Military Watches For Sale

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5665

Sinn EZM1 ZUZ variant

The Sinn EZM1 ZUZ has acquired almost mythic status amongst collectors, designed for the ZUZ (the SWAT teams of the German Customs Office) just over 20 were ever made.

The ZUZ is a small elite unit & so only a small number of watches were ever needed; however the quantity produced is thought to be around 20.

As is now well known, the Sinn EZM1 has just ceased production due to the fact that Lemania (who make the 5100 movement) have now ceased to supply companies outside the Swatch Group with movements.

I could give a great deal of history about both the EZM1 & the various German units who have used them, however I suggest that you click the link below for the definitive history of the watch.

http://www.broadarrow.net/ezm1.htm

For information on the ZUZ & ZTZ units, click the link below which will take you to the official website of the German Customs dept., I have extracted the relevant paragraph below.

1997

At ZKA the "Customs Central Operation Support Group" (ZUZ) is established. It is deployed as a special unit for the protection of Customs Investigation Officers in situations that constitute a special threat - such as the confrontation with potentially violent perpetrators. The ZUZ can be called in by local Customs Investigation units for extremely risky intervention and surveillance operations.
For the technical support of operations of regional Customs Investigation Offices, the "Customs Central Technological Group" (ZTZ) is formed.

http://www.zollkriminalamt.de/gb/index2.htm?gb-FrameSeiteChronik.htm

The case & bracelet are both 90%, whilst the movement & dial are both 95%.

The watch measures 40mm diam., 48mm lug to lug, 16mm high; it takes a 20mm strap and a the original Sinn titanium bracelet is fitted to the watch

SOLD

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5663

Hanhart Chronograph from the mid 1960s

Stainless steel model twin register chronograph, movement number 70769, dating from the mid 1960s.

The Hanhart was the most famous of the WWII Luftwaffe pilots’ chronographs, after the war ended production ceased for a few years and then restarted in 1948 with chronographs for the French Air Force (part of Germany’s reparations to the Allies) and then a few years later for the nascent German Air Force before finally ceasing in 1962. This is one of the post war watches made for the German Air Force, these have several advantages over the WWII models; mainly that the case is made from stainless steel, and not the plated brass used for the wartime ones and the case is a little smaller. Otherwise these watches are identical to the earlier models

Hanhart used their own movement, the calibre 41 with 17 jewels, incabloc shock protection and the unusual asymmetric placing of the pushers, with the stop/start upper pusher being closer to the crown than the lower one.

The rear of the case has full German Federal Air force issue stamps, with the stock number 6645-12-120-4858 across the centre and a stylised eagle with the number 67 above it (probably indicating an issue date of 1967). The case markings are identical to the one shown in Konrad Knirim’s book on page 570. The opposite side of the case to the crown has the number 6645/7119 engraved, and this I assume to be the actual number of the watch in the Quartermaster’s records. The milled rotating bezel still retains its red paint index although some of the rhodium plating has worn off the brass pushers.

The perfect original black dial has large luminous full Arabic indices, with two small subsidiary registers, sunk continuous seconds at the “9” position and a 30 minute register at “3”. The hands are blued steel “pencil” style with heavy luminous inserts, obviously after all this time none of the luminous still works. The continuous seconds’ hand, all the print on the dial and the register hands are all white, giving a wonderful contrast to the black dial.

The dial is 95+%, whilst the case & movement are both 95%.

Diameter 35mm; Lug to Lug 45mm; Height 13mm. It takes an 18mm strap and an original ‘Bund’ black leather one is fitted.

£1,750.00 (approx. $3,500.00 US)

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5685

Swedish Air Force Lemania one button chronograph.

This is a truly strange watch, it is a Swedish Air Force issue Lemania one button “flyback” with the most interesting operation I have ever seen in a wristwatch. The sweep seconds operates all the time, except when you press the button at 2. When you do, three things happen: a) the sweep seconds hand returns to zero and stops b) the winding button pops out c) the balance stops. To restart the sweep you push the winding button back to its normal position.

