Omega Seamaster Dresswatch in 18k Rose Gold Diamond Markers for Sheikh Bin Salman of Bahrein ref. 166010 62, 1962

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

The Omega Seamaster was introduced in 1948 to celebrate Omega’s 100th anniversary. It was originally conceived as a robust yet elegant everyday watch, drawing on the water-resistant designs Omega had developed for military and civilian use during the 1930s and 1940s. The name “Seamaster” might suggest a dedicated diving instrument today, but that was certainly not how the collection began. The early Seamasters were refined everyday watches, designed to combine reliability and water resistance with the elegance expected from a dress watch. Many were fitted with beautifully finished dials, slim cases and leather straps rather than the rotating bezels and chunky bracelets we associate with modern dive watches. This makes the early Seamaster particularly interesting for collectors. During the 1950s and 1960s, Omega produced an incredibly broad range of Seamaster models, from simple three-hand dress watches to more substantial waterproof examples and, eventually, purpose-built dive watches. At hand we have a particularly interesting specimen. This 18k rose-gold Seamaster features a lovely case with thick, elegant lugs, a winding crown at 3 o’clock and a screw-down caseback carrying the distinctive Seamaster Hippocampus. The original crown was replaced during a service at some point in its life — hardly surprising after more than six decades. What really sets this watch apart, however, is its extraordinary dial. Special-order Omega watches were sometimes commissioned as presentation pieces for governments, royal families and prominent individuals to commemorate important events or milestones. In the Gulf region in particular, watches featuring royal signatures, portraits or official emblems were produced as prestigious gifts and presentation pieces. The present timepiece belongs to an exceedingly small series of Omega Seamasters featuring the portrait of Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the former Emir of Bahrain. His portrait occupies the 12 o’clock position, where one would normally find the Omega logo and Seamaster signature, instantly transforming an otherwise elegant Seamaster into something quite extraordinary. The even-numbered hour markers are also specially treated, with diamond-set markers adding a touch of royal extravagance. The dial is entirely non-luminous, as are the sharp original-style hands, keeping the attention firmly on the unusual presentation dial and its precious details. The watch is fitted with an original Omega leather strap and an 18k yellow-gold Omega pin buckle. Inside beats Omega’s automatic calibre 562, a reliable and well-proven movement from the brand’s famous 500-series family. The movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and is ready for many more years of wrist time. A Seamaster with a very different story from the dive watches we usually associate with the name. An 18k rose-gold Omega, a portrait of the former Emir of Bahrain and diamond-set markers make this one a particularly fascinating piece of Omega history — exactly the kind of unusual watch that makes vintage collecting so much fun. Bahrain royalty. 18k rose gold. Diamond markers. And a Seamaster with a portrait dial. One of those wonderfully unusual vintage Omegas that makes you stop, look twice and wonder about its story. Specifications: Omega Seamaster Dresswatch Reference 166010 62 34mm 18k Pink gold case Movement serial 2002xxxxx dating to 1962 Special order dial with diamonds and Portrait of Sheikh Bin Salman Comes on the photographed Omega leather strap , Yellow gold Omega pin buckle fitted Cal 562 automatic movement Fully serviced by our watchmaker