General Description:
Type I dials are recognizable for the applied metal hour markers that have 5-minute numerals printed directly on the markers. I refer to these as “flags”. Flag dials are most associated with the “Yachting” chronograph ref. 176.010, although the silver version (I2) is more often seen on other references possibly as a service dial, possibly even original. Dial I1 is often seen on ref. 176.007 ST as well. The gold-plated 176.010 MD is the second-least common of all cal. 1040 references but a dial probably designed for it, I3, is frequently seen on 176.007 ST. Dial I4 is really rare, I’ve only seen one example. These dials have applied metal logos. The dark blue, silver, and brown dial have closed date windows and flat subdials at 6:00 and the gold dial has an open date window and stepped subdial.
Dial I1: “Dark Blue Flag”
Color/finish: Dark Blue
Product Family: Seamaster
Subfamily: None
Most commonly seen in ref. 176.010ST
How common? Common
Dial I1, the dial most closely associated with the Yachting chronograph. Dark blue or purple “flag” dial. Photo courtesy of Instagram user elio5.
Other Dial Features
Text at 12:00: OMEGA AUTOMATIC Seamaster
Text at 3:00: None
Hour Markers: Applied with minute
Logo: Applied
Date Window: Closed
6:00 Subdial contrasting color/texture: Grey Flat
9:00 Subdial colors (top/bottom): Blue/Grey
Minute Numerals: On applied hours
Swiss Made Text: T – SWISS MADE – T
Notes
Most common of the Yachting dials, the dark blue “flag” dial.
Dial I2: “Silver Flag”
Color/finish: Silver
Product Family: Seamaster
Subfamily: None
Most commonly seen in ref. 176.005ST 176.007ST and 176.010ST
How common? Common
I2, here shown on ref. 176.010 where it might be most appropriate. However it is more frequently seen on 176.007 and 176.005, possibly as a service dial.
Other Dial Features
Text at 12:00: OMEGA AUTOMATIC Seamaster
Text at 3:00: None
Hour Markers: Applied with minute
Logo: Applied
Date Window: Closed
6:00 Subdial contrasting color/texture: Black Flat
9:00 Subdial colors (top/bottom): Blue/Grey
Minute Numerals: On applied hours
Swiss Made Text: T – SWISS MADE – T
Notes
The silver “flag” dial is seen often on reference 176.007 ST and 176.005 ST, perhaps as a service dial. Less common than I1 on the Yachting chronograph.
Dial I3: “Gold Flag”
Color/finish: Gold
Product Family: Seamaster
Subfamily: None
Most commonly seen in ref. 176.007 MD, 176.010 MD
How common? Common
Other Dial Features
Text at 12:00: OMEGA AUTOMATIC Seamaster
Text at 3:00: None
Hour Markers: Applied with minute
Logo: Applied
Date Window: Open
6:00 Subdial contrasting color/texture: Same color as dial, stepped
9:00 Subdial colors (top/bottom): Gold/Brown
Minute Numerals: On applied hours
Swiss Made Text: T – SWISS MADE – T
Notes
The gold “flag” dial seems best suited for ref. 176.010 MD, but is more often seen on 176.007 MD, though it is unclear if it was original to that reference or a later service dial. Note the 6:00 subdial is recessed and is not a contrasting color, and the date window is open.
Dial I4: “Brown Flag”
Color/finish: Brown
Product Family: Seamaster
Subfamily: None
Most commonly seen in ref. 176.010 MD
How common? Uncommon
Other Dial Features
Text at 12:00: OMEGA AUTOMATIC Seamaster
Text at 3:00: None
Hour Markers: Applied with minute
Logo: Applied
Date Window: Closed
6:00 Subdial contrasting color/texture: Gold Flat
9:00 Subdial colors (top/bottom): Gold/Brown
Minute Numerals: On applied hours
Swiss Made Text: T – SWISS MADE – T
Notes
The brown fume “flag” dial. The least common dial found on the least common reference.