The watch uses the unique 16 jewel Lemania caliber 2225, which to the best of my knowledge was used in no other watch. It is numbered 1111605, has an Incabloc shock protection system and the movement is also marked with the Swiss Cross and LWC (for Lemania Watch Company) under the balance wheel. The movement is protected by an especially tight fitting cover which extends all the way around the sides of the movement, leading me to believe that it is highly anti-magnetic (although I have no proof of this). The case also has solid strap bars, so a metal bracelet can not be fitted.

The case is the same asymmetric one used for British Military chronographs, with a recessed winding crown and a heavy screw back; the case is unsigned. The rear of the case has the three crowns of the Swedish army and the issue numbers 58/3195, which may imply it was issued in 1958.

The dial is a perfect gloss black with perfect gold printing and bears the legend “Tg 195” above the “6”; I have no idea what this means. The dial has full Arabic numbers in luminous tritium, which has faded to a beige colour. The original hands have faded to the same beige colour; however the luminous insert to the tip of the sweep seconds hand is missing.

The case is 95%, the dial is also 95% and the movement is in 95+% condition.

It measures 38mm diam, 46mm lug to lug and 14mm high it takes a 20 mm strap and is on a new G10 (NATO) stap.

Sold

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5656

Omega Royal Air Force watch from 1956

This is a an RAF watch dating from WWII, which was recased and redialled in the 1950s by the British Air Ministry to the updated specification needed for navigators’ watches of the period. It is one of the last 6B/159 watches issued by the RAF, as the early 6B/159 spec watches met the Mark 7 and Mark 8 standards, it would seem logical that these 1956 recased watches should be considered the true Mark 9s. The difference between these 56 versions and the original ones is that they are all steel (the early ones only had a steel back), they have screw backs not snap backs and the dials are matt black with tritium on both the dial & hands, whilst the early ones had non luminous white dials.

The case is a heavy steel screw back with downturned lugs and polished bezel with a very sloping surface. The rear of the case has the military engraving AM 6B/159 and 1842/56, meaning it was the 1842^nd watch issued in 1956. The case is unsigned and is probably of UK manufacture, the likely suspect being Dennison of Birmingham who was the largest UK case manufacturer of the time.

The matt black dial was most likely redone in the UK, as it is not marked ‘Swiss’ and the execution can best be described as ‘amateurish’; the original blued steel hands have been reused however they have been heavily coated with tritium paint on their top surfaces. There were small tritium dots applied at the outer edge of each of the Arabic dial numbers, but they have all disappeared over time and only faint traces of their presence can be seen on some of the numbers.

The movement is the classic 30T2 SC, which is the sweep seconds version, it is numbered 99XXXXX which places it right in the middle of WWII and it has the basic rhodium silvered finish and no shock protection for the movement.

Like all of my military watches, I have chosen not to restore or polish the case in any way, as I consider these scuffs & scratches on the case to be ‘badges of honour’; however, should the new owner wish the watch to be restored, this can be done at no additional charge.

The dial is 90% (due to the loss of the luminous dots), whilst the case & movement are both 95%.

The watch measures 35mm Diam, 47mm lug to lug, it is 13.5mm high and takes a 17mm strap and a new NATO G10 one is fitted.

SOLD

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5689

Unusual Omega WWII Military watch

This is a rare Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm version of the Mark VII 6B/159 Omega wristwatch.

The case is a 3 piece construction, with a plated bezel and case centre and a stainless steel snap back. The rear of the case has the military engraving HS8 (standing for Hydrographic Survey, the department of the Royal Navy concerned with maps & charts and therefore also with all timekeeping instruments) and the serial number 5849. The inside case back is signed by Omega and has the model number 2292 and bears the legend “Fond Acier Inoxidable”; meaning ‘Stainless Steel Back’.

The silvered dial has full Arabic numerals, outer railway track for the minutes/seconds and blued steel ‘pear’ hands and blued steel needle sweep seconds hand with a circular counterweight.

