Difference between revisions of "Omega Seamaster 200m Pre-Bond"
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==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
| − | A model that is gaining in popularity but slightly hamstrung by the inability to swap bracelets. bezels and straps. The integrated appearance, so fashionable in the 1980s, now holds back the value of these models. The quartz is extremely accurate and reliable. The auto movement easy to service. They are robust watches but the bracelets can finally break after years of service and need refurbishing and the bezels cannot be swapped. There are two unofficial versions, the Mk1 with lobed crown, smooth caseback and mercedes hands and the Mk2 with normal crown, Seamonster logo to rear and sword hands but there no firm crossover point and watches may be found as official releases with a mix of parts. | + | A model that is gaining in popularity but slightly hamstrung by the inability to swap bracelets. bezels and straps. The integrated appearance, so fashionable in the 1980s, now holds back the value of these models. The quartz is extremely accurate and reliable. The auto movement easy to service. They are robust watches but the bracelets can finally break after years of service and need refurbishing and the bezels cannot be swapped. There are two unofficial versions, the Mk1 with lobed crown, smooth caseback and mercedes hands and the Mk2 with normal crown, Seamonster logo to rear and sword hands, double-lock bracelet and one piece back but there is no firm crossover point and watches may be found as official releases with a mix of parts. |
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
Revision as of 20:06, 2 May 2020
Omega Seamaster 200m Pre-Bond
The forerunner of the current SM300 models, this model was retrospectively named by collectors the Pre-Bond. It came in a variety of model forms including quartz, steel and two-tone gold, auto, midsize and fullsize, black and champagne dial, and mercedes or sword hands. The full-size auto in steel with black face and sword-hands is the most prized and hardest to find. The SM200s only came on integrated bracelet and there is no strap option available for them. It was made from 1987 to 1995 but essentially superceded by the SM300 on release in 1993.
There is also a ladies version of the model, not covered here.
Model Versions
Stainless steel
- Full size Quartz Ref ST 396.1041 (later 1051 and 1061 for all models)
- Mid size Quartz Ref ST 396.1042 (later 1052 and 1062 for all models)
- Full size Auto Ref ST 398.1041
- Mid size Auto Ref ST 398.1042
Stainless / 18K gold with gold inlaid bracelet and black face
- Full size Quartz Ref DB 396.1041
- Mid size Quartz Ref DB 396.1042
- Full size Auto Ref DB 398.1041
- Mid size Auto Ref DB 398.1042
Stainless / 18K gold with champagne face
Ref # same as with black face but added ref Black .300, Champagne .200
- Full size Quartz Ref DB 396.1041
- Mid size Quartz Ref DB 396.1042
- Full size Auto Ref DB 398.1041
- Mid size Auto Ref DB 398.1042
Stainless / 18K with Steel Bracelet
- Full size Quartz Ref DR 396.1041
- Mid size Quartz Ref DR 396.1042
- Full size Auto Ref DR 398.1041
- Mid size Auto Ref DR 398.1042
Movements
Automatic
Cal 1111 - ETA 2892 movement marked “AUTOMATIC Chronometer” on the dial
- 21 jewel movement with quickset date
- sweep second
- 44 hour power reserve
- hack function.
Quartz
The quartz versions had date and were marked “PROFESSIONAL” on dial.
- Omega 1441 (ETA 255.561) to end 1988
- Omega 1438 movement - 1989-1995
Dials and Hands
Dial options
- black in the steel with white lettering
- black with gold lettering for gold bezel
- champagne with black lettering for gold bezel
Dial lettering
- Quartz models showed PROFESSIONAL on the dial at 6.
- Auto models showed AUTOMATIC CHRONOMETER on the dial at 6.
The position of the date window for quartz and auto models is also different between midsize and full.
Hand versions
- 1987-89 Mercedes style hands on some but not all versions
- 1987-95 Sword-style hands
- lollipop second hand on all versions
- Steel hands or gold hands depending on bezel
All dials and hands are originally tritium-lumed and will yellow and age. They are prone to disintegration and degradation at differing rates and matching hands and dials are not easy to find. Mercedes-style hands are not as popular with Omega collectors (given the Rolex Submariner connection) and many watches will have had them replaced with sword ones when being serviced at Omega over the last 30 years. Modern replacement hands are luminova and do not decay so further mismatching will occur.
Case, Crown and Bracelet
Case sizes
- Full size version (40 mm w/o crown) official size 8.85 x 38.5 x 43.5
- Midsize version (38mm w/o crown) official size 8.7 x 36 x 41.
Bezel
Steel or solid 18k gold, fully rotating 60-click uni-directional. Note neither the bezel nor insert is replaceable and if damaged then an entire case must be sourced. Steel bezel has black insert with steel numbering. Gold bezel has gold numbering normally with the champagne dial but seen with steel colour with black dial.
Caseback variations
Most casebacks are a two-piece construction with outer retaining ring and centre disc. The earliest models from the first year of production have fairly plain centre backs with no engraving of hippocampus and Seamaster name only. The quartz models are concave. The later models have the hippocampus Seamonster logo as seen on most Seamaster models and are flat (auto) or concave (quartz). Later models have one-piece casebacks.
Crowns
Correct early models up to circa 1989 have a 6-eared lobed screw-down crown with Omega logo. Later models have a conventional ribbed screw-down crown, again with Omega logo.
Bracelets
Either all steel or with gold centre sections, they are unique to this model and there is no strap option. All bracelets came with a deployment with locking function and wetsuit extension.Gold bezel models also had a gold Omega logo on the deployment buckle. The early models have a single locking clasp. Later models have a double clasp at either end of the deployment. Not all gold-bezel options came with the gold centre insert bracelets and often have all-steel bracelets.
Boxes and paperwork
Normally would come in standard Omega 'Significant Moments' grey box of the period with outer white card box and warranty cards.
Summary
A model that is gaining in popularity but slightly hamstrung by the inability to swap bracelets. bezels and straps. The integrated appearance, so fashionable in the 1980s, now holds back the value of these models. The quartz is extremely accurate and reliable. The auto movement easy to service. They are robust watches but the bracelets can finally break after years of service and need refurbishing and the bezels cannot be swapped. There are two unofficial versions, the Mk1 with lobed crown, smooth caseback and mercedes hands and the Mk2 with normal crown, Seamonster logo to rear and sword hands, double-lock bracelet and one piece back but there is no firm crossover point and watches may be found as official releases with a mix of parts.
