Longines 6b/159

This is a Royal Air Force pilot’s watch which dates from the second world war. The watch was ordered by the RAF for pilots and navigators and one can only wonder at the action it must have seen!

RAF watches from this period were supplied by a number of manufacturers including Omega, Jaeger Le-Coultre and Longines, the watches followed a standard specification which included a white dial with black arabic numerals, centre seconds and blued steel non-luminous hands. These watches are referred to by their stores reference number: 6b/159 

The dial of this watch is a wartime replacement made by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), quite a number of these watches have MoD replacement dials, presumably they were used if the watch or dial suffered any damage. In line with the budget restrictions during the war, the case is an economy chrome finish with a clip-on stainless steel back. The chrome is in excellent condition, rather unusually - often these watches have suffered over the years. There are a few light scratches from wear, but overall condition is excellent. 

The Longines 12.68N movement is a thing of beauty and with no concession to economy! The movement is gilded and Longines even used blued steel screws, something which was standard in traditional watchmaking, but which would be abandoned by Longines and all the other manufacturers in the postwar years. 

The movement has been fully serviced and the timekeeping is excellent. The case has been cleaned, but as with all out vintage watches we have left it unpolished. The crystal has been polished and the watch has been fitted with a new leather strap. The watch comes with our standard 12 month guarantee. 

Specifications
Case diameter: 32mm
Case material: chrome with stainless steel back
Strap width: 17mm
Time keeping: grade A