The movement is the classic 30T2 SC, which is the sweep seconds version, it is numbered 991XXXX which places it right in the middle of WWII and it has the basic rhodium silvered finish and no shock protection for the movement although it does have a Breguet overcoil hairspring & a compensation balance.

The dial is 80% (due to marks on the left hand of the dial), whilst the case is 85% & the movement is 95%.

The watch measures 32.5mm Diam, 43mm lug to lug, it is 12mm high and takes a 18mm strap and a new NATO G10 one is fitted.

SOLD

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5668

Longines RAF Navigator's watch

This is a an RAF navigator’s watch dating from WWII, which was redialled in the 1950s by the British Air Ministry to the updated specification needed for navigators’ watches of the period. It now has matt black dial with tritium on both the dial & hands, whilst the early ones had non luminous white dials.

The case is 3 piece with a plated case body & stainless steel snap back & bezel, the bezel has an unusual convex profile. The rear of the case has the military engraving AM 6B/159 and the serial number A/16660 and the British Broad Arrow. The inner case back is signed by Longines with the model number 642 and the serial number 22521.

The matt black dial was most likely redone in the UK, as it is not marked ‘Swiss’ and the execution can best be described as ‘amateurish’; the original blued steel pear hands have been reused however they have been heavily coated with tritium paint on their top surfaces. There are large tritium dots applied at the outer edge of each of the Arabic dial numbers.

The movement is the famed Longines 12.68n with 16 jewels, frosted gilt finish, no shock protection for the balance and it is numbered 6651757.

The case is 90% (due to some slight corrosion on the case centre), whilst the dial & movement are both 95%.

The watch measures 30mm Diam, 44mm lug to lug, it is 12mm high and takes a 16mm strap and a new NATO G10 one is fitted.

SOLD

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5669

British Army Smiths wrist watch

Dating from 1967 this is a very special model as it was the last mechanical watch supplied to the British armed forces and in fact these watches were the last mechanical watches made in England.

The cal 27CS movement has 17 jewels, indirect center seconds and is numbered 5912; it has a gilt finish and the classic exposed winding wheels and click spring. The uncut balance wheel has Parachoc shock protection & a most unusual twin screw regulation system.

The gloss black dial has white painted full Arabic numerals with a “railway lines” outer seconds track, heavy luminous batons at each quarter hour mark and smaller luminous dots for the remainder. The dial is signed “Smiths” at the top and below that is the circled T (standing for Tritium) and there is the British broad arrow mark above the 6.

Smith’s quit the watch business in the early 1970s and are back in their original business of instrument manufacturers making gauges for aircraft cockpits.

The case is 95%, as is the movement, whilst the dial is 90+%.

The watch measures 35mm Diam, 46mm lug to lug, it is 11mm high and takes a 17mm strap and a new British G10 (NATO) one is fitted.

SOLD

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5640

A. Lange & Söhne WWII Navigator's watch (B-uhr)

Arguably the most desirable of the famed WW II German “B-Uhrs”, this is the mark 2 A. Lange model. It differs from the mark 1 and 3 versions in a number of aspects, most noticeably in the dial and movement.

These watches are commonly known as “B-Uhrs” short for “Beobachtungsuhr” or observer’s watch; however a more correct translation would be “Navigator’s watch” and were used by the navigator to perform navigational calculations.

These watches have a very high quality movement, it has a matt mercuric gilt finish and it is fitted with heavy gold adjusting screws on the cut guillaume balance.

The case is made of a special non magnetic alloy of nickel silver and has the specification number FL23883 engraved on the case side opposite the winding crown. The movement number 215224 is engraved on the outside of the case back and also inside the case back. Unlike the earlier B-Uhrs, there is no name of an external finisher as all the work on these movements was done in house at Lange's Glashutte factory.

The movement is brass with a mercuric gilt finish and the movement number is engraved twice. All of the jewels are held in chatons and the pallet jewels are white sapphire. The blued steel non magnetic hairspring has a Breguet overcoil and the movement has an integral hack seconds facility which stops the balance wheel by contacting the balance screws when the winder is moved to the hand setting position.

