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Omega Seamaster 300 (Ref. 166.024) "Big Triangle" Dial, 1969 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Omega Seamaster 300 (Ref. 166.024) "Big Triangle" Dial, 1969

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
1969
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
OMSM300166024
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (OMSM300166024)
Catalogue title (original)
1969 Omega Seamaster 300 (Ref. 166.024) "Big Triangle" Dial (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number OMSM300166024), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1969. 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 special about the early vintage Omega Seamasters that embodies the "golden era" of dive watches of the 1960s-1970s. Omega has a long history and heritage in dive watches, which dates 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 reference 166.024 has a specific feeling and look that centers it as one of the most desirable vintage Omega diving watches ever produced by the brand. The bi-directional ratcheting bezel, luminous bezel insert, high-visibility dial, and overall larger size for a watch of its time period allow it to remain relevant to today's sizing trends. This Seamaster 300 is exceptional in so many ways, from the sought-after "big triangle" dial, sword hands, and the original Omega bracelet. The Seamaster 300 references are becoming harder and harder to find, as they have been a favorite among collectors for a long time and rarely exit collections once acquired. SPECS Stock # OMSM300166024 Brand Omega Style Seamaster 300 Model 165.024 Serial 29XXXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black "Big Triangle Millimeters 42 Bracelet Omega 1039 Flat-Link Stretch Bracelet W/ 516 End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The classic twisted lug case remains in excellent, minimally polished condition, boasting crisp lines, angles, and dimensions throughout, with honest signs of light use present. The original "straight 1" bakelite ratcheting bezel is very well-preserved, showing no cracks and only signs of gentle use, with lume patina that matches the dial perfectly. The new OEM Omega crystal is in perfect condition; the original crystal is supplied with the watch, but was replaced due to heavy crazing. The Omega signed screw-down crown is a new OEM Omega replacement; the original crown is supplied with the watch as well. The case back retains its original Seamaster medallion in full legible and crisp condition. The original Omega 1039 "flat-link" bracelet with 516 end pieces retains 17 links that display light wear and stretch, fitting up to a 6.75-inch wrist, with the stretch function of the base links no longer operational, which is commonly seen. DIAL & HANDS The original matte black "Big Triangle" dial is in lovely vintage condition, exhibiting only minor age and wear, in the form of a subtle speckled patina, though primarily invisible to the naked eye, and with no actual damage present. The tritium lume plots have achieved a charming and cohesive cream patina, with the 6 and 9 o'clock positions featuring the characteristic pin-dot holes, and show no degradation when inspected under UV light. The original sword hands were professionally restored with period-correct tritium lume to match the dial. ACCESSORIES

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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