Don't miss the next drop
There’s a certain magic to the watches of the 1960s, and Omega was arguably at the peak of its powers, producing some of the most iconic and desirable timepieces of the 20th century. While the Speedmaster was conquering space and the Seamaster 300 was plumbing the depths, there was another watch that captured the elegant spirit of the era: the Seamaster De Ville. It is, in our opinion, one of the most handsome and versatile designs ever to come out of Bienne.
For a brief, brilliant period in the 1960s, Omega combined two of its most famous model lines. The “Seamaster” name guaranteed the robust, water-resistant construction the line was famous for, while the “De Ville” nameplate signified a more refined and elegant design, a watch suited for the “ville” or town. This fusion created the perfect “go anywhere, do anything” timepiece: durable enough for an active lifestyle, yet svelte and sophisticated enough for the boardroom or a night out. It was a wildly successful concept that perfectly captured the optimistic, jet-setting mood of the decade before the De Ville would branch off into its own distinct collection in 1967.
This particular example is a stunning mid-size variant, housed in a beautiful 14k yellow gold-filled case that measures a discreet but classic 31.5mm. While sometimes referred to as a “boys size,” these smaller cases were common for men of the period and today offer a fantastic, understated option for any gender. The case is a unishell, or monocoque, design, meaning it opens through the crystal, a feature Omega used to improve water resistance. The dial is an absolute knockout, a silver sunburst finish that radiates from the center and plays with the light in a truly captivating way. It is adorned with applied, gold-toned baton markers and a matching handset, creating a look of pure, uncluttered elegance.
The condition of this watch is truly excellent. The sunburst dial is remarkably clean, showing only the faintest, most honest hints of its age, which we would describe as a gentle “stardust” patina. The gold-filled case is sharp and well-preserved, with no significant wear-through on the lugs, which is where you would typically see it. The original signed Omega crown is still present, and the case back retains a beautifully crisp impression of the iconic Seamaster hippocampus logo, a sure sign of a life well-spent, but carefully so.
