Omega Seamaster 166.093

OMEGA, SEAMASTER "1000" PROTOTYPE, REF. 166.093

CIRCA: 1975 CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel CASE DIAMETER: 43mm BRACELET MATERIAL: Stainless steel BRACELET SIZE: 6.7 inches / 170mm DIAL: Black MOVEMENT: Automatic FUNCTIONS: Date CALIBER: 1012 BOX: No PAPERS: No ACCESSORIES: OMEGA Extract from the Archives confirming delivery date of May 22, 1975 to the OMEGA prototyping dept. "Budget spécial montre de plongée"In the 1960s, demand for watches that could withstand the rigors of being used underwater were high. This demand came from underwater exploration, offshore drilling, recreational activities, and use by special forces and navies. OMEGA was the leading watch manufacturer in developing these robust, legible watches and were the exclusive supplier for COMEX up until 1971. The story surrounding the birth of the Seamaster 600 is linked to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. He purportedly wanted to gift a watch that was different from the common Seamaster ref. 116.075 to friends of the Monaco Oceanographic Research Institute and Museum. This led to the birth of the ref. 116.093. There were two iterations of the ref. 116.093 with the first being manufactured in 1972. This model contained the caliber 1002. The later model contained caliber 1012 and was the version that went to the retail market in 1976. The presently offered watch is a prototype for this retail model as confirmed by OMEGA According to the Archives of OMEGA the present watch was manufactured on May 22, 1975 and delivered to the OMEGA prototyping Dept. “ Budget Special montre de plongee.” OMEGA only made approximately 300 of these prototypes. This is a good opportunity to own a left-handed prototype Seamaster that is extremely rare.