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Thread: WW2 RAF issued Pilot watches

  1. #1
    Apprentice Plinky's Avatar
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    WW2 RAF issued Pilot watches

    I have a particular interest in the Dambuster raid of 1943 ( a relative was a pilot who was killed in it) and am interested in getting a watch of that era that was issued at that time to RAF bomber pilots...

    Apart from the Omega CK2129 and CK2292 are there any other contenders?

    Thanks for any info.

  2. #2
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    There were a number of manufacturers used, they will all be marked 6b/159 on the case back
    Some are rarer than others.
    Off the top of my head:
    Longines
    Movado
    Ebel
    JLC
    Waltham
    Bulova
    Elgin
    Omega

    It was quite common for pilots to wear their own privately purchased watch.

  3. #3
    Craftsman
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    It's a good list for sure, I think a Cyma (non weems) and a Zenith (weems) could be added to the list too.

  4. #4
    Looks like all brands have been covered.

    It might be difficult, but if you should get the chance, pages 651 to 671 of Konrad Knirim's British Military Timepieces is worth a look.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Looks like all brands have been covered.

    It might be difficult, but if you should get the chance, pages 651 to 671 of Konrad Knirim's British Military Timepieces is worth a look.
    Great thanks, i'll try to get a ook at those pages.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by size11s View Post
    It's a good list for sure, I think a Cyma (non weems) and a Zenith (weems) could be added to the list too.
    Thanks for the additional makers.

  6. #6
    Apprentice Plinky's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    There were a number of manufacturers used, they will all be marked 6b/159 on the case back
    Some are rarer than others.
    Off the top of my head:
    Longines
    Movado
    Ebel
    JLC
    Waltham
    Bulova
    Elgin
    Omega

    It was quite common for pilots to wear their own privately purchased watch.
    Many thanks for this list, i'll start investigating.

  7. #7
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    If you’re looking for a watch issued no later than 1943, be aware that ALL of the WWW aka ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches were delivered in 1945 so could not have been issued in 1943.

    Also a lot of the watches of that period were quite small by modern standards. The Longines Weems which may well have been worn by a Lancaster bomber navigator has a case diameter of about 32mm iirc. It’s a cool watch though.

    Here’s mine. Note 6B/159 on the case back as Sinnlover said. This watch is from 1940.




  8. #8
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by trident-7 View Post
    If you’re looking for a watch issued no later than 1943, be aware that ALL of the WWW aka ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches were delivered in 1945 so could not have been issued in 1943.

    Also a lot of the watches of that period were quite small by modern standards. The Longines Weems which may well have been worn by a Lancaster bomber navigator has a case diameter of about 32mm iirc. It’s a cool watch though.

    Here’s mine. Note 6B/159 on the case back as Sinnlover said. This watch is from 1940.
    Your Weems is lovely

    Correct they are all small by today’s standards but still wearable. It’s also worth noting that any WWW or ATP marked watch is not RAF issue. As is sometimes claimed by sellers (unless struck through and remarked)

    To the OP the Omega is most common, therefore will be easiest to find and likely cheapest. I remember when you could pick them up for 200-300 quid a few years ago. Not now :-(

    Just a thought, if you want a beefier, more modern sized WW2 era 6b it might be worth tracking down one of the re-cased models from 1956.
    These had the movement and dials from a WW2 watch placed in to a more robust, chunkier case made of stainless steel rather than the original cheap alloy cases. They are a nice watch and can be had in original and MOD re-dial versions.
    Last edited by Sinnlover; 7th December 2021 at 11:04.

  9. #9
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    Your Weems is lovely



    Just a thought, if you want a beefier, more modern sized WW2 era 6b it might be worth tracking down one of the re-cased models from 1956.
    These had the movement and dials from a WW2 watch placed in to a more robust, chunkier case made of stainless steel rather than the original cheap alloy cases. They are a nice watch and can be had in original and MOD re-dial versions.
    Apologies but, what sort of watch are you talking about here? Any pictures to help me searching!?
    Thanks

  10. #10
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    WW2 RAF issued Pilot watches









    Photos nicked from web
    Omega 6B ‘56’
    They have a thicker chunkier case more akin to the MK11s / 53s

    Black dials usually have MOD crudely applied lume on the dial and hands.
    Last edited by Sinnlover; 7th December 2021 at 18:28.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    Photos nicked from web
    Omega 6B ‘56’
    They have a thicker chunkier case more akin to the MK11s / 53s

    Black dials usually have MOD crudely applied lume on the dial and hands.
    Thanks! They are rather nice!

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