Omega Genève Automatic Date, ref. 166.041, Calibre 565, circa 1969

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

By the late 1960s, Omega's Genève collection had become an important part of the company's range, offering well-made Swiss watches with a slightly less formal character than some of Omega's more prestigious lines. The Genève name itself had appeared on Omega watches considerably earlier, but during the 1960s and early 1970s it became increasingly familiar as a collection in its own right. This period also produced some of Omega's most respected automatic movements. The Calibre 565 belongs to the company's 55x/56x movement family and combines automatic winding with a date complication. It is a 24-jewel movement with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours and is particularly associated with Omega watches of the 1960s and early 1970s. Reference 166.041 is a good example of Omega's late-1960s approach to everyday watch design. Rather than the round dress-watch cases that had dominated the previous decade, it has a more angular profile, while remaining relatively restrained by modern standards. It is a style that has aged particularly well. At 34mm, it retains the proportions of a genuine vintage watch, while its automatic movement and date display make it an eminently usable piece of late-1960s Omega. What’s on Offer Here we have an Omega Genève Automatic Date, reference 166.041, dating from approximately 1969 and powered by the 24-jewel Omega Calibre 565. The stainless-steel case measures approximately 34mm across and 40.5mm from top to bottom, with angular shoulders and short, substantial lugs giving it a pleasingly purposeful late-1960s shape. The silver sunburst dial is one of the most distinctive elements of this particular watch. Applied baton hour markers provide a splash of blue around the dial, complemented by the blue Omega symbol and signatures, this being very rare and unusual. The black and blue-accented hands add further contrast, while a framed date aperture at 3 o'clock completes the layout. The watch also retains its original Omega-etched Plexiglass, an important detail on a vintage Omega of this age. Inside is the Omega Calibre 565, a 24-jewel automatic movement with an approximate 50-hour power reserve. The watch has been placed on a timegrapher and the readings indicate that it is currently running well. It is fitted to a black leather strap, and with an 18mm lug width there is plenty of scope to change the look of the watch with an alternative strap if desired. Condition is rated at 7.5/10. There are visible marks and signs of wear to the case consistent with its age and previous use, which we have taken into account when assessing and pricing the watch. There is no original box or paperwork. Although this watch has been tested on a timegrapher and we believe it to be running well, its previous service history is unknown. A service can be arranged through our watchmaker at additional cost if required. Simply leave a note when placing your order and we will contact you to discuss this.