RARE OMEGA FLIGHTMASTER GMT 145.013 CAL 910 (1ST GEN) - "TROPICAL CHOCOLATE DIAL" CADMIUM HANDS - 1172/155 BRACELET - 42.6MM - CHRONOGRAPH WATCH - 1969

Wow, this is a grail watch - if there ever was one!!

Specs (the boring stuff)

Maker: Omega
Model: Flightmaster
Reference: 145.013
Caliber: Manual wind caliber 910
Year: 1969
Movement No: 29138482
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 42.6cm x 52.25cm x 14.65 mm.
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium
Bracelet/Strap: Omega stainless steel no. 1159 bracelet with no. 155 end links
Lug Width: 22mm
Box/Papers: No

The cool stuff!

The Flightmaster was a chronometer designed specifically for pilots and intercontinental travelers. Omega's tagline was "a pilot’s watch that has rather more than a revolving bezel" - which was a direct dig at Rolex’s GMT Master.

This unique chronograph series, with the Cal 910, was the first Omega to feature a chronograph GMT, and was only produced for 2 years from 1969-1971.

The movement is a modified version of the caliber 861 found in the Omega Speedmasters. The watch features 2 pushers, 3 crowns, 3 sub-dials, 7 hands, internal bezel, GMT-function, and a size that just can’t be ignored!

Beautiful "tropicalized" dial, domed mineral glass and a 24-hour AM/PM indicator at the nine o’clock register. This exact example is a “Professional” version, which means the orange hands found on the "standard" version was at the time, upgraded to cadmium yellow hands at the Omega factory. This feature allowed for maximum visibility under the infrared lightning of a cockpit. The second generation Flightmaster (911) feature a continuous second-hand instead of the 24-hour hand.

The tropical dial is due to a flaw in the manufacturing process that often results in the occasional fading of the dial to a shade of brown or chocolate. This has long been highly sought after by collectors, often increasing the value substantially. 'Tropical Chocolate Dial'!

Most of the Concorde British Airways crew members used to wear Omega Flightmasters, and
the Russian Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov wore an Omega Flightmaster (ST145.036) during training for his command of the crew for the first joint Soviet-American space mission under the ASTP program (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project). Later he wore it again, during the second mission (17/7/75) when the Soyuz spacecraft docked with the US Apollo spacecraft – (the first docking ever between two spacecraft from two different countries).

There were three versions (and consequently model reference numbers) of the Flightmaster: the one pictured here (145.013) which was produced with a caliber 910 movement, a domed glass, and a day/night indicator at the 9:00 sub-register. The later iterations of the Flightmaster bore references 145.026 and 145.036 and housed the 911 movement.

Featuring no fewer than 5 crowns/pushers and 7 hands all brightly coloured, the dial on this watch is timeless on the eyes. Despite its substantial size and robust appearance, the Flightmaster Chronograph is extremely comfortable to wear, due to the ergonomics of the case, a style that Omega refers to as the ‘pilot line.’ Cut from a single block of Swedish stainless steel, the upper case was pressed and tempered sixteen times before assuming its unique elliptical shape, designed to fit the contours of the wrist like a second skin. This watch features a slightly more compressed case fit than the later two variations, meaning it sits slightly closer to the wrist.

The Flightmaster also has a 12-hour GMT complication, with the hand moving independently and set through the auxiliary crown, located at 10 o’clock on the case. The case back features an engraved DC-8 super 61 Jet aeroplane along with the word ‘Flightmaster’ and the instantly recognisable Omega symbol.
This is a rare, wonderfully weird, electic, and complex chronograph that is extremely practical for pilots and navigation officers, - or just cool dudes who dig hyper-intricate wabi swag!

Condition report: running and all functions currently working - but since service history is unknown, a service is strongly recommended. As always with vintage watches, NO GUARANTEES on functionality is given. The usual scratches, dings etc., consistent with a watch that is 55 years old. Paint missing on some of the pushers which is very usual for this particular model (replacements can be bought cheaply, but I prefer to leave the watch as it is). The the engraving of the DC-8 plane on the back is faded, but that's also very usual on this model as it wears down quite easily. Wear to the lume on the dial and hands. Some tool scratches on the caseback.

Please bear in mind that shipping is an estimate! This is due to the high value of the item. International shipping can be arranged but shipping might be more expensive so please do not make any payment until we've discussed courier options. There are several countries I will not send to so please ask before making offers or purchasing.