SPECIFICATIONS
Stainless steel case measuring 41.5mm
Original bi-directional bezel
Original bakelite insert
Original plastic glass
Original screw crown
Omega automatic movement 552
Published in the book “Omega Seamaster Vintage” by Alberto Insardi (2019)
ANALYSIS
Amazing Omega Seamaster 300 reference 165-024 assigned “0552” to the British Royal Navy, 41.5mm steel case and automatic movement Omega 552, from 1970.
This spectacular model was made by Omega on commission from the British Ministry of Defence between 1967 and 1971 in a small number of examples.
Nicknamed “Big Triangle” because of the large triangular index at 12 o’clock, this magnificent technical watch features a matt black dial with trapezoidal indexes covered in luminescent paste and Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9. At the center at 12 o’clock is the Omega Automatic signature; at six o’clock is the Seamaster 300 signature surmounted by a “T” inscribed in a circle, which indicates the Tritium and immediately distinguishes the specimens assigned to the British armed forces from those for civilian use. The hands filled with luminescent paste are oversized to facilitate reading underwater and are in the characteristic shape of a “gladius” sword. The shape of the seconds hand is typical, ending in an arrowhead and is also finished in Tritium. The dial is framed by the thick and wide original bi-directional bezel with a black Bakelite insert.
The spectacular 41.5mm stainless steel case ends in four lugs that curve in a helical shape. The caliber is housed inside this sturdy case body in which the oversized crown stands out for ease of grip, and is protected by the six-notch screw case back on whose surface the Broad Arrow and the assignment number are engraved above the characteristic figure of the Seahorse.
Inside this extremely technical and historically valuable watch, there is the fully copper-plated Omega 552 self-winding movement, with bi-directional oscillating weight and swan-neck micro-adjustment.
This exceptional watch, original in every part, is featured (pages 150-153) in the limited-edition book “Omega Seamaster Vintage,” edited by Alberto Isnardi (Isnardi Editore, 2019).
