My latest WW2 pilot/nav watch - Aircraft of World War II

Flightpath · 02-16-2008, 05:05 PM

Hi,

I thought I'd share my latest watch.........

During WW2 the RAF sourced good quality wristwatches to supliment the 6B/159 Omega and Longines watches used by their pilots and navigators, unfortunately this is not one of them............

Although this is a very nice watch I have since found out that it is not an ex-RAF watch but a 1950s watch with W2 markings and that Bravingtons were not suppliers to the RAF.

The watch has a silvered face with black hands & numbers. It has a stainless, waterproof, screw back case, it is non-magnetic and has a movemtent cover. The case is 32.5mm diameter with 16mm lugs (with spring pins).

cheers,

-John

Micdrow · 02-16-2008, 05:18 PM

Very cool and interesting flightpath. Many thanks

Jan7 · 02-18-2008, 04:10 AM

Dear John:

Many thanks for share with us your very nice treasures!

Jan.

Flightpath · 03-05-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jan7

Dear John:

Many thanks for share with us your very nice treasures!

Jan.

NOTE................ I thought it was a treasure, but I have since found out that this is a 1950s watch with WW2 type markings on the back, the seller has very nicely agreed to give a refund and it has been returned, I'm learning to do my research before I buy something!

P.S.
Bravingtons were not a supplier to the RAF but purchased military items after the war to sell (this watch was never used by the RAF and is not ex-military).

cheers,

John
P.S.
I'm lucky to have just found something to take the sting out of finding a fake in my collection...... I just bought a 1943 RAF Omega 6B/159 in nice condition (no fake!)..........

paulh1 · 04-23-2009, 07:45 AM

Hi I recently purcased this watch. The seller states it is ww2 pilot/navigator watch. It is stamped on the back can anyone tell me if this is genuine or if I have made a mistake. Thanks Paul.

Airframes · 04-23-2009, 02:35 PM

It looks like one, although the old War Dept 'arrow' isn't engraved on the back. It is also similar to the current-issue G10 watch, of which very close copies are available.

paulh1 · 04-24-2009, 04:56 AM

Many thanks for your help. Paul.

ramc181 · 04-26-2009, 09:32 PM

6B/234 is the Air Ministry stores code for a Mk VIII watch, which was of a lower specification to the Mk VII (navigational standard) watch, coded 6B/159.
The Mk VIII was issued for those tasks that didn't require the accuracy of a navigational watch, and ended up being a general aircrew item.

Interestingly, the US-supplied A-11 watches, as used by the USAAF for navigational purposes, were deemed not to meet the 6B/159 standard and were thus marked 6B/234.
Similarly, 6B/159s that, after repair, did not meet the original specifications were downgraded to 6B/234s, with the old code being barred out and the new one engraved below.

I notice your watch is either in a left-handed case, or the dial has been repositioned.

All the best,
PB

paulh1 · 04-27-2009, 10:23 AM

Hi I have done some more research on this watch and apparently it origianally started life in a reconasiance camera 14A-737. The watch was set to the time before aircraft took off and then the time of picture was registered on the negatives.They were then recased and given to navigators/pilots. This watch is in a left hand case.Intresting little watch. Thanks for all your help.

VERSUCH · 06-06-2009, 03:54 AM

Hi Paul,I attach some pictures of a camera clock in situ,If yours fits a standard pilots watch case
it may not be a camera watch as it is too large.The serials check out as mentioned although
the crows foot does not appear till much later in the war,the 1939-43 gear usually only
has the 6b/ number and sometimes A.M or a Kings Crown.
Cheers Mike

Micdrow · 06-06-2009, 07:51 AM

Very interesting clock there Versuch, many thanks for posting!!!

02-16-2008, 05:05 PM	#1
Flightpath Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 50	My latest WW2 pilot/nav watch Hi, I thought I'd share my latest watch......... During WW2 the RAF sourced good quality wristwatches to supliment the 6B/159 Omega and Longines watches used by their pilots and navigators, unfortunately this is not one of them............ Although this is a very nice watch I have since found out that it is not an ex-RAF watch but a 1950s watch with W2 markings and that Bravingtons were not suppliers to the RAF. The watch has a silvered face with black hands & numbers. It has a stainless, waterproof, screw back case, it is non-magnetic and has a movemtent cover. The case is 32.5mm diameter with 16mm lugs (with spring pins). cheers, -John Last edited by Flightpath; 04-25-2008 at 11:39 AM.

02-16-2008, 05:18 PM	#2
Micdrow “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,852	Very cool and interesting flightpath. Many thanks __________________ "Valor does not mean Hero."

02-18-2008, 04:10 AM	#3
Jan7 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Collado Villalba, Madrid, ESPAÑA (SPAIN) Posts: 176	Dear John: Many thanks for share with us your very nice treasures! Jan. __________________ 73 y buenos DX de Jan7 La llave de la libertad es la sabiduría. El cerrojo de la esclavitud la ignorancia http://www.u-historia.com History of U-Bootwaffe in Spanish

04-23-2009, 02:35 PM	#6
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,062	It looks like one, although the old War Dept 'arrow' isn't engraved on the back. It is also similar to the current-issue G10 watch, of which very close copies are available. __________________

04-26-2009, 09:32 PM	#8
ramc181 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7	6B/234 is the Air Ministry stores code for a Mk VIII watch, which was of a lower specification to the Mk VII (navigational standard) watch, coded 6B/159. The Mk VIII was issued for those tasks that didn't require the accuracy of a navigational watch, and ended up being a general aircrew item. Interestingly, the US-supplied A-11 watches, as used by the USAAF for navigational purposes, were deemed not to meet the 6B/159 standard and were thus marked 6B/234. Similarly, 6B/159s that, after repair, did not meet the original specifications were downgraded to 6B/234s, with the old code being barred out and the new one engraved below. I notice your watch is either in a left-handed case, or the dial has been repositioned. All the best, PB Last edited by ramc181; 04-26-2009 at 09:34 PM.

04-24-2009, 04:56 AM	#7
paulh1 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Many thanks for your help. Paul.

04-27-2009, 10:23 AM	#9
paulh1 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Hi I have done some more research on this watch and apparently it origianally started life in a reconasiance camera 14A-737. The watch was set to the time before aircraft took off and then the time of picture was registered on the negatives.They were then recased and given to navigators/pilots. This watch is in a left hand case.Intresting little watch. Thanks for all your help.

06-06-2009, 07:51 AM	#11
Micdrow “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,852	Very interesting clock there Versuch, many thanks for posting!!! __________________ "Valor does not mean Hero."

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