75 Omega An historically important and very rare Omega Seamaster "1000" Prototype reference ST 166.093 in stainless steel

Estimate: € 6,000 –⁠ 12,000

Sold € 8,450

Model: Seamaster
Material: stainless steel
Reference N°: ST166.0093
Case N°: 1247/237
Caliber: 1002
Bracelet: stainless steel
Dimensions: 44 mm x 54 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement

In 1971 Omega launched a 1000 meters diving watch which took name Seamaster 1000m/3300 ft and became the most waterproof watch ever made by Omega and even when tested at depths considerably deeper than it’s rating its water resistance never failed. This incredible watch made in very limited numbers was a milestone in diving watch history. Purportedly Prince Rainier III of Monaco commissioned Omega to produce 50 watches other than the common 166.075 Seamaster 600 to give as honoraria gifts to the friends of the Monaco Oceanographic Research Institute and Museum. And the watch selected for the commission was the 166.093 Seamaster 1000. The first Grand was given by Prince Rainier III personally to Jacques Cousteau, who was a director of the museum from 1957–1988, who pronounced it to be his favorite diving watch, but given the great success of this model, further 100 pieces were produced by Omega as a public edition. During all its life, the reference ST166.0093 has been produced with two movement interations during its development: the 1002 in 1972, such as the present watch, and the 1012 which was sold to the professional and retail market from 1976. The watch offered here features the original bakelite bezel still in superb condition considering its age. The one-body case in stainless steel as well it’s in notable overall condition including the knurled caseback where the slots are very deep. The midnight blue matte dial with painted luminous baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions and aperture for the date surprises for its integrity together with the luminous white baton hour and orange arrow minute hand. The Seamaster 1000 is unquestionably a rare watch and a big piece of the diving history models.