The history of this Omega Seamaster 120
In 1966, Omega launched the Omega Seamaster 120 range, the more compact ‘little sister’ of the Seamaster 300 introduced in 1957. The brand was then targeting amateur divers – whose numbers were growing rapidly in the late 1960s – with a diving watch that was slimmer and more discreet on the wrist, available in manual-winding or automatic versions, with or without a date display. The Seamaster 120, reference 135.027, featured in the 1967 international collection, is the hand-wound version without a date. On the caseback, the seahorse medallion – the emblem of the Seamaster range – surrounds the inscription ‘Seamaster 120 Waterproof’.
Case, movement and strap of this Seamaster 120
The 37 mm steel case extends into wide lugs and features a rotating bezel with a knurled edge, graduated to 60 minutes and marked with a luminescent dot at 12 o’clock. The domed Plexiglas crystal covers a black dial featuring a railway-track minute track. The applied baton hour markers, doubled at 12 o’clock, and the baton hands are filled with tritium, as indicated by the ‘T Swiss Made T’ inscription at the bottom of the dial, whilst a slender central seconds hand completes the display. The O-branded crown winds the hand-wound Calibre 601, a 17-jewel movement beating at 19,800 vibrations per hour, protected by a screw-down case back. The watch is fitted with a 19 mm black leather strap, fastened with a steel pin buckle.
Why this Omega watch
This Seamaster 120 offers the silhouette of a 1960s diving watch in a 37 mm size that slips under a cuff, whereas the current Seamaster 300 measures 41 mm. Its manual-winding movement makes winding the crown a daily ritual, and the absence of a date window leaves the dial perfectly symmetrical. The patinated tritium hour markers and the unpolished case retain the proportions and edges designed by Omega – features that vintage watch enthusiasts examine first and foremost before making a purchase.
Contents and condition
The watch is supplied in a red Omega presentation box, with a cream-coloured satin-finished interior stamped with the Omega ‘O’ logo and a red velvet cushion. The case has not been polished and shows scratches on the lugs and middle, resulting from regular wear. The bezel insert has taken on a faded grey hue and has a faint mark near the 52-minute mark. The tritium has turned a uniform cream colour on the hour markers and hands, and the dial remains clear. The Plexiglas crystal is original and has not been repolished. The movement has been serviced by our watchmaker, and any wear is external only, with no impact on the time-keeping function.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand watch retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and collection in-store, or fully secure international delivery.
* Good condition – Watch has been worn. Some signs of wear (micro-scratches, wear marks, etc.). Fully functional and tested by our partner watchmakers.
