Omega

 Dear fellow Omega - purists,

 

Back home, I tried to gather some information on the model, and in particular on the reference engraved, 176.001 :

 

This exercise has definitely brought some confusion in my mind, since information is unclear about this model. What seems to be more or less clear is that :

- Ref 176.001 and 176.007 are very similar

- Ref 176.001 and 176.0001 are identical

- Ref 176.001 has been replaced by 176.007 (or 176.0007) in 1972 (as shown on the information notice from Omega):

 

- Some casebacks of ref 176.007 are engraved with both reference 176.007 and 176.001, the latter being crossed, which confirms the previous observation

 

What is still unclear regards :

- Are 176.001 and 176.007 cases absolutely similar ?

- Is ref 176.001 a prototype that was never produced, but immediately replaced by 176.007 ?

- Re. bezel : inner bezel (with tachymeter scale) could not fit on my watch, but has an external bezel ever existed for this ref ?

 

I have to admit that I gave up couple of years ago, but the post of Ruckdee revigorated my interest for this mysterious reference. I would therefore be very glad if any of you could post pictures of other examples of ref 176.001, or what is believed to be so, so that I could get closer to some certainties...

Thanks in advance for your help. This is my first post on the Omega Purists forum (I am more JLC-oriented), and hope I did not breach any unofficial rule here. Furthermore, some of you may have intervened on other fora some years ago, when I first tried to understand all this; they could here pursue their reflexions...

Best regards to all of you,

Karmin

 

 

Karmin,

First of all, the 176.001 and 0001 represents the same watch. Omega, added one zero when they changed their systems (late 60's or early 70's).

Allow me to add more mystery to your quest with my 3c:

Searching on the vintage Omega information site (I don't know if I can post a link) but you can reach using a web search tool), I was able to locate the 176.001, 3 watches,  one with an external bezel, despite of the statement "... and inside "0-60" tachymeter scale".
If you went there, be aware that you need to search using the new number (176.0001).

Another search on the outstanding work of the late Chuck Maddox, I located a discussion about this model and the 176.0007 but with a scan of a catalog (just like the one on your post) showing a 176.001 without the bezel or (my eyes are old) with just a solid metal outer bezel.

Looking to your picture #3, I got the impression that an external bezel is missing.

That's what I could locate. I don't have with me the big Omega "black book". There you may find more information.

It is a very nice looking watch. I love this 70's design with short lugs. Congratulations.

Cheers








click here

A better picture shows that all have an internal bezel.

Thanks

the only thing i would disagree with Nilo on is the outer bezel. i dont think your watch has anything missing, i just dont think it had any inner/outer bezel of any sort unlike the square ish model which has an inner tachymetre bezel.

my reasons for thinking this are that it is a seamaster with a wr of 60m so the timing is more usable for dive timing and doesnt need a tachymetre.

lovely condition piece

best

graham 

All 176.001/0001 on the Omega black book carries an internal bezel.

Cheers

But when nilomis mentioned the possibility of an "internal bezel", I realized I was wrong and that I had to refresh my memory again.

Here are a few photographs reproduced in good faith and without permission from the black book. If this is a violation of forum rule, I apologize and please remove them immediately. I meant to share this for an educational, non-profit purpose only.










I know this does not answer your question. But it may be a viable lead for you to continue your investigation with. Cheers.

Ruckdee

No message body

the watch looks fantastic, and I think that an internal tachy dial never existed on YOUR watch, as there's no room from the photos (i.e. nothing missing).

I love the nice little 24 hr indicator on the 9 o'clock dial, very nice touch.

superb watch.

Tony

Thanks a lot for information you posted and for invaluable help it provides.

I will try to replace the current crystal by an internal bezel that comes from a ref 176.007 + any crystal that would fit, to see if  they are interchangeable, and I'll let you know.

It remains that we do not know why Omega replaced by 176.001 by 176.007 in 1972 (after only one year of production), if the cases / dials / movements are similar. What could have gone through their minds ? Any clue on this ?

Thanks a lot,

Best regards,

karmin