for collectors. A compelling example of a wearable everyday watch with robust technical specifications.

📌 Unique, pre-owned item • Open for bidding

Presented for auction by Second Vintage

A classic and highly wearable vintage Seamaster, this piece, dating from around 1968, is distinguished by its exceptionally clean, silvered sunray dial and original Omega "beads of rice" bracelet. The well-preserved caliber 565 automatic movement and the crisp medallion on the case back make it a compelling example for collectors.

Brand: Omega
Model: Seamaster
Reference number: 166.003 SP
Serial number: 27177256
Movement: Automatic, Omega caliber 565
Dial: Silver with a sunburst effect and applied gold hour markers
Case size: 34 mm (excluding crown)
Case material: Gold-plated
Year of production: Approximately 1968
Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegraph: -8/-11 s/day, excellent working order.

Dial and Hands
The exceptionally clean and well-preserved silver sunburst dial boasts a beautiful champagne hue. It features applied gold hour markers with black inserts, complemented by a framed date window at three o'clock. The printed text remains crisp and entirely intact, with no visible stains, soiling, or significant damage. The original dauphine hands also feature black inserts and display age-appropriate oxidation and surface soiling, while the sweeping seconds hand shows minor signs of aging.

Case and Glass
The gold case shows honest vintage wear, with visible superficial scratches, handling marks, and slight loosening on the lug edges. Minimal signs of plating wear and oxidation are visible between the lugs and along the case edges. A smooth, integrated gold bezel frames the dial and shows superficial scratches consistent with the rest of the case. The stainless steel case back is a highlight: it retains a very crisp Seiko Seamaster medallion. The watch is fitted with a fluted gold crown, clearly signed with the Omega logo, showing minor wear to the relief. The domed acrylic crystal has light surface scratches visible in direct light, with no major cracks or chips.

Mouvement
The watch is powered by the Omega caliber 565 automatic movement, featuring 24 jewels. The copper-colored plating is bright and clean, with no obvious signs of corrosion, moisture damage, or heavy tooling marks. The rotor and bridges have a crisp finish, and the screws appear to be in good condition. Engravings on the movement clearly indicate 27177256, OMEGA WATCH Co SWISS, TWENTY-FOUR 24 JEWELS, and 565. The timegraph records a rate of -8/-11 seconds per day, demonstrating remarkable accuracy and consistency for a vintage watch.

Bracelet
This Seamaster is fitted with its original signed bracelet, a classic gold "beads of rice" design. The bracelet fastens with an Omega-signed buckle and features end links stamped 512. It shows moderate wear, including superficial scratches, plating wear, and stretching consistent with its age and use. The bracelet can accommodate a wrist circumference of up to 18 cm.

State
Good vintage condition. The case shows honest wear with loose lugs, surface scratches, and slight plating wear on the edges, while retaining a clean stainless steel case back. The exceptionally clean, sunburst silver dial is beautifully preserved. The dauphine hands show oxidation and stains commensurate with their age. The original "beads of rice" bracelet shows moderate wear, stretching, and plating loss consistent with its age. The domed acrylic crystal has light surface scratches. Supported by the recorded timegraph reading, the movement runs very vigorously.

Size
The case measures 34 mm in diameter, excluding the crown.

Remarks
This Seamaster is distinguished by its remarkably clean sundial, the presence of the original "beads of rice" bracelet, and the solid performance of the calibre 565 movement. The crisp medillon on the case back adds to its charm for a very wearable vintage configuration.

History
The Omega Seamaster reference 166.003 was first introduced in 1962. The standard case diameter for the reference 166.003 is 34,5 mm. It is powered by the Omega caliber 565, a 24-jewel automatic movement beating at 19,800 bph and featuring an Incabloc shock absorber. The caliber 565 is notable for its rapid date setting mechanism operated via a secondary crown setting.

Payment and delivery
Payment must be made within 1-3 days of purchase.
Your watch will be professionally and securely packaged, then shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind.
We use a fast express shipping service, with typical delivery in 1 to 4 business days, depending on the destination.
Please note that vintage watches may show slight signs of wear, aging or imperfections, which is considered normal for watches of this age.
We encourage you to carefully examine all the photos before bidding. We photograph each watch from multiple angles to provide the most accurate representation possible, and the photos form an important part of the description.
The timegraph reading, if provided, is considered an indication of the movement's condition under the condition of a fully wound test. As with all vintage watches, results may vary with daily use.
If you have any concerns about functionality or defects after delivery, please contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you.
As with all second-hand watches, water resistance is not guaranteed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us after the sale has ended.

/ Second Vintage

SKU: OME-OAS-0037