Omega De Ville 145.017 is Omega’s late 60s / early 70s chronograph. The watch was manufactured with a few different movements, 145.018 with 861, 145.017 with 860 and 146.017 with the cal 930 (with date at 9’o’clock). Production numbers of the watches weren’t very high and only Omega knows how many were produced. Various guesses among collectors place them somewhere among less than 50k created in total.
The Omega De Ville Chronograph 145.017 is a standard two-register chronograph. The dial of the watch is symmetric with only few words of text. The big crown makes the watch easy to wind and operate. Due to the chronograph buttons and the large crown, the watch wears much bigger than it actually is. The watch size is balanced, with 35mm case width, 40mm lug to lug and 12mm thickness.
Basic Information
| Manufacturer | Omega |
| Reference | 145.017 |
| Movement | 860 |
| Diameter | 34mm |
| Thickness | 12mm |
| Lug to lug | 40mm |
| Lug width | 19mm |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | None |
Bracelets & Straps
The 145.017 has lug width of 19mm, and it works beautifully with leather strap. A popular combo for the watch is a 19mm leather strap with a 14-16mm period correct Omega Tang Buckle. For those who are not comfortable with getting a vintage buckle due to fakes, a good option is the 18mm buckle with part number STZ010566 from Omega Seamaster 1948 and the 16mm deployant 94521633. This comes down to personal preference: the 18mm buckle is not a perfect fit due to lack of taper. My personal favourite is the 16mm deployant buckle.
In addition, the 145.017 takes most of the major bracelets of 60s and 70s. Most often it is photographed with 1069/524, but 1098/540 and 1125/560 are also often seen. I have the privilege to own all of these and each have their merits, but 1069/524 is easily the best and 1098/540 the close second. However, I prefer the 145.017 on a leather strap, but for those who suffer from bracelet obsession, it is good to have that bracelets are available.
Conclusion
Omega De Ville 145.017 and its variants are a great example of timeless design that will continue draw attention of enthusiasts for decades to come. The symmetry of the dial combined with near perfect proportions make it an easy watch to wear on every occasion. By modern standards, Omega De Ville chronograph is “small”, but due to large dial and chronograph buttons, it wears surprisingly large. The watch wears well on a leather band but the different steel bracelets put the watch into league of its own.
Ghost of Gerald Genta 