These watches were not “issued” in the same way as in the Allied air forces, rather a Navigator would be supplied with one prior to a raid and it would be returned to the stores after the mission was de-briefed.

Dial & case are both 90+% whilst the movement is 95%.
Diameter 50mm; Lug to Lug 65mm; Height 17mm., it takes an 26mm strap and a brand new heavy leather one in the original style is fitted.

SOLD

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WWII Agassiz Watch Co. Navigator’s timepiece in original carrying case

This is a very unusual watch from the Second World War, the GCT models from Hamilton, Elgin & Waltham are quite well known but the Agassiz is much more rare.

GCT (Greenwich Civil Time) watches were used by navigators in the US Army Air Corps to perform the calculations needed to locate your position by “dead reckoning”. In order to do this they had to be highly accurate and the watches made by the 3 US based companies mentioned above are all recognized as some of the finest watches each of the companies ever made. What is not so well known is that so many of these watches were required, the USAAC also ordered them from the US branches of some of the best Swiss watch firms. The only two I am currently aware of are Longines & Agassiz.

In order for these watches to perform their desired function they had to be protected against both vibration (quite considerable in the piston engined bombers in which they were used) and magnetic fields (again considerable as the plane would have magnetos, radio sets and, later in the war, radar). This is why the watches were issued in the special container, where they were held in the middle of the container by 4 helical springs; the container itself provided antimagnetic protection & the springs provided the shock protection.

The dial is the classic GCT style with an inner 24 hour dial & an outer minute/seconds track there is a 24hr up/down indicator at the top. The hands are blued steel and most unusually the dial is silvered, rather than the more common black.

The movement is absolutely stunning with a most unusual bridges/plate layout (it reminds me of the work of Albert Potter), it has 21 jewels, a “snail shell” precision regulator, indirect seconds and is numbered 226868.

The simple 4 piece case is also quite unusual in that it is made from stainless steel, bears the Agassiz stamp inside the case back & both the case back & dust cover both bear the watch serial number 226868 stamped on their inner faces.

The watch is contained in its original flight case made of grey painted steel, it has 4 helical springs which locate a central spring loaded watch holder and the watch holder still has the original felt covering. The flight case has bolt action closing & has a flat spring on one of the bolts to prevent accidental opening of the case. There is a glass window in the lid of the case allowing reading of the time without having to open the case; the window is protected by a swiveling cover. The case still bears its original brass label.

Case, dial & movement are all 95% whilst the outer case is 85%.

Diameter 53mm; Height 15mm. The container is 100mm diameter and 57mm high.

SOLD

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5204

Smiths British Military watch

British Army Smiths wrist watch dating from 1961, this is the much more rare Mk I version, issued to British Forces from the late 50s and bears more than a passing likeness to the Mk XI watches. As it has a wider bezel and smaller dial than the later W10 Smiths, the rear of the case has the markings 6645-66-010-6032; the “broad arrow” and the issue number 443/61 meaning it was the 443^rd watch issued in 1961.

The cal 27.CS movement is numbered 32, has 17 jewels, indirect centre seconds and a frosted gilt finish and the classic exposed winding wheels and click spring; like all British military navigator’s watches from this period it has a “hack” seconds facility.

The gloss black dial has white painted full Arabic numerals with a “railway lines” outer seconds track, heavy luminous batons at each quarter hour mark and smaller luminous dots for the remainder. The dial is signed “Smiths” & their coronet logo at the top and below that is the word “Deluxe” and there is the British broad arrow mark above the 6.

Smith’s quit the watch business in the early 1970s and are back in their original business of instrument manufacturers making gauges for aircraft cockpits.

The case is 95%, as is the movement, whilst the dial is 95+%.

The watch measures 36mm Diam, 47mm lug to lug, it is 12 mm high and takes a 17mm strap and a new British G10 (NATO) one is fitted.

£1,500.00 (approx. $2,850.00 US)