Jewellery, Watches, Antiquities and Objects of Vertu

British Military: A WWI Mark V aviator’s pocket watch, by Omega, the black dial signed ‘ B.B.2316, 30 hour, non luminous, Mark V’, with Arabic numerals, outer minutes track and subsidiary seconds dial, the signed jewelled top wind movement numbered ‘5046315’, within a white metal case with signed hinged cuvette and snap on back, numbered ‘5857685’ to the inside and bearing British military issue broad arrow pheon under underscored ‘A’, watch diameter 51.5mm. £200-£300

The Mark V aviator’s watch, circa 1916 was made by a variety of manufacturers, including Electa, Doxa, Omega and Zenith (other manufacturers also remains anonymous, producing unsigned examples). Each watch was fitted with a 15 jewel movement, selected for its ability to maintain accurate time despite the constant vibrations endured whilst fitted to an aeroplane’s instrument panel. The Mark V was available in three versions, with the standard 30-hour, non luminous pattern being the most popular. A later luminous version was used by night fighters, but the constant vibrations caused the radium paint to disintegrate and the particles could penetrate and damage the delicate movement. The third type was an eight-day variant.

See: Wesolowski, Z. M., A Concise Guide to Military Timepieces, 1880-1980, Crowood Press, 1996, p32.