Omega Genève “Tropical Dial" Ref. 166.0163 (circa 1973)

WHY WE CURATED IT:
Initially a flagship dress line in the 50s, Genèves took a backseat in the 60s as Speedmasters/Seamasters rose to fame. But Omega kept iterating, bringing affordability to wrists without compromising mechanical quality. However, this piece is not about any of that. I mean, just look at it! It’s encounters like this that make us pause and re-evaluate our often futile pursuit of perfection vs embracing wabi-sabi uniqueness and charm. Probably the most beautiful patina we’ve seen on any watch and a vintage connoisseur’s dream! As is common with blue dial pigment of the time, this one unit has somehow decided to take on a golden patina that only the passage of time can craft. It probably started with some fine polarising filigree lines (some remain), but the lines have grown and merged over half a century to become this incredibly stunning one-in-a-million work of art. It took a lot for us to not buy this over for ourselves, and we think whoever snags this is very very lucky indeed as we will never find another one like it. My firm favourite from this drop.

CONDITION:
9/10, with minimal light hairlines. Dial is well, patinated. Hands and indices clean. Tritium lume plots intact and respond to UV correctly for age. Replaced crystal has small marks visible only under a loupe. Original signed crown. New aftermarket strap and buckle. Movement in very good health, with near-spec power reserve, high amplitude, low beat error and accurate to ±10 secs/day averaged from 6 timegrapher positions.

DIMENSIONS:
35.1mm width excl. crown
41.3mm length incl. lugs
11.1mm thickness
18mm lug width
Visual dial width ~29.5mm
Wrist in photos is 15.8cm in circumference

CRYSTAL:
Acrylic

CASE:
Steel

WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, as per vintage watches

STRAP:
New aftermarket olive strap and aftermarket buckle (16 mm)

CALIBRE:
Omega Cal. 1012, 3-hander automatic with hacking and quickset date 

COMES WITH:
Watch, aftermarket strap and buckle

TERMS OF SALE:
Please see our stories Highlight entitled “Terms” on our Instagram profile. Thanks!