Past2Present Watches

SPECIFICATION

Reference: Omega Deville 166.0161
Movement: Cal 1012
Age: circa 1973
Case Size: 35mm
Case Thickness: 10mm
Lug to Lug: 41mm
Lugs: 18mm
Condition: used Omega watch
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty UK only

 POINTS OF MENTION

The De-Ville idea was introduced in 1960 but not as an independent line, It took until 1963 that the De-Ville signature for the first time appears on an Omega dial. And finally in 1967 the De-Ville becomes its own collection, its own page in the Omega catalogue

THE WATCH

This is a beautiful example of the Omega De Ville Date, reference 166.0161, featuring a striking brushed dial. The baton hour markers, each accented with black inlay, perfectly match the similarly styled hands—bringing a cohesive and refined look to the overall design.

Inside, it houses the dependable 23 jewel Omega Cal 1012 automatic movement, set within a 35mm stainless steel case. The case back proudly displays the De Ville name. We've fitted it with a black leather strap, though the versatile design means it can easily be dressed up or down with different strap choices to suit any occasion.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, Omega started out as La Generale Watch Co., an unassuming, but international business. It wasn't until 1885, when the company had been taken over by Louis' sons, that the first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador, was released. By 1903, the company had renamed itself Omega and only two years later were they the official timekeepers at many sporting events across Switzerland. Omega stepped onto an international stage in 1932 as the official timekeepers at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first of over 20 Olympic Games. Omega were one of the 12 companies, now known as the Dirty Dozen, commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during the Second World War. One of Omega's most iconic watches, the Seamaster, was introduced in 1948 to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Over 70 years later, it is still one of Omega's best selling watches. Omega made headlines in 1962 when Wally Schirra wore the Speedmaster as part of NASA's first crewed spaceflight programme, making the Speedmaster the first watch to enter space. It was only a few years before the Speedmaster became the official chronograph for the American space missions and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as well as the Apollo 13 crew. Omega are still involved with NASA and have been instrumental in creating vital pieces of equipment for space exploration. Omega's reputation continued to soar in the 1990s with Omega Seamaster worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. As well as post-1995 James Bonds, Omega has been worn by the likes of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Prince William, Rory McIlroy, Ringo Starr, Michael Phelps, Cindy Crawford and George Clooney.

OUR THOUGHTS

The Omega Deville at 35mm is a fantastic option for a daily wear, its bold enough to be on show, but slips under a cuff well. The 1012 movement has a lovely sweep, its fully serviced and will run and keep time beautifully for years to come. We have brought this Omega De-Ville from the past to the present, ready for you to take on into the future.

PAST — Every watch has one

The story doesn't begin when a watch arrives at Past2Present. Some have survived remarkably untouched. Others carry decades of wear. Cases soften, dials change, bracelets acquire their marks and movements tell their own mechanical story. Those signs of age aren't necessarily faults to remove. Understanding what should be preserved and what needs attention is part of understanding the watch.

PRESENT — When it reaches us

This is where Past2Present enters the story. Every watch is selected individually and then assessed as a watch, rather than simply treated as another piece of stock. Its movement, case, dial, hands, crown, crystal and general condition all help determine what happens next. Sometimes a watch needs considerable work. Sometimes the most important decision is knowing when to leave something alone.

THE PEOPLE — Past2Present is small by design

There isn't a warehouse full of anonymous watches behind the website. There are people. Buying, researching, photographing, preparing, servicing, packing and talking to customers are all parts of the same small business.

THE BENCH — Where past becomes present

This is one of the things that makes Past2Present different. The workshop isn't something outsourced at the end of the process. It's part of P2P. Mechanical watches are inspected and, where appropriate, serviced and prepared here before they are offered for sale. The objective isn't to erase fifty years and manufacture something that looks new. It's to make a vintage watch ready to be worn again.

OUR APPROACH — Preserve rather than erase

A vintage watch should look like a vintage watch. We value originality, honest condition and sympathetic preparation. A mark acquired during a watch's life can be part of its history; removing every trace of age isn't automatically an improvement. The same philosophy runs through the workshop, our descriptions and the way we present our watches. We would rather explain something than hide it.

FUTURE — The next chapter isn't ours

Eventually the watch leaves our hands. That's why each P2P watch isn't simply sold and forgotten. Its Digital Logbook records the watch and gives its next custodian a place in its continuing history. We bring the watch as responsibly as we can from its past into the present.

Where it goes next is yours.