The Dive Watch Connection

Posted this recently on WatchUNeed, but here it is for those that may not have seen it:

After getting one of my "grail" watches last year, a 1972 Omega Flightmaster 911 pilot's watch, I recently found myself completely in love with Seiko's 6139-7100 "Darth Vader" helmet chronograph. Obsessed, I have to have one.
Picked one up, circa 1976 and decided to compare the sizes and cases of the two.

You can't compare the functionality, because the Flightmaster is loaded with complications, adjustable GMT, bezel, as well as full chrono functions with second hand subdial, 30 minute and 12 hour subdials.

The Seiko only has chrono with a 30 minute subdial (no second hand subdial), but it does have day/date.

Omega: 42mm x 52mm tall. Counting crystal and caseback, the 911 is 15mm thick
Seiko: 40mm x 48mm tall. Counting crystal and caseback, the 6139 is 13mm thick.

Weight. Hard for me to gauge because I have a heavy Omega mesh on my 911, but a much lighter hollow-link fishbone Z050S (had to have one of these -also used on the Bullhead) on my Seiko.
Arrived at these figures a couple ways - pretty accurate, I think.
Omega: 3.4 oz (with bracelet, total 5.6)
Seiko 2.5 oz (with bracelet, total 4.2)

Bottom line. I'm a big fan of 70s era watches- cushion cases in particular. This case style is probably my overall favorite. Bracelets appear integrated because the case partially covers the end pieces (especially with that "helmet" curve). Hope this gives a perspective you hadn't seen before.

Omega helmets are GREAT. That case is fantastic.

haha, i bought my seiko helmet because i always wanted the 911, funny how you did the reverse.

great pics and sweet pieces snak!

Those are friggin awesome!
Has the Omega been restored? It looks very nice They both do, especially concidering the age. I certainly can see why you love the design. Pretty massive watches for the era

nice Seiko... looks like an original bracelet too

Sweet post Snak attack!

ikkoku wrote:nice Seiko... looks like an original bracelet too

The Omega has a newer mesh bracelet, and new hands, but the rest is original. No polishing to the case, either. The Seiko seems to have an original bracelet. All the numbers and marks check out and it feels right. I say "an" original bracelet because it's almost like new. The case has been polished for a better presentation, but not much.

Lovely watches... and the Flightmaster has become a little bit of a 'grail' watch for me having been fortunate enough to collect two previous grails of mine over the last 18 months.

I'd love one which needs some TLC...

I have found myself recently becoming a bit of a watch hospital here... I'd love a resto project in need of some investigative repair work!


Both are nice watches though... love that old shape.

ezcheese wrote:Sweet post Snak attack!

+1 and that Flightmaster

Thanks Kurt.

Very cool watches...Love that Flightmaster...


Thanks for posting...

Mike

The 911 is my all time favorite Omega.