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The original Omega Seamaster “Jedi” is reference 145.024, also written 145.0024: an early-1970s, hand-wound chronograph with calibre 861 and three dial registers. Reference 176.0005 is a different, automatic Seamaster chronograph that is sometimes given the same nickname.
How the “Jedi” name became attached to the watch
“Jedi” was a later collector nickname, not the model name Omega originally used. Fellows Auctioneers described the watch in 2023 as a Seamaster reference 145.024 that “began its life simply as the Omega Seamaster.” The nickname is commonly attributed to collector Chuck Maddox, who also used Star Wars-inspired names for related chronographs: 145.0023 variants became “Darth Vader” and “Anakin Skywalker,” while 145.0024 became “Jedi.”
Confusion spread after Antiquorum’s 2007 OmegaMania auction. As reported by Fratello Watches, lot 139 was reference 145.0024, catalogued as a stainless-steel, water-resistant chronograph with round pushers. Lot 152 was reference 176.0005, described as a “so-called Jedi.” That usage helped broaden the nickname beyond the reference collectors now commonly mean by the original Jedi.
How to distinguish the two references
The movement and dial layout are the clearest differences. The following comparison reflects descriptions by Fratello Watches, Fellows Auctioneers and the OmeGANG reference entry.
#1 Best Overall
- Model 212.30.44.52.01.001
| Feature | 145.024 / 145.0024 | 176.0005 |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname usage | The original “Jedi” in the narrower collector usage | Sometimes called “Jedi” in broader market usage |
| Approximate era | Circa 1970 / early 1970s | About 1972, according to the cited collector reference |
| Movement | Hand-wound Omega calibre 861 | Automatic Omega calibre 1040 |
| Dial layout | Three registers at 3, 6 and 9 | Two registers, with a date and central-minute chronograph arrangement |
| Case dimensions | OmeGANG’s 2018 entry lists approximately 40 mm diameter, 43 mm including crown and 20 mm lug width | Not stated in the cited sources |
The calibre 861 is a hand-wound, Lemania-based chronograph movement also associated with the Moonwatch family. The 176.0005’s automatic calibre 1040 and different dial arrangement make it a distinct watch, even when a seller or collector applies the Jedi nickname to it.
What to check when identifying one
- Read the reference inside the caseback. Look for 145.024 or 145.0024 if the watch is represented as the original Jedi. Compare that marking with the seller’s description and supporting documentation.
- Verify the movement. The original reference should have a hand-wound calibre 861. A calibre 1040 identifies the automatic 176.0005, not the original Jedi reference.
- Compare the dial and case. Check for the original’s three-register layout and flat, tonneau-shaped case. A three-register dial alone is not proof of reference or originality; consider the caseback and movement together.
- Inspect the components and condition. Compare the dial, hands, crown, pushers and bracelet with the specific watch’s documentation. Ask about service history and whether parts have been replaced; originality and condition can materially affect value.
- Confirm the transaction protections. Because marketplace descriptions vary, check what documentation is included and whether the seller offers a return period or an authentication process.
The available sources do not establish an authoritative serial-number range or verified production quantity for reference 145.024. Treat a claimed serial-based identification or production figure cautiously unless it is supported by reliable watch-specific documentation.
Case, weight and bracelet details
OmeGANG’s 2018 reference entry records the 145.024 at approximately 40 mm in diameter, 43 mm including the crown, 20 mm between the lugs and 119.5 g. These are reference-entry figures, not a guarantee that every surviving example measures or weighs exactly the same; condition, components and measurement method can affect an individual watch.
The same entry records bracelet reference 1116/148. A replacement strap or bracelet should be checked for the 20 mm lug width and, where relevant, the correct fit at the case and end links. A nominally matching width does not by itself confirm end-link compatibility.
Rank #3
- Model 210.90.42.20.01.001
What the nickname means for buyers
Specialist auction coverage and catalogues show an established collector market for the 145.024, while live marketplace listings can help show what is currently offered. Listings and prices change, so a live asking price is not a fixed valuation or evidence that a particular example is authentic. Evaluate the watch by reference, movement, condition, originality and documentation rather than by the Jedi name alone.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
- Omega Seamaster Automatic Chronometer Black Dial Men's Watch 210.30.42.20.01.001
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