Omega Seamaster Chronograph | 144.005 | steel

This steel Omega Seamaster Chronograph (ref. 144.005) is a classic vintage watch in its styling; simple and elegant. Add to this the famed Lemania 321 movement that is ticking inside, it is one of all times' must-have pieces. And the cherry on the top? The correct Omega 1036 beads of rice bracelet, box and papers.

With a round, stainless steel case, round pump pushers and long bevelled lugs, it retains a 60s feel. Sized at 35.5mm and 12.7mm thick, the watch is discreet and elegant, working appropriately as a dress watch, as well as for casual wear. This Seamaster has its original, signed and fluted crown. It measures 35.5 mm in diameter and it is 12.7 mm thick. The screw-down case back features 'WATERPROOF' and 'SEAMASTER' engravings on the outside, while the decorated inside reveals the serial number, as well as the Omega hallmark.

The silver dial has a tachymeter scale, painted minute markers and applied, silver index markers for the hours. It has an applied, silver Omega logo, while 'OMEGA' and 'Seamaster' are referenced on the dial at twelve o'clock. 'SWISS MADE" is also painted just under six o'clock, while the letter 'T' to the left and right of it indicate that the luminous, silver batons feature tritium. The sub-registers at three, six and nine o'clock are the thirty-minute, the twelve-hour and the sub-seconds dials, respectively.
 

The watch carries the manual-winding, Calibre 321 at its heart, beating at a rate of 18,000 A/h, with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. This is perhaps the manufacture’s most famous movement, with the same column wheel movement being found on the early Speedmasters, that were worn on the moon. This legendary movement was born in 1942, as a result of a co-operation between Lemania (2310) and Omega (321). At the time, it was the smallest chronograph movement (27 mm in diameter) used by Omega, designed specifically for wristwatches.

This classic Cal. 321 Lemania has two main distinctive features; the rather costly column wheel design and the iconic, signed, 'wishbone'-shaped bridge. Arguably, this Lemania movement is one of the greatest watch movement designs; a claim supported by its wide-spread use as a base calibre by Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet and Omega, even up to recently.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.