Omega Seamaster 300*** British Royal Navy*** 1969

VINTAGE WATCHES » Omega Seamaster 300*** British Royal Navy*** 1969

OMEGA British Navy "0552" Seamaster 300, Ref. 165.024, production 1968 & Issued 1969
Serial: 26309281 / Military Engraving 0552/923-7697 A/168/69
Circa: 1969
Reference: 165.024

DIAL: Matte black with luminous hour markers, including the large triangle index at 12 and a circled T in the center bottom of the dial.
Luminous steel “sword” hands, luminous material has evenly aged patina.

CASE: 42mm, Stainless Steel with Bakelite rotating bi-directional 60min bezel, lyre lugs, fixed lugs, back engraved with Seamaster logo and the words “Certified High Pressure Waterproof” & Military engraving over it

MOVEMENT: Omega Cal. 552, self-winding mechanical, 24 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring

BRACELET: Nylon NATO

CONDITION REPORT: All original, the dial is mint with a crisp Fat T . The greenish lume is typical of the latest 60’s and big triangle dials (especially military ones) and this is why the lume of the hands appears a different color. Both are original. It is important to note that Fat T dials with this lume color are not service dials, but are called MOD dials as they were the result of specifications requested by the British Ministry of Defense. They were made by Omega not by the MOD and Fat T printing is less crisp than thin ones due to the printing technique used (pad printing) would be more faint. Service dials for these military issued watches do not have a T at all.
The case is worn, but appears unpolished and fixed lugs are still intact and the bezel is still in mint condition and correct tritium all around. It appears at some point in the history of this watch, this new old stock & time period correct bezel was fitted on the watch to bring it back to original. It is in better condition than the case.

NOTES: This watch is accompanied by an Omega archives extract confirming its production August 23, 1968 and military issue and delivery to the British Royal Navy (Issued 1969)

The military SM300 watches had engraved numbers on the case back, the letter 'T' for Tritium in a circle on the dial and solid non removable strap bars instead of the usual spring bar.
In several details, the British MOD ordered from Rolex the Submariner ‘Milsub’ 5513 (later became 5517) with the same specifications as these Omega Seamaster 300. Therefore these Rolex Submariner models are very unique and look very similar to these Omega Seamsters. Firstly, the atypical sword hands were copied as well as the seconds hand looking identical to Omega and being the only Rolex to carry this hand. In addition the circle T printed on the dial make thse easily recognizable as well. The 60 min graduations on the bezel and the fixed sipring bars were also inspired from this model.
Essentially, these are the predecessors to the milsub, which end up as a copy of the Omega SM300 military last series with fat T on bottom, 60 minute graduation bezel, sword hands and spear seconds hand.

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