First issued in 1980, the Navigator was intended as a replacement for the H.S.3 deck watch and was for use in navigational tasks where the date was used frequently - for looking up tide tables for the calculation of tidal heights and times; and in astronomical publications for sun rise, setting and twilight times and for calculation of position lines for celestial navigation. As well as (more mundanely) for drafting of signals, reports and orders.
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It was based on the standard G10, and specified in two variants - a luminous version with NSN 6645-99-541-7362 approved for use in all departments of the Ministry of Defence except HM Submarines, and a non-lume version NSN 6645-99-541-7363 appropriate for use in nuclear submarines. The movements in the Navigators were the same as in the standard G10s, which already had a date function; so the only real difference to the G10 was the addition of a date window in the dial.
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The lumed Navigator was issued in 1980, 1981 and 1982, and then again in 1994, 1996 and 1997, with batch details as below:
1980 - old logo; SWISS at bottom of the dial; no service code in front of NSN; known serial number range 032 to 560. (This example is 357)
Above taken from the excellent CWC Addict Website
As you can see from the excellent article above, there were not many of these Navs issued at all, especially from the 1st year. The Interest in CWC Issued Watches, I have found to be growing at a supersonic rate and these early models are so seldom seen these days as they are mainly all in your serious Collectors Collection.
This represents a fantastic opportunity and investment.
.Age: c.1980.
Reference: G10 Fat Nav.
Movement: Quartz with Hacking Centre Seconds and Quickset Date Wheel.
Calibre: ESA 536.121
Dial: Original MoD Spec Old Logo CWC Dial.
Crystal: Original Acrylic crystal.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- All Original bar Strap.
- Fantastic Investment.
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Nitty Gritty:
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Overall the Nav is in very nice Vintage condition.