Omega De Ville Chronograph Ref. 146.017 – Calibre 930

£3,950.00

  • Year: 1970.

  • Movement: Manual wind Calibre 930 with date at 9.

  • Case: 35mm steel case.

  • Dial: Silver dial with Tachymetre scale, chronograph minuets at 3, running seconds at 9 with date.

  • Crystal: Acrylic crystal.

  • Strap: Flat link Omega 1425 bracelet.

  • Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard.

  • This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality, and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we don’t believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.

    If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description. All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

  • Year: 1970.

  • Movement: Manual wind Calibre 930 with date at 9.

  • Case: 35mm steel case.

  • Dial: Silver dial with Tachymetre scale, chronograph minuets at 3, running seconds at 9 with date.

  • Crystal: Acrylic crystal.

  • Strap: Flat link Omega 1425 bracelet.

  • Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard.

  • This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality, and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we don’t believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.

    If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description. All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

The Omega De Ville Chronograph Ref. 146.017 is one of the most distinctive and underappreciated chronographs in Omega’s vintage catalogue. Produced for a very short period between 1969 and 1970, this reference was part of Omega’s move to give the De Ville line sportier capabilities without sacrificing its dress-watch elegance.

At the heart of the watch is the manual-wind Calibre 930 — a Lemania-based cam-switched chronograph movement. It is notable for its unusual date-at-9 placement, a feature shared by very few chronographs of the era, giving the dial a balanced yet unconventional layout. The Cal. 930 is known for its reliability, serviceability, and smooth operation, making it a favourite among vintage Omega enthusiasts.

This example features a clean silver dial with a tachymetre scale, chronograph minutes at 3 o’clock, and running seconds/date at 9 o’clock. The original Omega flat-link 1425 bracelet adds period-correct charm, making it a complete and authentic vintage package.

Movement History
The Omega Calibre 930 was introduced in the late 1960s as part of the brand’s expansion of its chronograph range. Based on the Lemania 3872, it replaced the column-wheel architecture of earlier calibres with a cam-and-lever switching system, making it easier to service. What sets the 930 apart is its unusual combination of chronograph and date-at-9 — a complication placement that was rare at the time and remains visually distinctive today. The Cal. 930 was only produced in limited quantities before being phased out, adding to its collectability.

Key Features

  • Year: 1970

  • Reference: 146.017

  • Movement: Manual-wind Omega Calibre 930 — Lemania-based cam-switched chronograph, date at 9 o’clock

  • Case: 35mm stainless steel

  • Dial: Silver with tachymetre scale, chronograph minutes at 3, running seconds/date at 9

  • Crystal: Acrylic

  • Bracelet: Original flat-link Omega 1425 bracelet

  • Warranty: 12-month Watts On Watches guarantee

A Word on Condition
This watch is in excellent vintage condition. The silver dial presents beautifully, with no major flaws. The stainless steel case retains sharp lines and original proportions, showing only light signs of wear consistent with careful use. The original Omega 1425 bracelet is in very good condition with minimal stretch.

Why Buy This Watch

  • Short Production Run: The 146.017 was only made for a brief period, making it far rarer than contemporary Speedmasters or Seamasters.

  • Historic Movement: The Cal. 930 is part of Omega’s respected Lemania-powered chronograph family, offering mechanical pedigree and the distinctive date-at-9 complication.

  • Collector Appeal: The De Ville Chronograph is a left-field choice — less common on the market and more distinctive in design than most vintage Omegas.

  • Complete and Authentic: With its original flat-link bracelet, this example offers period-correct completeness rarely found today.

For collectors, this is an opportunity to acquire a seldom-seen piece of Omega history that blends sporty chronograph capability with the refined aesthetic of the De Ville line — a combination unlikely to be repeated in the same way.