FS: Vintage 1970s Omega ref. 176.005 Seamaster Chrono TV Case w/ Beautiful Blue Dial

[tomvox1]

Up for sale is this big and uncommon early 1970s Omega ref. 176.005 Seamaster “TV Case” chronograph with beautiful original metallic blue dial. This cool chrono, which is often incorrectly referred to as a “Jedi,” is powered by the famed Lemania-based automatic caliber 1040 that not only tells the time but also has complications for quickest date, constant seconds, 24-hour indicator and full chronograph functions for recording seconds, minutes via the characteristic orange-tipped “jet” center-mounted minute counter and 12-hour totalizer at “6.” This sexy beast also features a sunken dial that has aged to delightful purple-blue surrounded by a fixed Tachymeter scale protected by a mineral crystal, all in a large faceted rectangular case with wonderful sweeping lines that retains its original factory finish. The TV Case Seamaster chrono is one of the more striking and distinctive designs that Omega came up with in the 1970s following the successes of their tonneau-cased Mark II & Mark III Speedmasters. If you’re looking for retro funk and terrific functionality with a stunning blue dial, you’ve found your watch. And when you look at how the prices of vintage mechanical chronos have skyrocketed in the past few years, the Omega Seamaster TV Case model in steel is a premium piece that still represents excellent value for money.

This rare Seamaster chronograph is in overall Very Good to Excellent vintage condition and I last had it serviced late in 2015 so it is running strong, keeping good time and all its complex functions are working well. This great Omega Seamaster comes on its cool period correct 1171 bracelet with correct “175” straight end links.

The asking price for this uncommon Vintage Omega Seamaster chrono with beautiful original blue dial is $2,450 USD OBRO, which includes fully insured worldwide shipping. Bank Wire always preferred but Paypal is OK with split fees (+2% to the buyer). Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting.































CASE & BACK: Not for the faint of wrist, this big stainless steel rectangular tonneau case measures 42mm wide (not including crown) x 50mm long x about 15mm tall to the top of the crystal. The watch does not appear to have ever been polished and the edges are sharp. The sunburst graining on top of the case and contrasting matte & polished sides seem to be factory original to my eyes. As one would expect with an unpolished heavy watch with high wrist profile there are several nicks and marks from the years. Nothing egregious, though, just a bit if character and easily Very Good unpolished vintage condition. Original engraved outer caseback Hippocampus is present & crisp and the unpolished back has only some minor marks and scratches — externally, Excellent cosmetic condition. The inner caseback has some light corrosion to its edge but the original extra metallic gasket is still present (as is the rubber gasket seated in the case itself). All the original Omega nomenclature of the period, including this model’s correct reference number and the charming stylized narwhale hallmark of the case maker, Jean Vallon, are likewise present.

DIAL & HANDS: Beautiful original metallic blue dial featuring a sunburst finish, applied bar markers and logo and finely printed minute track, date window and engine-turned silver subdial at “6” for 12-hour recording. The dial shows just a bit of speckling, which is common on blue dials of this period, but has aged to a beautiful purple-blue depending on the light. All Tritium lume plots are present, though some have degraded and darkened slightly. Overall this stunning blue dial is in Excellent original condition. Correct black & white hour and minute hands are likewise Excellent with nicely matching Trit luminous fill and just a small chip to the white of the hour hand. The white sweep seconds chrono hand is Near Mint, as are the rest of the whopping total of 6 hands on this watch, including the telltale center mounted, orange-tipped “Jet” minute recorder. The original fixed inner Tachymeter scale was badly faded so I had it replaced with a new OEM one at service, so it is perfectly Mint and correctly positioned. (I will send along the original one if I can find it my parts drawer.) Simply a terrifically pleasing and classic original Omega Seamaster caliber 1040 chronograph layout in a dazzling blue!

CROWN & PUSHERS: Signed Omega winding crown is Excellent+ cosmetically, as are the pushers. The crown winds and pulls out to the quickest date and then the time-setting position, as it should. The top pusher stops and starts the chronograph and the bottom pusher resets all chrono registers precisely to zero as designed so long as you are firm with the bottom pusher, which is the nature of this family of Lemania calibers.

CRYSTAL: Large flat rectangular mineral crystal is Excellent+, clear and chip-free with only one minor scratch near the edge at “6” visible under a loupe.

MOVEMENT: Legendary Omega cal. 1040 automatic chronograph movement — same as that found in the Speedmaster Mark III — with 22-jewels and a 35 million serial number dating it to circa 1972. As stated above, this watch had a complete overhaul by my watchmaker in September, 2015. So not only is the movement looking very bright and clean but all its many chronograph and time-keeping functions operate properly, with crisp start/stop and reset of the chrono hands. This automatic-wind Seamaster is keeping very good time with a strong power reserve. Guaranteed to be operating properly at the time of shipment.

BRACELET: This great Seamster TV Case comes on its genuine period correct Omega 1171 bracelet with correct “175” flat end-links for the semi-hooded lugs. The bracelet is very tight with only minor scuffs to the clasp, Excellent+ condition, and is also very long with 3 removable links. At present it will fit up to about an 8” wrist at the last micro-adjust position in the clasp. This watch has a 20mm lug width.

As a matter of policy I make NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way, shape or form.

This great Vintage Omega Seamaster chrono is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer. This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
[email protected]

[tomvox1]

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