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

Omega Seamaster 300 (Ref. 166.024) "Big Triangle" W/ Archive, 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
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
OMSM69300
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (OMSM69300)
Catalogue title (original)
1969 Omega Seamaster 300 (Ref. 166.024) "Big Triangle" W/ Archive (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 OMSM69300), 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. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. 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 Seamasters that truly embodies the golden era of dive watches of the 1960-1970's. 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, the high visibility dial, and overall larger size for a watch of its time period allows it to remain relevant to today's sizing trends. This Seamaster 300 is exceptional in so many ways. The rare "big triangle" dial, normally seen on military variants of the Seamaster 300, is absolutely gorgeous and unique. The bezel has remained in an unbelievably well preserved condition, and is the rare thick text "straight 1" variant that is only seen between 1969-1970. The original bracelet that remains in excellent condition, and the Omega Extract From the Archive complete this watch as both a collectors item and a watch you can wear everyday. Stock # OMSM69300 Brand Omega Style Diver Model Seamaster 300 Serial 286XXXXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Matte Black "Big Triangle" Millimeters 42 mm Bracelet Omega Stainless Steel "Flat-Link" No.12 Bracelet W/ 47 End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The excellent case retains strong lugs and case profiling, with honest wear from use. The case retains the original and very rare "straight 1" bakelite bezel with thick font in almost perfect condition, with no cracking in the bakelite which is very common for these early Seamaster 300s. The case back with sea-horse engraving remains fully intact and legible. The Omega flat-link No.12 bracelet with 47 end pieces remains in excellent condition, retaining 19 links and showing light stretch from use. DIAL & HANDS The matte black "Big Triangle" dial is both rare and beautiful, and remains in excellent vintage condition. The dial has taken on a faint but charming speckled patina throughout and exhibits light oil staining between the 8 and 9 o'clock markers that is only noticeable at certain angles. The dial has the correct "pin-dots" in the 12 and 6 o'clock markers which is commonly looked from when authenticating big triangle Seamaster 300s. The tritium lume plots have aged to a wonderful ivory coloration and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands have aged slightly more creamy than the dial, under U.V. light inspection the hour hand shows some very minor cracking, the minute hand remains fully intact. 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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