
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Seamaster 120 (Ref. 166.073) “Deep Blue”, 1972
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 1972
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- OMSM120DB-2
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (OMSM120DB-2)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1972 Omega Seamaster 120 (Ref. 166.073) “Deep Blue” (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number OMSM120DB-2), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1972. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
There is something about the early vintage Omega Seamaster that truly embodies the golden era of dive watches of the 1960s-1970s. Omega has a long history and heritage in dive watches dating back to the 1930s. The seahorse-adorned case back of the Seamaster series pays tribute to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The seahorse logo was conceived by engraver Jean-Pierre Borle. He was inspired by an image of Neptune driving a chariot pulled by seahorses, which is why the Omega seahorses are depicted wearing bridles. The "Deep Blue" Omega Seamaster 120 ref. 166.073 is a stunning timepiece that is both functional and stylish. Its combination of beauty, history, and performance makes it a true collector's item, and a watch that you can be proud to wear for years to come. The defining difference between the Omega Seamaster Deep Blue from other dive watches of the era is execution, with an overall design that feels very familiar but with an aesthetic that outclasses its counterparts. As it was only produced for 4 years, from 1970 to 1974, the Deep Blue is certainly an uncommon timepiece and one of the most sought-after sports watches among Omega collectors. Stock # OMSM120DB-2 Brand Omega Style Seamaster 120 Model 166.073 Serial 34XXXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Blue Millimeters 42.5 Bracelet Omega 1170 Bracelet W/ 634 End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The large and noble case features extremely broad straight lugs with rounded finishing that gives the watch a very robust appearance. The lightly polished case remains in wonderful vintage condition, showing gentle signs of use. The original blue bakelite bezel exhibits some general wear and delamination but no actual cracks. The case retains its larger Omega-signed screw-down crown, which also operates the quick-set date function by pulling the crown out to the last position. The case back features the Seamaster medallion in fully present condition. The Omega 1170 bracelet with 634 end pieces retains 20 links that show light stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/2-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original glossy blue dial is vibrant and features a charming vintage aesthetic with a subtle bubble patina present that is only visible under certain lighting conditions. Apart from the dial patina, the dial doesn't feature any notable elements of damage. The tritium lume plots have achieved a lovely golden-yellow patina and exhibit no apparent degradation when inspected under UV light. The original tritium sword-style hands have aged to a slightly more green color-hue which is common in this era, under UV light inspection the hands display no degradation. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time perfectly, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Dive and water-resistant watches
Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.
Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.
What to look for
- Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
- Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
- Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
- Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.
Dating clues
- Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
- Professional dive watches: from 1953.
- Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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