{"product_id":"omega-de-ville-day-date-ref-166-0162-steel-blue-circa-1973","title":"Omega De Ville Day-Date Ref. 166.0162 ‘Steel Blue’ (Circa 1973)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"\u003eWHY WE CURATED IT:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe De Ville line holds a special place in Omega’s history. Originally introduced as a sub collection of the Seamaster range, it became a standalone line in 1967, offering a more refined and understated alternative as Omega’s catalogue increasingly embraced sportier watches. By the early 1970s, the De Ville had established itself as an expression of everyday elegance, and the Ref. 166.0162 is a particularly good illustration of that approach.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasuring 35mm x 11mm, the stainless steel case has the sort of balanced proportions that make vintage watches so easy to wear today. It is compact without feeling delicate, with a simple case construction that gives it a reassuring presence on the wrist. The design itself is deliberately restrained, which makes the blue dial all the more effective.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe dial is what gives this particular example its personality. Applied hour markers provide some depth against the blue surface, while the day and date display adds useful functionality without disrupting the otherwise clean layout. More interestingly, the dial has developed a degree of age that gives it a character no new production watch could reproduce. The tritium lume has begun to bleed slightly around the markers, accompanied by light spotting across the surface. Against the blue background, those warmer tones create a subtle contrast that makes the dial feel genuinely lived in.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is one of those cases where condition is better understood as part of the watch’s character rather than something to be judged purely as good or bad. The ageing is visible, but it remains cohesive with the rest of the watch. It tells us something about its fifty plus years on the wrist, and for a vintage collector that history can be considerably more appealing than an aggressively restored dial that has had every trace of age removed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInside is Omega Cal. 1022, part of the brand’s 1000 series of automatic movements from this period. The movement provides the day and date functionality and suits the De Ville’s original purpose well: a straightforward automatic watch designed for everyday use rather than mechanical spectacle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is nothing particularly extravagant about the Ref. 166.0162. That is almost the point. It represents the quieter side of early 1970s Omega, where good proportions and a well executed dial were enough to give a watch its character. The blue dial adds just enough personality, while the ageing gives this particular example something that could never have been specified when it left the factory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor me, that is what makes it appealing. It is elegant without becoming formal, functional without feeling utilitarian, and old enough to show its history without losing the qualities that made it a good everyday watch in the first place. More than fifty years later, it still makes a convincing case for the simple vintage automatic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCONDITION:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e8\/10. The case is in good overall condition. As seen in the listing photos, there are some minor signs of wear consistent with previous use. The blue dial also exhibits some tritium bleed and minor spotting, while the plexiglass crystal has some light scuffs consistent with its age and use. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe caseback is internally signed 166.0117, a reference associated with the closely related Genève Day-Date configuration.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Cal. 1022 self-winding movement is running well, recording an average rate of approximately ±5 seconds per day across all six positions during testing, with excellent power reserve for a watch of this vintage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOffered as watch only, fitted with a thick grey textured calf leather strap and aftermarket tang buckle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDIMENSIONS:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e35mm diameter excl. crown\u003cbr\u003e41mm lug-to-lug\u003cbr\u003e11mm thickness\u003cbr\u003e18mm lug width\u003cbr\u003eWrist in photos is 16cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCRYSTAL:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlexiglass\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCASE:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWATER RESISTANCE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAssumed none, per vintage watches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSTRAP:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAftermarket grey textured calf leather strap\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCALIBRE:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOmega Cal.1022, self-winding\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCOMES WITH:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWatch, aftermarket strap with aftermarket buckle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTERMS OF SALE:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease read our “Terms of service” below. Thanks!\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Next Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45495878123543,"sku":null,"price":3900.0,"currency_code":"MYR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0790\/2593\/0263\/files\/IMG_1051.jpg?v=1788933460","url":"https:\/\/www.nextvintage.com.my\/products\/omega-de-ville-day-date-ref-166-0162-steel-blue-circa-1973","provider":"Next Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}