The Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale will see a host of interesting and collectable watches go under the hammer on 11th July, with good pieces from leading watchmakers such as the Rolex "Root Beer" Dial GMT Master wristwatch and Patek Philippes including Calatrava, Twenty-4 and Gondolo models. Omega buyers have a chance to purchase a good selection of well-known models like the Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial and a limited edition Speedmaster Moon watch, alongside many more good names such as Jaeger LeCoultre, Cartier, and Chopard.
Jaeger LeCoultre: A World War II Military Wristwatch, circa 1944, Estimate: £1,000-1,500 plus buyer’s premium
Collectors of military watches are well catered for, with five unusual and rare pieces. Two of the military watches are from ‘The Dirty Dozen’, the name given to a group of 12 watches commissioned by the Ministry of Defence for use by forces during the Second World War. The MoD ordered custom-built wristwatches from 12 Swiss watchmakers: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor and Vertex.
Longines: A World War II Military Wristwatch, circa 1945, Estimate: £2,000-3,000 plus buyer’s premium
Each company was given the specific brief of providing watches that were accurate, reliable and durable, with a black dial, Arabic numerals, luminous markers, a railroad minute track, shatterproof glass and a stainless-steel case. No matter the maker, these watches can be identified by the engraved 'W.W.W.' on the reverse, as well as the broad arrowhead mark on the dial, inner case, and reverse, and both military and civil serial numbers on the reverse. On offer in the sale are examples by Jaeger LeCoultre and Longines; only around 6,000 watches were made by Jaeger LeCoultre, and 8,000 by Longines.
Lemania British Royal Navy Military Single Push Chronograph Wristwatch, made circa 1950, Estimate: £1,500-1,800 plus buyer’s premium
Amongst the other interesting military watches is a rare Lemania British Royal Navy Military Single Push Chronograph Wristwatch, made circa 1950. This is the HS9, issued by the British government to the Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm; ‘HS’ stands for Hydrographic Survey, which mapped harbours and waterways, and the ‘9’was the specification number which indicates it was a chronograph. The watch is marked with the number ‘0552/924-3305’, showing that it was made for the British Royal Navy between 1945 and 1950. This rare example, however, has the HS9 struck through, meaning that the watch was later reissued.
Omega: A Stainless Steel Centre Seconds Royal Air Force Issue Wristwatch, issued in 1956, Estimate: £800-1,200 plus buyer’s premium
A good Omega Royal Air Force Issue Pilot’s Wristwatch issued in 1956 is another collectors’ dream, featuring the military engraving ‘A.M 6B/159 3958/56’ on the case back. A large number of these 6B/159 pilot’s watches were made during the Second World War, and in 1956 the surplus were modified and re-issued to the RAF by the Ministry of Defence. The movement number on this example dates the original manufacture to circa 1943.
CWC: A British Military Royal Navy Issue Diver’s Wristwatch, issued in 1999, Estimate: £700-900 plus buyer’s premium
A more recent military wristwatch on offer is a CWC (Cabot Watch Company) British Military Royal Navy Issue Diver’s Wristwatch, which was issued in 1999. This case back has the engraved military marks ‘0555/6645-99’ indicating a commission by the British Royal Navy. This is also a collectable diver’s watch because of the so called "Big Triangle" dial.
