Jewellery, Watches, Antiquities and Objects of Vertu

British military: An RAF pilot’s 6B/542 wristwatch, by Omega, 1953, the signed black dial with white Arabic numerals and outer seconds track with luminous spots, luminous hands and white enamel centre sweep seconds hand, the signed 17 jewel 283 calibre movement numbered ‘1295465’, within a soft metal inner case and a signed stainless steel case with screw down back, bearing British military issue broad arrow pheon and numbered ‘6645 101000, 6B/542 7355/53’, to brown leather strap, dial diameter 33mm. £1,500-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Culling Collection of Military Watches.

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In 1952 the RAF laid down a detailed specification for a robust, accurate, waterproof, anti magnetic wristwatch for use by navigators and pilots. In 1953 Omega stepped up to the plate and the 6B/542 was born. These watches utilised the accurate calibre 283 Omega movement, within an inner case of soft iron - creating a ‘Faraday cage’ around the movement, protecting it from the effects of the magnetic fields present in the cockpits of 1950s aeroplanes.