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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You will more "commonly" see the Omega "Fat Arrow" but originally these Watches arrived at the British Air Ministry HQ with Iron 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. Out of the 5900 delivered to the British Air Ministry, it is estimated that only a few hundred Thin Arrow dials escaped the MoD repainting and examples are extremely popular with collectors.
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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 and retainer ring.
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The Specs:
Age: 1953
Reference: CK 2777
Movement: Specially Adjusted Manual wind with Non-Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 283
Reference: CK 2777
Movement: Specially Adjusted Manual wind with Non-Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 283
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Unknown, Fully Checked by John Senior.
Dial: Original Radium Dial.
Dial: Original Radium 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: On a new Green Military Style Strap with Steel Fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Rare to find, all original Thin Arrow Dial.
- Well Preserved Caseback Markings.
- The Dial has developed a lovely patina. Some of the Radium plots have turned furry!
- Fantastic Specially adjusted Movement.
- In Lovely Overall Condition.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Minor Scratches throughout.
- The "Doohickey" Movement retainer ring is a reproduction created by Antoine Lebel.
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Overall the 53 is in very nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in very good order, with a very cool patina.
Steel Case is in excellent nick really for its age and nature.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal in good shape.
Hands are in good shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.