This iconic Omega Chronograph, reference 145.018, is the one with the less common Seamaster signed dial in a stainless steel case. The majority you see have the “DeVille” signed dial. This gorgeous looking vintage Omega Seamaster has the famous hand-wound Calibre 861 (Lemania) movement as found in the Omega Speedmaster Moon Watches.

The watch comes in a polished stainless steel case, which still retains all of its sharp edges and shows some light signs of use, but no major marks and no dings. We have not polished the case as we prefer to leave them but our watchmaker upon request can polish it after purchase! The case has a screw in back and has no Hippocampus engraving on the back, as most of this model did not, but it does have a rather discrete presentation name engraved on the back. We think this could be polished out but will only do this if you wish it?

It comes with an oversized Omega signed crown as a lot of these watches did. The inside of the back is signed with the model reference 145.018.

The case and crown are in an overall excellent condition as we have previously said.

This model was available with 4 different dials and this one has the Omega Seamaster signed dial with a ‘Tachymetre’ outer scale. The seconds sub dial is at the 9 o’clock position with the hour and minute chronometer sub dials at 3 and 6 o’clock and a centre seconds hand. The dial has applied hour baton markers with luminous dots at the tips, which are all a nice even colour and all still intact. All the hands are steel stick type with the hour and minute hands having luminous inlays.

The original dial has started to turn a beautiful tobacco colour, adding even further elegance to the look of this piece. The hour batons and hands also show some slight signs of patina visible through a loupe.

This watch has the calibre 861 mechanical hand wind movement with 17 jewels. The movement is numbered 2732**** which dates the watch to 1968.

The movement is running strong and keeping great time, as you would expect, given that we have recently had it fully serviced at which point the minute wheel and minute wheel pivot were replaced.

The watch comes on a stainless steel oyster style bracelet with 455B end pieces. The bracelet is in excellent condition with no dings or major blemishes and is devoid of any branding. The watch will also come on the leather band with pin buckle as in the photos.

This is a lovely example of the Omega Seamaster Chronograph 145.018, which we consider to be in excellent condition. The even patina to the dial we think enhances the presence of this piece and is only to be expected for a watch that dates to the late 1960’s. The watch will make an excellent everyday timepiece or would be a fantastic addition to any collection.

• Model ref: 145.018
• Year: 1968
• Warranty length: 12 Months
• Box and papers: No
• Movement type, calibre and jewels: Hand Wound, Cal.861, 17J
• Case: Stainless Steel
• Dial: Original Dial, Patinated to a Beautiful Tobacco Colour
• Crystal: Plexiglas
• Bracelet: Leather Strap
• Width (w/o crown): 35mm
• Height, lug to lug: 40mm
• Lug width: 18mm
• Wrist size: Adjustable