OMEGA’s “Star Wars” Watches

It’s something of an honor when the watch community collectively bestows a watch with a nickname—think the Rolex “Batman” GMT-Master II, or the “Hulk” Submariner, or the plethora of nicknames for Seikos out there. But OMEGAs don’t really get this sort of honor often, with the exception of a few, thanks to one vintage watch expert.

In the 1970s, OMEGA introduced several unique Seamaster models that featured chunky cases and boldly-colored dials. Around the same time, the first Star Wars installment was becoming a cultural touchstone. These ref. 145.023 Seamasters, with Caliber 861 movements inside 47mm octagonal polished tungsten-chrome cases, had two dial versions—one in black, grey, and red, the other with a blue, black, and red color scheme. And the nickname? The “Anakin Skywalker” Seamaster.

The name came about when Chuck Maddox, one of the foremost vintage OMEGA chronograph experts during his lifetime and a big fan of the Star Wars movie series, began referring to the watch as the “Anakin Skywalker”. The name stuck among other watch enthusiasts.

There are other OMEGA watch models that Maddox referred to with nods to Star Wars characters. The OMEGA Seamaster ref. 145.0023, visually similar to the “Anakin Skywalker” Seamaster in all but case color, became known as the “Darth Vader.” The “Darth Vader” Seamaster has the same octagonally-shaped case but in a black ceramic finish. According to Maddox, it’s a watch that would look right at home on Darth Vader’s wrist.

And then there’s the OMEGA Seamaster 145.024 that Maddox dubbed the “Jedi” chronograph. Produced in the early 1970s, the OMEGA “Jedi” Seamaster is a chronograph inside a rounded shield case and came with a white or black dial.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 4, 2015. We have updated it to include more information.

Images ©: Header; Crown & Caliber. 1; Chronocentric. 2; OMEGA Forums.