Omega - De Ville - No reserve price - 566.006 - Women - 1966

Available now on auction by Second Vintage The Omega De Ville line emerged in the 1960s as a masterclass in refined, sophisticated watchmaking, seamlessly blending the robust reliability of the Seamaster heritage with unparalleled dress watch elegance. This particular ladies' timepiece stands as a testament to Omega’s mid-century design prowess, featuring a beautifully proportioned case, a gorgeous sunburst dial, and an integrated-style stainless steel mesh bracelet that drapes fluidly on the wrist. Retaining its Seamaster caseback medallion, it represents a fascinating transitional era in Omega's catalog, offering collectors a mechanically sophisticated and aesthetically timeless piece of horological history. Brand: Omega Model: De Ville Reference Number: 566.006 Serial Number: 24395959 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 681, 24 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices and black inserts, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 27 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1966 Condition: Excellent vintage condition, beautifully preserved with a pristine dial Dial and Hands The watch features a striking silver sunburst dial that catches the light beautifully, radiating outward from the center pin. It is adorned with applied, faceted baton indices featuring crisp black inserts, providing excellent legibility and a stark, elegant contrast against the silver backdrop. The dial furniture includes an applied silver-toned Omega emblem at twelve o'clock and a stepped, framed date aperture at three o'clock. The typography is precise, with serif "OMEGA AUTOMATIC" and sans-serif "DE VILLE" text remaining perfectly intact. The dial is in stunningly clean condition, showing virtually no spots, moisture marks, or discoloration, representing a remarkably well-preserved vintage aesthetic. The matching stick hands feature identical black inserts and remain in excellent shape, sweeping smoothly over the dial without any visible corrosion. Case and Crystal The 27mm stainless steel case features an elegant, classic profile with straight lugs and a smooth, polished bezel. The case transitions cleanly between its polished and brushed surfaces, maintaining sharp, well-defined lines that indicate careful wear over the decades. Honest, superficial handling marks are present on the flanks and bezel, entirely consistent with its vintage age, but the case remains free of deep scratches or heavy wear. The screw-down caseback is a particular highlight, featuring a deeply engraved and highly defined Seamaster Hippocampus medallion alongside crisp "WATERPROOF" text. The knurled crown is original and proudly bears the Omega signature. The dial is protected by a domed acrylic crystal that presents very clearly, allowing unobstructed views of the pristine dial beneath. Movement Powering this elegant timepiece is the in-house Omega Caliber 681, a sophisticated 24-jewel automatic movement. The close-up images reveal the beautiful copper-toned finishing characteristic of Omega’s mid-century calibers, remaining exceptionally clean and visually striking. The movement bridge clearly displays the caliber engraving, alongside the serial number 24395959, which accurately dates the production of this watch to approximately 1966. The mechanism is adjusted to two positions, highlighting Omega's commitment to precision even in their smaller calibers. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher records a deviation of -9 to -12 s/d with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is fitted with an original, period-correct stainless steel mesh bracelet that perfectly complements the elegant mid-century design. The tight, fluid weave of the mesh offers incredible comfort and a jewelry-like presence on the wrist. The fold-over clasp is prominently signed with the applied Omega logo and remains in excellent working order, showing light surface scratches consistent with the rest of the case. Condition This timepiece is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable star, remaining exceptionally clean and vibrant, free from the spotting or degradation often seen in watches of this era. The stainless steel case retains its structural integrity and sharp lines, displaying only light, honest signs of wear. The caseback engraving is wonderfully crisp, and the original mesh bracelet completes a highly collectible and perfectly preserved package. Dimensions Case Size: 27 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist Size: 19 cm Remarks A superb example of mid-century ladies' horology, this timepiece effortlessly bridges the gap between a robust daily wearer and an elegant evening watch. The combination of the Seamaster waterproof heritage, the De Ville's refined dial layout, and the beautifully integrated mesh bracelet makes this an outstanding addition to any serious vintage collection. History Originally introduced in the late 1950s as a dressier sub-collection within the Seamaster line, the De Ville eventually became its own distinct family of watches in 1967. This particular piece, bearing both the De Ville name on the dial and the Seamaster logo on the caseback, perfectly captures that transitional period. It was designed for a clientele that desired the proven durability and water resistance of the Seamaster but preferred a slimmer, more sophisticated aesthetic suited for formal and everyday elegance. / Second Vintage SKU: OME-ODV-0030