We’re continuing our series on the unique Omega chronographs of the 1960s through the 1980s with the limited-run Flightmaster. This series started in 1969 and was produced until around 1974. The original Omega Flightmaster was the first Omega to feature the manual winding 910 movement, a very heavily modified version of the caliber 861 found in the Speedmaster. It was designed specifically for pilots, as opposed to the Speedy, which was designed as a racing timer and later adopted as an aviation watch.
Similar to its famous Speedmaster cousin, the Flightmaster has a direct connection to spaceflight as well. Cosmonaut, Alexei Leonov wore a caliber 911 Flightmaster during training for the 1975 joint American-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz mission. Although it took cues from the Speedmaster Mark series, it was a very unique looking piece. It had several features not commonly seen in 1969. It featured a 43mm case made from a single piece of steel, an independent GMT hand, 12-hour chronograph, and an AM/PM indicator. The seven hands, three subdials, three crowns, two pushers, and host of different colors make this a wonderfully off-beat watch.
Alexei Leonov with his Flightmaster Caliber 911 – Photo courtesy of NASA
It may seem that the functionality-packed Flightmaster would have an overly busy dial, but it’s actually quite the opposite; Omega put a lot of thought into their design. By and large, the entire layout is color-coded. The crown at 8:00, for example, has a black dot to match the black inner-rotating bezel. At 10:00, the crown is accented with blue to indicate its control of the independent 2nd timezone hand. Further, the pushers are either red, yellow or orange to match the particular example’s chronograph hands. Off-color subdials make for quick identification and even the bezel has alternating marks allowing you to easily read the chronograph down to 1/5 of a second. As we say in the Air Force, this thing is Army-proof.
Caliber 911 Flightmaster – Photo courtesy of Chronomaddox.com
The manual-wind caliber 911 was, to a great extent, similar, but had a small seconds hand at the 9:00 position in place of the c.910’s GMT subdial. Some speculate the running seconds on the 911 came about because you couldn’t immediately tell if the watch was actually running. Omega only used these calibers in the Flightmaster. The production numbers of the 910 and 911 are not well known, but let’s just call them rare. An even rarer solid gold version of the 910 was also produced (between 200 and 300 examples), and seeing one would be the horological equivalent of finding a chupacabra.
The Flightmaster is another unique chronograph from Omega that has a special place in our hearts here at Wound For Life. It had a short run, but like many uniquely awesome watches, it created a cult following, and its heritage can still be seen in the X-33 and Spacemaster Z-33 today. If you’re interested in a highly functional, distinctive, and cool vintage pilot’s watch, you can’t go wrong with the Flightmaster. As with most vintage Omegas, prices aren’t low, and you’ll find Flightmasters anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000. You know, I even think the Flightmaster owners club has a cooler secret handshake than the Speedmaster Mark owners — so there’s that. If any of you have a Flightmaster, please leave a photo in the comments, we’d love to see it.
Once again we have to thank Chuck at chronomaddox.com for his wealth of knowledge on all things Omega. Featured photo at the top courtesy of Monochrome Watches.
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Gary Howell
When my father passed away, I received quite a lot of stuff I would consider junk. Most of it I sold on craigslist and made a few hundred bucks. Amoung the junk was a wooden box full of watches. Most of them were Timex or discount store digitalis. I was going to throw them all in the garbage until I spotted one that seemed unusual to me. I decided I should look it up online just to make sure it’s not valuable. Omega Flightmaster. Wow was I surprised. I’m definitely not throwing it away and am considering sending it to Omega to have it refurbished.
Neil Wood
That’s quite the heirloom to have. I have seen some amazing restored Flightmasters from Omega however I’ve heard it can take the better part of a year to get your watch back. You could try and find authentic new old stock Omega parts and have an independent watchmaker install them as well if you have one accessible. A company like ABC Watchwerks may be an option as well. You can do a little investigating and find what option is best for you.
Alberto
Anyone know if a omega flightmaster replica does exist?
Shane Griffin
It’s possible that they exist, but “Franken” Flightmasters are more likely the case when it comes to something less than genuine. Pulling off a hand-wound chronograph with a 24-hr dial for a super obscure reference is probably not at the top of the counterfeiter list. Thanks for reading!
Lou Davila
Just read your great article about the Flightmaster. I sent my watch to Europa to have it reconditioned and received it back today. It is like brand new the way I remember it being back in 1972 when I was in Vietnam. What a treasure to have it back, whole!
Neil Wood
Thanks for reading Lou. That’s a great story about your Flightmaster and I’m sure you’re glad to have it back!
Steinar Haga
My wife gave me an Omega c. 911 when I went off to flight school in 1975. Now, after retirement I still have it and it still runs beautifully. Perhaps I should send it off to be restored. Anyone know where i can have it done? Perhaps somewhere in the US. I live in Europe but travel to America every year.
Does the watch have a value except for the sentimental part of it….?
Shane Griffin
Feel free to send us some pictures of your Flightmaster to info@woundforlife.com. We can discuss servicing options from there.
-Shane