The Watch
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You'd be forgiven for mistaking this Watch for the much more commonly seen Omega 6B/159 RAF Issue, they were after all produced to the same standard specification as the RAF 6B/159 wristwatches, which included a white dial with black arabic numerals, centre seconds and blued steel non-luminous hands. The only real difference between the two are the shortened lugs, lack of fixed bars on the HS8 and of course, the caseback markings.
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H.S.8 which translates as Hydrographic Survey and the number “8” refers to a Wristwatch.
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Issued to a Royal Navy Pilot in 1943 probably flying off aircraft carriers.
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Only a few thousand of these Watches were issued to Royal Navy Pilots, making them seldom seen and examples in this sort of nick even more so.
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The Specs
Age: c.1943
Movement: Manual wind with Non-Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 30t2 SC.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Full Service, March 2023.
Dial: Original Omega Military Specification Dial.
Case: Chrome Plated Brass with Shorter Lugs.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 33mm/34.6mm End to End: 39.2mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New Light Blue NATO Strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Issued to a Royal Navy pilot, can you get any cooler?
- 1 of only a few thousand.
- Blue Steeled Handset.
-Dial is in lovely age related order.
-Correct Shortened lugs and spring bars.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some marks to Case.
-Small age related marks and scratches the Dial.
- Some fading of the numerals.
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Overall this Omega Pilot is in nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in good condition, with some age related fading to the numerals and a few minor marks to the Dial. The Dial has aged a glorious colour.
Chrome Case is in good nick really for its age and nature.
Caseback markings are nice, though a little wear.
Original Crown.
Crystal in good shape.
Hands are in lovely shape.