THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: OMEGA
MODEL: 166.0250
YEAR: 1978
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The Seamaster name carries serious weight in Omega’s back catalogue. The most famous is undoubtedly the SM300—their flagship diver line, first released in 1957. A decade later, the brand introduced the Seamaster 120 line as a “comfortable and affordable” alternative to its larger siblings. The first Seamaster 120, ref. 135.027, features a slim 37mm case that wears similarly to a Rolex Small Crown.

Between 1967 and 1984, Omega released around a dozen Seamaster 120 variants with distinct case shapes, dial designs, and bracelet configurations. Among these, the non-identical twins—ref. 165.0250 and 165.0251—are probably our favourites.

The present example, ref. 166.0250 "Baby Ploprof," was the first Seamaster 120 to resemble the larger and iconic Seamaster 600, boasting a 40mm case with 22mm lugs and bracelet ends. The C-shaped case and mesh bracelet wear wonderfully on both smaller and larger wrists. The original dial and bezel have aged beautifully, with the tritium lume developing a dark, creamy patina. The case is very honest and strong, proudly carrying the little marks it has gathered over the years. The original full-length bracelet can fit wrists up to 20.5 inches.

If the watch itself isn't cool enough for you, it was actually gifted to the original owner as a prize at a shooting academy (Easter egg on the clasp). The movement was serviced within the past year and was recently checked over—running at +3 s/d, 272 amps, with a beat error of 0.2 ms.