The Watch
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This is a Royal Pakistan Air Force Wristwatch which dates from after the Second World War. The watch was ordered by the Commonwealth for Pakistani Pilots and Navigators.
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These were supplied by the British Government to the new Pakistan Military as part of its obligation under its partitioning arrangements. The Longines extract confirms that this watch was delivered to Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, the main British Government supplier on the 18th March 1954. With these watches, they marked the Caseback with the movement serial number, which still matches, which is a very cool thing to see.
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I can only find 2 other examples of these Watches, they both also have extracts and were delivered on the 18th March 1954. I believe these to be part of an incredibly small batch of possibly 50-100. I can imagine that not many survived the conditions they were subjected to.
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The Specs
Age: c.1954.
Reference: 4830.
Movement: Manual wind with Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 12.68ZS
Timekeeping: Good, well within the reasonable expectations.
Service History: Unknown.
Dial: Original Longines Dial.
Dial: Original Longines Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel with Snapback Caseback.
Measurements: 32mm. 33mm with Crown.
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Original Unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 16mm Admiralty Grey Military Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 16mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Rare Bird!
- Red 12.
- All Steel Case.
- Longines Extract.
- All Steel Case.
- Longines Extract.
-Crisp Military markings to the back, matching with Movement.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Minor scratches to the case.
-Dial shows aging consistent with the conditions it has been subjected to.
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Overall the Longines is in good condition. It seems possibly untouched from when it was issued in 1954.
The Dial is in good condition for the nature of the Watch, it has bubbling and print missing from the minute track, it is to be expected.
Case is in nice nick.
Caseback markings are nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal Good.
Hands are in good shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.