“He’s No Jedi!” Debunking the Omega Seamaster 176.005

If you’ve read this blog for long, you know that I love to scour auction listings for under-described watches that are way more special than they appear. But folks like me also often note pieces that are incorrectly described, and one great example just caught my eye: The Omega Seamaster 176.005 Chronograph is often described as the “Jedi”, an incorrect name for this model and an unofficial one regardless. Let’s take a look.

Omega’s Star Wars Chronographs

No fine watch company has ever produced Star Wars tie-in watches (alas!) but Omega comes closest thanks to one dedicated fan. Chuck Maddox, of the legendary ChronoMaddox site, gave a few rare Omega chronographs nicknames with a Star Wars theme, and these names have stuck among fans. Although all were rare models, this fan naming tie-in has given each a bump in value.

The naming started with an obvious model, the black shield-cased Omega 145.023. One look at this watch and you can see why Chuck nicknamed it the “Darth Vader”! I couldn’t find one for sale, but there are great photos at ChronoMaddox and via our friends over at Wound for Life.

The same reference, 145.023, was also produced with a “light side” silver case, and this was pronounced by Chuck to be the Anakin Skywalker. The linked example is listed right now at Chrono24 for € 3,550 out of Greece with box and papers. It looks like a good example to a non-expert like me and illustrates the value of these models.

Omega Seamaster 145.005 vs. 145.024

This brings us to the “Jedi”. Chuck picked the 145.024, a quite rare model, as his “Jedi” Omega chronograph. Produced in late 1971 and reissued in 1973 for the inaugural World Football Day in Barcelona, the true Jedi features a rounded shield case and white or black dial. If you’re into shield cases and 1970’s chronographs, they’re pretty cool!

 

The above example is a genuine-looking Omega “Jedi” Seamaster Chronograph, ref. 145.024, with the more-common black dial and not the football edition. The seller claims it’s in mint condition and comes with the box, which is great. And it’s listed at € 2180, which is a fair price for this model. There are a few other examples of this reference at Chrono24 as well, and they seem easier to find than the Vader or Anakin.

Unfortunately, over time the much more common Omega Seamaster Chronograph, Ref. 145.005, has been called a Jedi too. There are always many of these listed on eBay and even Chrono24! I guess there’s nothing to be done, since it’s not an official name. Buy buyer beware: The 145.005 is much more common and typically commands much less money than a true Jedi!

The piece shown at the top of this article goes under the gavel at Auctionata on April 8. Although Auctionata’s guesses about manufacturing dates are frequently amusing (a 1975 Sinn? a 1989 Mühle?), they’re mostly harmless. But occasionally they’re more troubling, as in the case of this “Jedi”. It’s likely worth € 750 or somewhat more, but it definitely shouldn’t get Jedi money!

Year: 1970's
Brand: Omega
Style: Chronograph, Tool watch
Case: Stainless Steel
Country: Switzerland
Source: Auctionata, Chrono24, eBay
Tags: Auctionata, Chrono24, ChronoMaddox, Chronograph, Chuck Maddox, Jedi, Omega, Omega Seamaster, Omega Seamaster Chronograph, Skywalker, Vader, Wound for Life, debunk, eBay, nickname