Omega

Greeting to you reader!

Here is a review of my Omega Seamaster Chronostop ref 145.007.



Small step backwards ...
The range Chronostop dates from the end of the sixties. It represents sport watches with a capacity to time short time by a stopwatch "mono-poussoir".

There were two ranges, Seamasters (in aquatic vocation as mine, 120 metres) and Geneves (in earth vocation).

here are two types of calibres in Chronostops, 865 and 920.
I am not a wholesale trade techos, but my stopwatch is motorized by 865, which is other than celebrates it 861 "amputated", I like this qualifier not too much, therefore say "simplified".

The 865:


Fast-forward, and return in today...

I bought, 3 months ago this watch:



As you can see, it was very tired, no shine sun, not a good chrono hand but at the opening, the 865 was very nice.

I contact my friendly watchmaker to make a point. Not believing too much in the availability of parts, we attract by his intermediary to order at the Headquarters.

In 3 weeks, parts are here!



To arrive at this result, movement was reviewed, brush all the case but no surplus, don't want it loses its history!

The big problem of the restoration of the case was the sun polish of the face. It need a very particular machine which does not have my watchmaker. But luckily and thanks to a relation, it found its aspect of origin.



The watch:



It sharpens 42mm, what brings a nice presence to the wrist. The case is typical of years 70 (although it is dated of 1966, it seems to me), forms barrel, polished sun on the face before, engrossments stop bright shine and satiny edges. Big plexi, miam miam...

"Poussoir" at two o'clock and a crown not screwed on at 4 am. This type of stopwatch uses in a very simple way since it is enough to trigger this one off by the "poussoir" at two o'clock and at the time of reading, to press this one without unloosing to perform reading on the tachy ladder. When they drop the t"poussoir", the hand returns to zero.

The caseback is typical of Omega of this epoch, as Seamaster 300 and it's the original, with the horse and the indication of waterproof quality announced in 120m.





To finish the watch, he needed a strap nice and after debate with my clockmaker, we decided to put back the orange key of the needle of the stopwatch on the bracelet. I saw it definitely racing type, why of the opening in the black calf and to finish it, a nice buckle.





You pointed out both passers-by, black and one orange... The big class!

And the WS:



Conclusion:
This stopwatch is really nice comparatively imposing coach for a vintage watch. Not expensive and exotic but most are in bad condition!

Best

Caius

. . . is a rewarding experience that I've been thru myself a few times, Caius. My compliments on your strap selection, which perfectly matches the watch . . . most tasteful. Cordially, Art

... it was a long reflexion for the strap! But my clockmaker is fantastic because all decisions that we took together give a very nice result.

Hi Caius

First great post and photos !!!  The Chronostops was a very popular model for Omega  and the most important part was they were USED !!   Your comment "....but most are in bad condition!" is in line which what I have observed over the years.   I have seen them used "HARD and put to bed wet !!" a true tool watch. 

The 865 as you stated is based on the 861.  You have a great movement in a rugged steel Omega case.. a great combo!

Havev a great weekend

BIll Sohne

Great week-end!

Yes, lots of Chronostops are in bad condition. This one seems to have had a difficult life!
I decided to give him a youth without denaturing it too much.

Just a toutch of "Psiqué" with strap ;-)

Best

Caius

Informative, nice text , cool pics and a lovely Vintage Omega SM!

It now looks like a NOS!

Congrats, too, for the strap!

It complements very well the watch, by its stlye and this small touch of Orange.

Best, Caius!

Nicolas

nt

Thks for sharing

I am happy to hear that the slightly battered condition of my Chronostop appears to be the norm, rather than the exception. It's a great treat to wear it inside the wrist and glance at it sideways - can anyone tell me where the sideways configuration came from? Congratulations on your watch's revival! Mike

This sideway configuration it's for simplify reading when you drive a car.

Beautiful watch, exotic one in top condition.

Here it is.
Wow the movement is very nice - I hadn't remembered getting this picture from my watchmaker.




I can see now the differences with yours being the "sea diving" model and mine being the "land driving" version.
And this has the 920 movement, from the markings under the balance.
Because the number is higher, does it mean it's a later version, or is it an entirely different base caliber?

Thanks for the info and for reminding me about this watch.

Cheers

Mike

 

This message has been edited by cazalea on 2008-10-14 09:13:15

Yes, I think the caliber 920 came after the 865 but I'm not sure!

otherwise basically the same movement
brgds--JP

designed for wearing on the underside of the wrist as i'm sure you are aware. my Dad would love it as that how he wears all his watches.

i'd leave it exactly as it is as it looks good to me.

best

Graham

although the chrono function is very simple it is still a great watch. no one here has mentioned it, but it was released for the 1968 Mexico Olympics so should have a place in history along with all the other olympic watches.

i love the strap as well.

best

Graham

Dear Caius

 

Congratulations on your catch, and a great watch has come out of your effort on changing it back to NOS condition. Great work. I also really like the strap.

You have been more "lucky" than me on the service and getting parts. I have a Seamaster that took me almost 2 years before my AD had all the parts and could repair the calibre (almost 50% of the parts where changed)

Best and keep up the interesting posts!

Hans

Your watch looks absolutely fantastic after been polished and cleaned. I have just bought the same watch and would like to do the same thing to mine... please can you advise where you had the work done and how much it cost

 

Many tks

Hi,

They're really unusual watches - here's mine

I think the red in the strap matches the second hand well

 

Hello,

First of all, congratulations for the nice work of the watch!

I have the same equal watch. It was from my father.
I restaured mine, but i cant find a bracelet from the time. Can you help me?

Where can i bougth one? How much is it?

Best Regards,
Joao Lino.
[Email address suppressed for privacy]
00351919550663

Hi Caius,

I just bought an Omega 145.007 like yours. It is in a bad condition so I like to fresh it up a little bit.
From ofrei I ordered dial, pusher and crown.
What I like to ask you is where do you got this great strap from?
Can you tell me name of the maker or send me a link to his website?

Many thanks and best regards,
Thomas

You mind messaging me who the maker of the strap is? Many thanks