Omega Seamaster 120 ref. 166.068

Some watches stand out because of their name. Others because of their history. And then there are watches that simply cannot be overlooked. The Omega Seamaster 200 ref. 166.068 undoubtedly belongs to all three categories.

The Omega Seamaster 200 “Banana” is one of the most distinctive dive watches Omega ever produced. Its striking yellow dial gives the watch an unmistakable presence on the wrist, making it a true conversation piece.

Designed with the diver in mind — or, as Omega famously put it, “from a walk in the rain to a walk on the sea-bed” — the Seamaster 200 combines a robust, purposeful appearance with the unmistakable design language of late-1960s Omega. Its sharp-edged case, Bakelite bezel and Omega-signed stainless steel bracelet give the watch a particularly strong and distinctive character.

What makes this particular example even more intriguing is the unusual 120-metre designation on the dial, rather than the 200-metre rating associated with the original model. This detail tells an interesting story about the history of dive-watch standards.

The watch itself dates back to 1968, a time when international standards for dive watches were not yet as clearly defined as they would become later. As a result, Omega originally used the 200-meter sign on the dial. In the years that followed, international standards became increasingly strict, eventually leading to the introduction of ISO 6425, which established specific requirements that a dive watch had to meet in order to carry a particular depth rating.

At some point in its life, this watch returned to Omega for service, where the original dial was replaced with a 120-meter dial that reflected the revised standards of the period.

Far from taking away from its history, this detail adds another fascinating chapter to the story of this particular Seamaster 200. It is a wonderful reminder that vintage watches are not simply objects from the past — they are pieces of history that continue to tell their stories through the details they carry.

A remarkable piece of Omega history, made even more distinctive by its extraordinary yellow dial and its fascinating journey through time