Omega Seamaster 120M “Alveoles” | Quartz Cal. 1342 | Bi-Metal | 1979

Description

The Seamaster “Alveoles” is one of those late-70s Omega designs that rewards a closer look. At first glance it feels sporty and purposeful. Spend a minute with it and the details start to land. The gilt dial features a recessed center with an internal minute track, framed by individually raised lume dots at each hour. This is the rarer execution, and it gives the dial real depth instead of flat decoration.

The hands are lume filled with sharp, pointed tips, and the date sits cleanly at 3 o’clock. Surrounding it all is a bi-metal case with a gilt bezel, finished with recessed dot markers that mirror the dial layout. It’s cohesive in a way Omega did extremely well during this period. The shielded crown adds to the tool-watch character without making the case bulky.

Flip it over and you get the oversized Seamaster logo stamped into the press-down case back, a proper signature of the era. The integrated Omega bracelet with push-release clasp completes the package and locks this watch firmly into its late-1970s identity.

Powering the watch is the Omega quartz Calibre 1342, a robust and accurate movement that helped Omega define its quartz Seamaster line during the transition years. This example carries the correct case reference 196.0200 and is double signed 396.0908.

Key Features

• Brand: Omega
• Model: Seamaster 120M “Alveoles”
• Year: Circa 1979
• Reference: 196.0200 / 396.0908
• Movement: Quartz, Omega Calibre 1342
• Case Design: Bi-metal with crown guard
• Bezel: Gilt with recessed dot markers
• Dial: Gilt with recessed center and raised lume hour dots
• Date: At 3 o’clock
• Bracelet: Integrated Omega bracelet with push clasp
• Case Back: Press-down with large Seamaster logo

Specifications

• Case Width: 36 mm (measured at crown cover)
• Case Height: 41 mm
• Case Thickness: 10 mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel with gilt elements
• Dial Color: Gilt
• Movement: Quartz Calibre 1342
• Bracelet: Integrated steel Omega bracelet
• Crystal: Acrylic
• Water Resistance: Originally rated to 120 meters, no longer guaranteed

Condition Report

• Dial: Excellent vintage condition with clean printing, strong gilt tone, and intact raised lume dots.
• Case: Bi-metal case shows light wear consistent with age. Bezel details remain sharp and well defined.
• Crystal: Acrylic crystal clear with minor hairlines visible under strong light.
• Movement: Quartz Calibre 1342 functioning correctly and keeping accurate time.
• Bracelet: Original integrated Omega bracelet in good vintage condition with working push-release clasp.

Historical Significance

The “Alveoles” Seamaster represents Omega’s late-1970s design language, when the brand blended professional dive styling with emerging quartz technology. These models were built as serious daily wearers, combining water resistance, legibility, and modern reliability. The raised lume marker version is particularly sought after due to its added dimensionality and lower production numbers. Today, these Seamasters appeal to collectors who appreciate transitional Omega designs that sit between classic tool watches and bold 1980s aesthetics.