Omega Seamaster 145.008 Chronostop Regatta
Erik Gustafson / 03 October 21
Overlooked Omega is not only an alliteration, it is a strikingly diverse and intriguing landscape. I am guilty of not yet having a deep knowledge of Omega’s observatory chronometers, the Ploprof story, or just where Armstrong’s 321 rests. Despite these sins, I am still a massive fanboy for all things vintage Omega. One of the more value proposition-appropriate offerings I am aware of hit my radar recently, buried as part of a very large collection’s liquidation. If only one searches long and hard enough, value buys still exist.
The Chronostop was released in 1966 as a range-topping model. It kept a then-high 21600 vph, incorporated shock-resistance, and won top prize at the Federation Horologer competition. It was powered by the calibre 865, very similar to what was also then powering Speedmasters in era. It may not have gone on to spur the same cult following as the Speedmaster has, but the Chronostop is a beautiful chronograph with as much nuance and value as a modern collector may hope for.
This Regatta variant added a yacht timer scale to its bezel and was the only dial variation which was completely matte. Also called the ‘countdown’, its blue and red rotating bezel was designed around a 15-minute scale regatta countdown. The bezel is actually kind of a rare variant from what I’ve understood. The watch is cased in a massive 41mm chunk of steel with a chrono-pusher, crown, and bezel control. It’s just a fun and quite cool Omega that doesn’t get talked about or referenced but has all the appeal upon closer inspection.
The dial and handset here appear original and unrestored. The tritium is matched across both. Its case is unpolished with radial brushing visible but worn. Its crowns are original as is the pusher. Service history is unknown but the watch is running well and keeping good time. The bezel rotation works. It comes from a private collector on Reddit.
Find this Chronostop Regatta here on r/watchexchange for 1800 EUR. (as part of a sale with many, many other pieces)
