The Watch
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These Omega Watches were supplied to and issued by the RAF by long standing supplier Goldsmiths and Silversmiths who contracted Omega to build the Watch to the exact specifications needed by the Air Ministry. The British Air Ministry ordered around 5,900 of these only on June 12th 1952 and the order was completed and delivered in May 1953.
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It is fondly known as the Omega "Fat Arrow" but originally these Watches arrived at the British Air Ministry HQ with radium Dials and a "Thin Arrow" just above the 6. However these Dials were rendered as too dangerous by the bigwigs due to radiation concerns and the Watches were recalled and subsequently redialled with safer Tritium Dials with a "Fat Arrow" above the 6 and a circled T below the Omega.
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Powering the 53 is the cal.283, a 17-jewel manual movement produced in-house by Omega and is protected by its Original magnetic deflector dust cover and retainer ring.
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Age: 1953
Reference: CK 2777
Movement: Specially Adjusted Manual wind with Non-Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 283
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Full Service, June 2023.
Dial: Original MoD Tritium Dial.
Dial: Original MoD Tritium Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 36.8mm/40mm End to End: 48.2mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Light Blue NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Issued to a RAF pilot, can you get any cooler?
- Very hard to find in such good order.
- Well Preserved Caseback Markings.
- Fantastic Specially adjusted, fully serviced Movement.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some very minor marks to Case.
-Small Patch of Age related discolouration to the Hour Hand lume.
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Overall the 53 is in very nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in excellent condition.
Steel Case is in very good nick really for its age and nature.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal in very good shape.
Hands are in lovely shape with some age related discolouration to the lume of the hour hand.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.