Omega Flightmaster Ref. 145.026

Pre-owned Vintage Omega 43mm Flightmaster, Black Dial, Stainless Steel Bracelet, Ref.

Introduced in 1969 as a watch designed for pilots, this 43mm Flightmaster was given a case shaped like jet engine. The features were tailored for the pilot, such as adding an additional blue 12-hour hand that can be adjusted independently to show another time zone (although the hand does not move with the time.) The chronograph hands were colored orange to draw attention when activated. For a watch with three crowns and two pushers, it is easy to operate. The crown at 10 o’clock is colored blue and controls the auxiliary 12-hour hand. The crown at 8 o’clock is colored black (worn away on this watch) and rotates the internal bezel.  Lastly, the chronograph pushers are color coded half-red and yellow, to match either set of available hands (yellow chronograph hands were an option available when new.) If the name Flightmaster left any doubt, the Douglas DC-8 on the caseback leaves not doubt that this is a pilot’s watch.

Flightmaster’s were manufactured between 1969 and 1977, with the first version called the 910 after the caliber that powered the watch.  This watch is the second generation with the caliber 911, which is a modified 861 movement. A running seconds sub-register at 9 o’clock replaced the previous versions day/night indicator, primarily to ensure the pilot that the watch was running.  The case is slightly taller to fit a flat, mineral crystal that increased the water resistance. The 911 was made in two different references, 145.026 and 145.036.  The 145.026 featured a sunburst, brushed finish on the case, similar to the first generation.  The 145.036 featured a case finish of concentric circles, which is the primary difference between the two.  The sunburst and brushing on the case and caseback are visible on this watch, along with surface scratches expected in a pre-owned vintage watch.  The edges remain sharp.  The dial is marked for tritium and the lume is intact on the hourly markers and hands, fading quickly as expected for an aged dial.  Although the mineral crystal shows scratches, the dial under the crystal is free of marks.  The edges of the sub-registers show some tropical patina from the effect of aging.  Rather than detracting from the dial, many collectors feel this adds to the appeal.  As mentioned previously, the black paint on the 8 o’clock crown has worn away but the paint on the other crown and pushers is intact.  Overall, this Flightmaster is an attractive watch that will continue to please pilots and watch fans for years to come.