Omega 166.0196
Introduction
Move over Tissot PRX - the godfather is here and he is still looking exceptional. When I reviewed my Seiko 3883-7000 and called it my favourite watch, this Omega reference 166.0196 watch is not too far behind that watch in terms of where it sits in my collection. This watch was made in the 1970s and it has an automatic winding Omega calibre reference 1022, and an integrated bracelet design.
Three things I like
Integrated bracelet: The integrated bracelet design gives this watch a very modern edge over many of the other watches of its era. The bracelet is also very beautiful with a lot of depth due to its angular facets and bevels and it is a real joy to observe the way it catches light.
Dial: The dial is sublime with its ombré effect, where the centre of the dial is a greyish-blue that darkens to black at the edge of the dial. To my knowledge, this dial setting is very rare - much rarer than the grey or black dials commonly seen on this reference.
Case: Like the bracelet, the case has a lot of depth given its many facets and bevels and it compliments the bracelet very well.
Three things I dislike, or wish were different
Lume: The lume on this watch contains tritium and it is most likely still radioactive. Even though the radioactivity of the tritium on this watch is apparently very mild, I am just not a fan of radioactive lume.
Day and date functions: By now, you will probably know that I am not a fan of watches with day and date functions - especially when these functions break the symmetry of the watch's dial.
Clasp: The clasp is a tad fiddly to put on.
I hope you have enjoyed this review.