Omega released many Seamaster De Ville models over the course of its ten-year production run. The main difference between the versions is their calibers. However, you'll also find a wide range of dial designs. Most feature narrow bar indices, though some have numerals or, like the original Seamaster, triangular indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12. There are also editions with Arabic numerals instead of triangles.
Omega equipped early models, such as the ref. CK 14740 from 1959, with dials featuring "Seamaster" as the sole inscription. They didn't add "De Ville" to the dial until 1962. Then, in 1967, the word "Seamaster" disappeared, leaving "De Ville" as the only dial inscription.
The Vintage Chronograph Ref. 145.018
with subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The two-subdial edition bears the reference number 145.017.
The three-subdial chronograph has a minute counter at 3, an hour counter at 6, and a small seconds at 9 o'clock. The central chronograph seconds hand tracks elapsed seconds and fractions of a second. A tachymeter scale around the dial's edge enables the wearer to calculate speeds. Applied hour indices with luminous tips and an applied Omega logo sit atop the dial. Luminous material also fills the hour and minute hands.
The caliber 861 powers the ref. 145.018. Omega also outfitted the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with this movement starting in 1968.
While the 145.018's case is only 35 mm in diameter, it looks somewhat larger thanks to its slim polished bezel. All in all, the De Ville chronograph resembles pre-Daytona Rolexes, but with a much friendlier price tag. You can purchase a two-subdial ref. 145.017 for about 3,400 USD. For comparison, a similar vintage Rolex chronograph like the ref. 6238 costs upwards of 44,000 USD.
