Omega Deville 111.100

The Omega De Ville 111.100 emerged shortly after the De Ville line became independent from the Seamaster collection in 1967. This timing is significant, as it places the model squarely within a period of design transition for Omega and the watch industry at large. The late 1960s saw a move away from purely traditional forms towards more geometric and bold case shapes, often termed “funky” in retrospect. The 111.100, with its characteristic “TV Screen” case, embodies this trend. However, it simultaneously retained the core De Ville identity of elegance and slimness, often being described as “ultra-slim”. This reference exemplifies Omega’s use of the De Ville line during this era as a platform for design experimentation, blending established elegance with emerging contemporary styles.   The most consistent timeframe indicated points to production commencing around 1969 and continuing until approximately 1972. Several listings explicitly mention these years or “circa 1969,” “1970,” or “1972”. Movement serial numbers provide corroborating evidence; a movement number of 31070837, cited in multiple sources for this reference , aligns with Omega’s production around 1969 according to established serial number charts. While some listings mention “1960” or even “1979” , these appear anomalous. The 1960 date likely refers to the De Ville line’s inception within the Seamaster family rather than this specific reference, and 1979 seems inconsistent with the model’s design language and other dating evidence. The bulk of the data firmly places the 111.100 in the late 1960s to early 1970s window.  

Specifications

Design

The Omega De Ville 111.100 serves as a compelling example of transitional design within Omega’s portfolio. The De Ville line was conceived to offer sophistication and refinement, distinct from the more utilitarian Seamaster models. Reference 111.100 adheres to this principle through its typically time-only function, manual-winding movement, and notably slim profile. Yet, its defining visual characteristic is the unconventional “TV Screen” case shape. This rectangular/tonneau form was a clear departure from the predominantly round cases of earlier dress watches and directly anticipated the bolder, more geometric styles that would dominate watch design in the 1970s. Positioned within a production window spanning circa 1969 to 1972 , the 111.100 literally bridges the two decades. It successfully merges the expected slimness and elegance of the De Ville name with a forward-looking case geometry, making it a fascinating artifact of Omega navigating the shifting aesthetic landscape at the turn of the decade.  

III. Case Analysis: “TV Screen”

A. Shape and Form

The most immediately recognizable feature of the Omega De Ville 111.100 is its case shape. Described variously as rectangular, tonneau, or square-ish, it is most commonly and evocatively referred to as the “TV Screen” or “Television Screen” case. This distinctive shape, while vintage, often gives the watch a larger wrist presence than typical round dress watches of the era, yet it is frequently noted for wearing comfortably due to its slimness and case contours.  

B. Materials

Based on analysis of available listings and reference number conventions, the De Ville 111.100 was primarily offered in two material configurations:

1. Stainless Steel: Numerous examples are listed with full stainless steel cases.  
2. Gold/Steel Combination: Several listings indicate a Gold/Steel combination. This likely refers to a gold-plated or gold-capped bezel and/or main case structure combined with a stainless steel case back for durability, a common practice for Omega dress watches of the period. Specific listings mention “Gold Plated”.  

Dimensions and Construction

Determining the precise, universal dimensions for the reference 111.100 is challenging due to inconsistencies across sources. Reported measurements vary:

• Hodinkee consistently lists 34.3mm width x 35.5mm height x 7mm thickness.  

This considerable variation, particularly in thickness (ranging from 5mm to 7mm) and width/height, likely stems from differing measurement techniques (e.g., including/excluding crown, point of width measurement on a non-round case) rather than major case redesigns under the same reference, although minor variations cannot be entirely ruled out. The use of the very slim Omega Caliber 620 movement (detailed later) supports the plausibility of a thin case profile in the 5mm to 7mm range. Therefore, while exact dimensions are elusive, a representative size is approximately 33-34.5mm in width, 35-36mm in height, and 5-7mm in thickness.  

