Stainless steel Omega 1st Generation Flightmaster chronograph wristwatch, 1969 — view 1 of 4 — View 1 of 4 · Image: Somlo Antiques · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Stainless steel Omega 1st Generation Flightmaster chronograph wristwatch, 1969

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: OMEGA (maker)
Date: 1969
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: Unrecorded in source
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: stainless steel
Dimensions: Case 43 mm
Dealer: Somlo Antiques (dealer), London
Stock no.: O.3295
Credit line: Dealer listing, Somlo Antiques (O.3295)
Catalogue title (original): Stainless steel OMEGA 1st Generation Flightmaster chronograph wristwatch. Made 1969 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (stock number O.3295), this is a wristwatch by OMEGA, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 43 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Somlo Antiques

Launched in 1969, the OMEGA Flightmaster was designed with the needs of long-haul pilots in mind. The 1st Generation Flightmaster was fitted with a calibre 910 movement, which was based on the 321 and 861 Speedmaster calibre. The 1st Generation Flightmaster, reference ST 145.013 was produced in two different variations. The first, with orange hands to denote a trainee pilot and or member of the public. The second variant was fitted with yellow cadmium coated hands for professional pilots. The dials on these watches were prone to change colour, which created a multitude of interesting dial variations in hues of green and brown. The 1st Generation was in production until 1971 with 30,000 calibre 910 movements being produced. Brand: OMEGA Made: 1969 Model: Flightmaster Reference: 145.013 Calibre: 910 Movement: Manual Material: Stainless steel Features/complications: Chronograph and 24 hour indicator and power indicator. Dial: Black matt dial with luminous painted baton indexes, sub dials and luminous hour markers Case dimensions: 43mm Bracelet/strap: Stainless steel bracelet Accessories: - SKU: 03295

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryNot in source
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Somlo Antiques — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Stainless steel Omega 1st Generation Flightmaster chronograph wristwatch, 1969." Somlo Antiques (dealer), London, O.3295. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/stainless-steel-omega-1st-generation-flightmaster-chronograph-wristwat-f2b02b.