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In WW2, under increasing pressure from the Germans, the MoD needed to kit out their Troops with a Wristwatch that would stand the harsh realities of War.
The watches also had to have a black dial, Arabic numerals, luminous hour and minute hands, luminous hour markers, a railroad minute track, a shatterproof crystal, and a stainless-steel case. Powering them would be 15-jewel movements, measuring between 11.75 and 13 lignes.
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The 12 companies chosen were: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex.
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There were only 25,000 Omega Watches issued to troops during the Second World War, who knows how many survive.
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This particular example has dial is a 'VB' dial, so called as instead of an Omega signature it bears the Ministry of Defence stores code (or 'VB' code) for Omega - 10033. These were fitted to Omega WWW watches when they were refurbished post war and use Tritium luminous compound instead of the highly radioactive Radium.
The MoD started this change to Tritium dials in the early 1950's as the MoD grew more and more conscious about Radium use on their Dials and the effects that would come with Radium use as their Watchmakers would be exposed to hundreds, if not thousands over a short period of time.
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The Specs
Reference: W.W.W
Movement: Manual wind with Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 30t2
Dial: MoD Spec Tritium Omega Dial.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Hard to find in good order.
- Fully serviced Movement.
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Nitty Gritty:
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Overall the Omega is in nice Vintage condition.