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 a magnetic deflector dust cover, retainer ring and repro Goldsmiths and Silversmiths branded "Impregnated" paper label.
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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: Unknown, Fully Lab Checked.
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: Vintage Pigskin Open Ended Brown Strap, worn but plenty of wear left.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Issued to a RAF pilot, can you get any cooler?
- Well Preserved Caseback Markings.
- Fantastic Specially adjusted Movement.
- Repro Goldsmiths and Silversmiths label inside back.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Scratches throughout.
-Age related discolouration to Hands lume.
- Very small patches of Dial paint loss and Bubbling around the Edge of the dial.
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Overall the 53 is in nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in good condition with some small paint loss and bubbling around the edge of the Dial.
Steel Case is in good nick really for its age and nature.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal in good shape, with some markings.
Hands are in good shape with some age related discolouration to the lume of the hands.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.