Omega. A Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Soccer Timer

Model: Seamaster

Reference: 145-020 ST

Case No: 47xxxxxx

Circa: 1970

Cal. 861 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, white dial, black baton numerals with luminous accents, orange luminous hands and orange chronograph hand, three subsidiary dials for 12 hour and 30-45 minute registers in black and red and constant seconds register in white, outer black tachometer scale, stainless steel polished and brushed tonneau-shaped case, two round chronograph buttons in the band, screw back engraved with Seamster logo, case, dial, and movement signed

39mm

Accompanied by an Omega Certificate and Omegamania Warranty.

More about Omega:

In 1948 Omega launched the Seamaster model to celebrate their 100th anniversary of the founding of the company. The first Seamasters were produced as either a chronometer with subsidiary seconds or a non-chronometer with center seconds, and both were water-resistant to 60 meters. In 1955, the Seamaster 300 model was launched and was depth rated to 200m, with a luminous dial and rotating bezel for diving. The model would undergo further design and mechanical changes, and increasing depth rating. In 1970, the Seamaster would be cased in a large monobloc case, known as the “PloProf” for Plongeur Professional for high water resistance and construction.

With Omega being the official timekeeper of the Olympics, many of their models appealed to athletes.  In the 1970’s Omega designed several watches in the Seamaster line for specific sporting events, including Yachting and Soccer. Omega still produces Regatta watches, the most recent model being launched in 2013. Watches for use in soccer however were only produced for a short time in the 1970’s, making them more collectible and sought-after. Omega produced several versions of the soccer time (including a rare variant with a roulette wheel inner rotating bezel) and all with the distinct use of bright colors for hands and subsidiary dials.  The present dial features a white dial, bright orange hands and red and black subsidiary dials. The soccer watches have the unusual feature of 45-minute indication below the standard 30-minute register, to allow for timing of 45-minute blocks. This was designed specifically for use by soccer referees and managers, to time soccer matches (which are divided into two periods of 45 minutes).

The present watch was sold in the Omegamania Sale of 2007 (a themed auction held by Antiquorum Auction House in Geneva) for 5900 CHF, and has remained in a private collection since then. In addition to the unusual and colorful dial details, the case of the present watch is in mint NOS condition, with a brushed and polished finish and extremely sharp facets.