Omega - De Ville 'Serviced' - No reserve price - 166.033 - Men - 1969

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The Omega De Ville collection represents the ultimate refinement of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, born from a desire to create elegant, sophisticated timepieces distinct from the brand's robust sports models. This particular example perfectly encapsulates that late-1960s design ethos, pairing a brilliantly executed sunburst dial with the renowned Caliber 565 automatic movement. Fitted to its original, highly sought-after beads-of-rice bracelet, this watch offers an exceptional blend of mechanical pedigree and timeless dress watch aesthetics, making it a highly compelling acquisition for the discerning vintage enthusiast. Brand: Omega Model: De Ville Reference Number: 166.033 Serial Number: 29057561 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 565, 24 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, black inserts, and a visible localized patina spot between 10 and 11 o'clock Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1969 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and noted dial character. Movement have been recently serviced, and performs very well. Dial and Hands The watch features a beautiful silver sunburst dial that catches the light with a dynamic, radiating texture. It is adorned with applied, faceted steel baton indices that feature distinct black inserts, perfectly matched by the original steel baton hands, which also carry central black striping for excellent legibility. The dial furniture includes an applied steel Omega logo at twelve o'clock, sitting above the crisp serif typography of the "OMEGA AUTOMATIC" text, while the sans-serif "DE VILLE" script is positioned cleanly in the lower half. A framed, stepped date aperture rests at the three o'clock position. During close inspection, the dial presents an honest vintage character, most notably a distinct, localized cluster of patina marks located between the ten and eleven o'clock indices, along with very faint, scattered micro-spotting near the two o'clock area. The original factory printing remains entirely intact and sharp, showcasing the authentic aging process of a well-worn mid-century timepiece. Case and Crystal The 34mm stainless steel case features a classic, elegant profile with gracefully sweeping lugs and a smooth, polished fixed bezel. The case retains strong geometry and honest lines, displaying normal surface scratches, micro-abrasions, and handling marks consistent with decades of standard wear, without any signs of heavy over-polishing. The original scalloped crown is sharply signed with the Omega emblem and remains in excellent condition. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that provides a warm, vintage distortion at the extreme edges, protecting the dial while remaining largely clear of deep scratches. Turning the watch over reveals a solid stainless steel caseback, cleanly engraved on the exterior with "WATERPROOF 166033 - TOOL 106," while the interior bears the correct factory hallmarks and reference numbers. Movement Powering this De Ville is the highly respected in-house Omega Caliber 565, a 24-jewel automatic movement renowned for its robust architecture and swan-neck regulator. The movement displays Omega’s signature copper-toned plating, which remains incredibly vibrant and well-preserved, showing clean bridges and a bright winding rotor. The visible serial number 29057561 securely dates the production of this caliber to circa 1969. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate +4 to +10 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Movement have been recently serviced, and performs very well. Strap The watch is presented on its original Omega stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet, a highly desirable and exceptionally comfortable vintage option. The bracelet features the correct endlinks stamped with the "564" designation, ensuring a proper fit against the case. The folding clasp is deeply embossed with the Omega logo and shows standard desk-diving marks consistent with the rest of the watch. The bracelet retains excellent articulation and is currently sized to accommodate up to an 18cm wrist. Condition This Omega De Ville is presented in good vintage condition. The case and original beads-of-rice bracelet show honest, age-appropriate surface wear, retaining their structural integrity and vintage charm. The dial exhibits a beautiful sunburst finish alongside the explicitly noted localized patina cluster near the eleven o'clock position, which adds unique character without compromising the overall legibility or authentic appeal. The Caliber 565 movement is visually stunning and mechanically sound. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures a classic 34 mm in diameter, excluding the signed crown. The accompanying original beads-of-rice bracelet is sized to comfortably fit a wrist up to 18 cm. Remarks Finding a late-1960s De Ville with its original beads-of-rice bracelet and a beautifully preserved Caliber 565 movement is always a pleasure. Despite the noted patina on the dial, the watch presents beautifully on the wrist, offering a masterclass in mid-century proportions, sophisticated finishing, and reliable mechanical performance. History The De Ville nomenclature was originally introduced by Omega in 1960 as part of the Seamaster line, intended to offer a more refined, dress-oriented alternative to the brand's rugged dive watches. By 1967, the De Ville had become so successful that Omega established it as its own independent collection. Designed with elegance, simplicity, and urban sophistication in mind, the De Ville quickly became Omega's best-selling line, winning numerous design awards. The reference 166.033 perfectly captures the essence of this era, combining sleek, timeless aesthetics with Omega's finest automatic movements of the period. / Second Vintage SKU: OME-ODV-0027