It has taken me three long years of searching, but I have finally found an Omega Yachting 176.010 that I would call in perfect vintage condition.

The minute hands are still pearl white, while the lume inserts have not darkened or fallen out. The chrono hands are still bright orange. The dial is unmarked and retains a deep, inky blue colour. The sub-dials and sub-hands have also retained their original colours and are unmarked.

The case is completely unpolished and in remarkable shape, with only a few minor dings.

The bracelet is not original (as with all Yachtings that I have ever seen) but is NOS.

These are hardly common as it is, but very rare to find in this condition. This has basically not been worn since it was made in 1972.

Won’t ever be sold...But neither will it be worn. I have another one that I was planning to sell, but now I will keep both and wear the first one (which is in, say, 85% condition). I just don’t feel comfortable risking colour degradation (I live in tropical climate) and dings with something in this condition! Sigh...

Ps out of interest, in the last pic below where they are side by side, note the darker grey colours in sub-dials, and the orange seconds chrono hand is brighter.

 

Congratulations, finding any vintage watch in this kind of condition is always a challenge - let alone a rare toolwatch such as this one

 

What a beauty ! Thanks for sharing and congrats !

 

Enjoy the fruits of your labour, beautiful piece.

 

Love it! Never is a strong word so even though it’s probably futile I’ll call dibs anyway!

Congrats!

PS: life is short so I’d wear it! Either way enjoy it.

 

Backup dibs.

 

Ooh sharp! Congrats!

 

Hi @keepschanging

Congratulations on finding a watch in such great condition.

BTW nice pictures!

 

Gorgeous. Your “85%” example is awfully nice too.

 

Fantastic piece. Enjoy and wear in good health!!!!!!

 

lovely. Well done! I'd be happy with the 85% too!!

 

I’d say 85% is being a little conservative. It’s pretty darn nice.

 

Great buy ! Huge congrats and wear in good health !

 

This is pristine and your photos are lovely. Congratulations on a wonderful buy.

 

You went to so much trouble setting the time and chrono functions to match .... I have to wonder whether one is two seconds fast or the other is two seconds slow?

 

Thanks all!

Dibs well noted!

I did indeed start the chronos at the same time but funnily enough, the closeness of the seconds hands was coincidental!

Both watches have been serviced by Simon Freese, a few years apart and run solid as a rock (serviced out of precaution - both ran fine when I got them)

Bit hooked now - think I’ll keep watching the market and put an offer in for any other good condition examples that come up for sale!

 

I have one (a tad more faded than yours) that is away for service & repair (45-y-o devices do break from time to time). It came with the stock bracelet & clasp, but I added a shark mesh bracelet to it. I've worn a Chronostop (145.009, 865 movement) since I bought it new in 1972 (couldn't afford the Seamaster), timed starts and lighthouses with it for years, and it has survived thousands of saltwater miles since. I don't think the fancy one's gonna see the sea.

 

Cool, post some pics when you get it back

 

Beauty!

 

Super Nice