Stunning WW2 Steel Omega RAF Spitfire Pilot Military 6B/159 Wrist Watch 1943
SUMMARY: A stunning condition stainless steel Swiss Gent's Omega Non-Magnetic, Military Pilots wristwatch, with its original steel bracelet, dating from 1943. The watch has just been fully serviced and overhauled by my watch-maker, and is keeping excellent time for a nearly 80-year-old watch, but please don't expect quartz accuracy. This watch is guaranteed to be a genuine Omega wrist watch, fully signed to dial, movement and case, and comes with a new presentation box as shown. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was merged with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) which directly operated and controlled all naval aircraft.
On 1 April 1924 the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was created as a distinct component of the RAF, which existed until 24 May 1939 when the command of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred back to Royal Navy control. Coastal Command patrol aircraft, including most large seaplanes, remained with the RAF despite their operations in a naval environment.
Prototypes were largely under the control of the Air Ministry and not the Fleet Air Arm until their introduction into service. This watch with rare naval marking, 6B/159 followed by an arrow is for specific use by a fighter pilot based on a naval aircraft carrier. Two clear contenders, one would be the. The Supermarine Seafire (the naval version of the Spitfire) or the Hawker Sea Hurricane, which was a marinised version of the regular RAF plane. Both planes were in regular use in 1943.
I have done some research and to date not been able to pinpoint which exact type of these planes the pilot flew. From 1942 onwards, further Seafire models were quickly ordered, including the first operationally viable Seafire F Mk III variant. This led to the type rapidly spreading throughout the FAA. In November 1942, the first combat use of the Seafire occurred during Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa. In July 1943, the Seafire was used to provide air cover for the Allied invasion of Sicily; and reprised this role in September 1943 during the subsequent Allied invasion of Italy. During 1944, the type was again used in quantity to provide aerial support to Allied ground forces during the Normandy landings and Operation Dragoon in Southern France. During the latter half of 1944, the Seafire became a part of the aerial component of the British Pacific Fleet, where it quickly proved to be a capable interceptor against the feared kamikaze attacks by Japanese pilots which had become increasingly common during the final years of the Pacific War. THE DIAL : 100% mint, satin white dial with Arabic numeral and signed "Omega and Swiss Made". Dial with cathedral hands and seconds hand. The new crystal is also in excellent condition.THE MOVEMENT : 100% mint, movement of CK2292 military type with typical Omega plates. The watch with a compensated regulator and two arm bimetallic balance, with over-coiled hairspring. The movement with a plain steel omega winding button.
The movement, is the high grade original Omega calibre 30T2 with subsidary seconds. The movement fully signed Omega, and with 15 jewels. THE CASE : 95% mint, steel case with snap on front cover is excellent and a stainless steel rear cover closing tightly. The inside of case with the Omega Watch Co. Triangular mark and case number of 2179/4. The back of the case stamped with the British government A. (for Air Ministry) and also numbered 6B/159 and 6677/43. The case with wear to case band as normal and to front bezel and to side of one case lug, showing its use and patination with pride. The watch comes with a new high quality leather watch band and a leatherette presentation box.Please do note, that this is a vintage watch and is not waterproof, and should not be taken into the shower, bathroom or a swimming pool areas. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Please note, the magnified electronic images show detail much greater than would be visible with the naked eye. Any dark areas or marks on highly polished surfaces are almost certainly reflections from the camera or lighting equipment.
If there are any marks or dents of any note, these will be mentioned in the description. The only exception to this, is if the watch has been misused or damaged. Please note that we do not accept 3rd part watch makers repairs or invoices.