The Watch
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This is a Royal Air Force pilot’s watch which dates from the Second World War. The watch was ordered by the RAF for pilots and navigators.
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In 1956 the RAF underwent a program of rationalising their stores - they produced a new, stainless steel case for all their remaining stock of second world war watches. This new case replaced the low-cost alloy cases which the watches were ordered with and allowed the RAF to keep using the high quality movements. The larger Steel case was ordered in from famous British Manufacturer Dennison, the Dials were often quite crudely changed from white to black and the Hands covered in luminous material.
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Age: c.1943. (Re-cased 1956).
Reference: 6b/159
Movement: Manual wind with Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 12.68N
Timekeeping: Good, well within the reasonable expectations.
Service History: Unknown.
Dial: Original Longines Dial that has been repainted by the MoD.
Dial: Original Longines Dial that has been repainted by the MoD.
Case: All Stainless Steel with Screw Caseback.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 36mm/38.6mm End to End: 46.8mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Unsigned Crown. Replacement.
Strap/Bracelet: New 16mm Blue NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 17mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Issued to an RAF Pilot!
- Larger 36mm Dennison Steel Case.
- WW2 Surplus.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Very Minor scratches to the case.
-Scratches to the Acrylic and some lint present.
- Lume missing from Dial, a faint stain circle around the middle.
- Incorrect Crown.
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Overall the Longines is in very nice condition. It seems fairly untouched from when it was re-issued in 1956.
The Dial is in good condition, there seems to be a very faint stain circle to the middle and is missing some lume plots.
Case is in nice nick.
Caseback markings are nice.
Replacement Crown.
Acrylic Crystal seems correct it has scratches and some lint under.
Hands are in good shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.