Lug width also shows variation in reports: 22mm , 21mm , and 20mm are all mentioned. Given the case size and era, 21mm or 22mm seems most probable.  

The case back is typically a press-in type, consistent with the construction of slim dress watches from this period.  

A significant detail regarding construction is the identification of Le Centrale Boites (CB) as the case manufacturer for this reference. CB was a respected casemaker frequently employed by Omega, notably for producing the robust cases of the Speedmaster Professional, including the reference 105.012-66 “Pre-Moon”. Omega entrusting CB with the production of the somewhat unconventional 111.100 case suggests the brand considered this design important and required high-quality execution, aligning its manufacturing pedigree more closely with Omega’s professional lines than might be expected for a typical dress watch.  

Dial Variations and Aesthetics

The Omega De Ville 111.100 was offered with a variety of dial colors, catering to different tastes. Documented examples include:

• Grey: A frequently cited color, often described as enhancing the watch’s sophisticated look.  
• Blue: Another common option, providing a touch of color.  
• Silver: A classic choice, appearing in several listings.  
• Champagne/Gold: Often paired with gold-plated cases, offering a warmer tone.  

Markers and Indices

The hour markers typically consist of applied batons. A specific variation noted, particularly on the grey dial described by Hodinkee, features applied baton markers combined with applied Roman numerals at the cardinal positions (12, 3, 6, and 9). This adds a distinct classical touch to the otherwise modern case shape.  

Finishing and Text

While specific dial finishes like sunburst or matte are not consistently detailed across all sources for the 111.100, the overall aesthetic aligns with the clean, often minimalist styles of the late 1960s, adapted to the “TV Screen” format. Dials are consistently branded with the “Omega” logo (often applied) and the “De Ville” name below it. Importantly, reflecting its production after 1967, the dials correctly lack any “Seamaster” co-branding.  

Hands / Crystal

Complementing the dial markers, the hands typically seen on the De Ville 111.100 are simple stick or baton hands. In non-lume configurations, these hands often feature black contrast lines or are fully black-painted to ensure legibility against the lighter dial colors.  A notable characteristic observed in several detailed examples, particularly the grey dial variant, is the absence of luminous material (tritium) on the dial markers and hands. Instead, contrast is achieved using black paint or finishing on the hands and potentially within grooves on the markers. This “non-lume” configuration enhances the dress watch character and is considered a favorable detail by some collectors today. While lumed versions might exist, the non-lume execution appears to be a defining feature of at least some significant variants of the 111.100.  

Considering the production timeframe (late 1960s/early 1970s) and Omega’s practices at the time, Plexiglass was the standard material for the vast majority of watches, including dress models. It is also noted that original crystals often featured a tiny, etched Omega logo in the center, a detail sought after by collectors.  

Caliber 620

The movement powering the Omega De Ville 111.100 is consistently identified as the Omega Caliber 620. This is a manual-winding, time-only movement. One source specifies it contains 17 jewels.

The Caliber 620 is particularly noted for being an ultra-slim movement. Its minimal height was a key factor enabling Omega to achieve the thin case profile characteristic of the De Ville 111.100, even with the unconventional case shape. While detailed technical specifications such as beat rate or power reserve are not provided for the Cal. 620 in the available materials, its reputation for slimness is well-established and central to the design identity of this reference.  

The choice of the Caliber 620 was integral to the De Ville 111.100’s design philosophy. By employing this thin, manual-winding movement, Omega could maintain the elegance and slender proportions expected of the De Ville line, successfully counterbalancing the visual weight and novelty of the “TV Screen” case shape. It allowed the watch to be both stylistically forward-thinking and appropriately dressy.  

Strap and Bracelet

Based on the available listings and descriptions, the Omega De Ville 111.100 was predominantly supplied on a leather strap. Common strap colors mentioned include black, blue, and brown. This aligns with its positioning as a dress watch.  It is highly likely that the original configuration included an Omega-signed pin buckle, with the buckle material matching the case (stainless steel or gold-plated).