Omega Pre bond 3961042 box and papers

Omega Seamaster "Pre-Bond" Quartz – Ref. 396.1042 | 37mm Stainless Steel | Full Set with Grey Box

Before the Bond franchise turned the Seamaster into a screen icon, Omega was already laying the groundwork for its modern professional line. This is that groundwork.

Offered here is the Omega Seamaster ref. 396.1042, known to collectors as the "Pre-Bond" — a nickname that does a disservice to just how complete, well-executed, and forward-looking this watch really is. Released in the mid-to-late 1980s, it’s the model that connected Omega’s diver legacy with its future. Clean, slim, reliable, and serious.

This is the 37mm stainless steel quartz version, powered by Omega’s in-house Caliber 1438 — hacking seconds, quickset date, low battery warning. A legitimate, fully serviceable Swiss quartz movement, not a throwaway. It was cutting-edge at the time, and it still performs today.

The case is everything a tool watch should be: tight lines, no nonsense. The unidirectional bezel remains sharp, crown screws down solid, and the original mineral crystal is intact. The dial is pure 1980s: clean black, luminous hands and indices, no frills. The bracelet is the original integrated stainless steel design, still tight, still comfortable, still very much part of the overall aesthetic. It’s sized for a ~7” wrist, with room to size up if you source extra links.

Specs:

• Reference: 396.1042

• Movement: Omega Caliber 1438 (quartz, hacking, quickset date)

• Case: 37mm stainless steel, screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel

• Dial: Matte black with luminous markers and date at 3

• Crystal: Original mineral, clean

• Bracelet: Original stainless steel, integrated, signed clasp

• Box: Original grey Omega box – correct for the era, worn but complete

• Papers: Original warranty booklet, stamped and dated

Condition Notes:

• Watch: Excellent original condition. Sharp case, bezel clicks cleanly, caseback crisp.

• Dial & Hands: Clean and original, no damage or discoloration.

• Movement: Runs well. All functions working as expected.

• Crystal: Light signs of wear under certain light, no major marks.

• Box: Original grey Omega clamshell box – worn exterior and interior foam deteriorating, but intact.

• Papers: Original warranty card included, stamped and dated.

Why This Watch?

Collectors are finally waking up to the "Pre-Bond" Seamaster, and for good reason: it marks a turning point in Omega’s modern identity. This wasn’t a reissue or a throwback — it was Omega building forward from the ground up. The 37mm version hits the sweet spot in terms of wrist presence and wearability, and the full stainless steel configuration avoids the two-tone aesthetic that dominated much of the era.

This example stands out not just because of its clean, original condition, but because it’s a complete set: original grey Omega box, original papers, and no swapped parts or shortcuts.

It’s not the watch you buy to impress strangers — it’s the watch you buy because you know exactly what it is, and what it isn’t.