Omega Genève, Ref. 166.0119, Cal. 1481, Men’s Diving Vintage Watch, 1972

Omega Genève 1972 — First impression - 166.0119

The Omega Genève Ref. 166.0119 is a quintessential 1970s sports-diver, combining bold tool-watch aesthetics with the refinement of Swiss watchmaking. Its 35 mm stainless-steel case houses a matte black dial with oversized lume-filled markers, ensuring excellent legibility under all lighting conditions. The wide, notched rotating bezel gives the watch its unmistakable utilitarian character, while the automatic Cal. 1481 movement powers time and date reliably. This reference reflects Omega’s push to make the Genève line more robust and sporty during the early 1970s.

Omega Genève — Matte Black Dial

The dial is a deep matte black, absorbing light to maximize contrast with the white rectangular indices. A clean minute track encircles the dial, paired with bold lume plots that glow strongly after light exposure. The date window at 3 o’clock is framed cleanly, with a white disc and black numerals for easy reading.

Genève 166.0119 — Hands

The wide baton-style hands with lume inserts are designed for quick visibility, complemented by a central sweep seconds hand featuring a luminous tip. This configuration provides at-a-glance readability, crucial for timing dives or any sporting activity.

Omega Genève 166.0119 — Brushed Stainless-Steel Case

The 35 mm tonneau-shaped case features brushing not only on the top surfaces but also along the sides, creating a rugged, purposeful look. The unidirectional rotating bezel, with engraved numerals and minute markers, serves as a timing tool and reinforces the watch’s diver DNA. A flat acrylic crystal protects the dial while preserving the vintage character.

Genève 166.0119 — Crown

The original Omega-signed crown sits at 3 o’clock, featuring a grippy profile for secure adjustment even with wet hands. Its originality is a strong point for collectors, as many examples have lost their signed crowns over decades.

Omega Genève — NATO Strap

This watch is currently paired with a military-style olive-green NATO strap. While aftermarket, it complements the watch’s tool-watch personality and makes it ready for immediate wear. The original configuration would have included a steel bracelet or leather strap, which can easily be sourced by collectors seeking period correctness.

Omega Genève 1972 — Automatic Cal. 1481 Movement

Inside beats the Omega Cal. 1481, a Swiss automatic movement running at 21,600 A/h, known for its durability and low-maintenance design. This calibre features a semi-quickset date and bi-directional winding rotor, offering efficient power reserve build-up. The watch has been fully serviced, lubricated, and regulated, ensuring precise performance and reliable daily wear capability.

Heritage of the Omega Genève Divers

The Genève line, originally positioned as Omega’s entry into accessible luxury, became a platform for experimental sportier designs during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This reference is a fine example of that shift, bridging the gap between dressier Genève models and the professional Seamaster divers. To explore more, visit our Omega vintage watches selection including rare diver references. You can also browse other collectible vintage diving watches from the 1970s for comparison.

Omega Genève — Condition, Originality, Warranty & Worldwide Shipping

This example is in excellent overall condition with a crisp bezel, clean dial, and sharp case lines showing uniform brushing. It retains its original signed crown and fully serviced Cal. 1481 movement. The watch is fully operational and offered with a 12-month mechanical warranty. Worldwide insured shipping is available, making this a strong addition to any vintage diver collection.