Omega Seamaster Chronograaf '176.007'

Omega Seamaster  
Chronograaf
Roestvrij staal   
1970  
Automaat 
22 Jewels  
Uurwerk kal. 1040
Swiss made   
ca. 38.5 x 42.3 mm 

The Omega Automatic Seamaster Chronograph with reference ‘176.007’ was considered Omega’s ‘crème de la crème’ amongst the 1040 calibers, based on the Lemania 1340.
This was to be the first automatic chronograph Omega ever used.

The Omega Seamaster at hand is one of the earlier ones as it has a double reference due to the transition; 176.001 (crossed out) and 176.007. Once the stock ran out, they were all referenced 176.007. After doing some more research I found out that the 176.001 was introduced without a tachymetre, it seems to be all a bit hush-hush, no introductions, no advertising, nothing. The 176.001 was short lived and then the 176.007 popped up, and presto a whole lot of advertising and promoting.
Between the two reference numbers on the case-back you can see the EPSA logo in the shape of a diving bell/ helmet, and acier Inoxydable, french for stainless steel.
On the outside of the case back you can see the light engraved Seahorse/Hippocampus, Seamaster and the Omega logo. Did you know the Omega logo was introduced as early as 1848, it has become such a timeless symbol, with very minimal alterations over the many years.
On the bottom of the magnificent untouched original sunburst blue dial it is signed 'T Swiss made T" this lets you know that tritium was used on the dial as well as the hands.

With this stainless steel Seamaster you get an automatic chronograph, which makes it possible to read the time in seconds, minutes and hours, it counts up to 12 hours, it lets you know when it is night or daytime in the blue/grey sub-second at the nine o’clock, might come in handy if you live near the Arctic Circle, you can measure speed with the tachymetre, and if that isn’t enough you have a date indicator with quickset.
The original crystal has the tiny omega logo in the middle, if you look closely it shows up on some photos.  There are some scratches visible on the crystal, but these are simply too deep to remove. We would hate to renew it, mainly because this original crystal has a lovely domed/bubble shape. In some light/shadow you will notice some fine lines, keep in mind these are not on the dial.
The Omega Seamaster has received a full service, it’s keeping accurate time and functioning perfectly.
The watch came without a strap, so we dug into our stock, and found this ‘new old stock’ 22 mm stainless steel strap from Champion USA dating from the same time period as the watch, it suits the watch rather nice.