1940s vintage Omega RAF ‘Pilots’ (6B/159) watch

Date:             1943

Case:             Steel back, 32mm

Movement: Omega 30T2

Dial:             Arabic numerals

Lugs:            18mm

A fabulous example of a WW2 Omega ‘Air Ministry/Pilot’s’ watch, complete with provenance of the original owner!

A 1943, vintage Omega RAF ‘Pilots’ watch. The case (duralumin, a light alloy material, with stainless steel case back) measures 32mm in diameter with 18mm lug size. The case is signed Omega Watch Company, Swiss Made and numbered, with RAF engraving “6B/159, A9620” to the back. The manual wind 30T2 calibre movement is signed Omega, Swiss, numbered, with 16 jewels. The dial, with original patina, has black Arabic numerals, with centre sweep seconds and fine blued steel hands. The dial is signed Omega above the centre.

‘6B/159’ Air Ministry

These classic wristwatches were issued to RAF navigators and pilots during the Second World War. RAF watches from this period were supplied by a number of watch manufacturers including Longines, Jaeger Le-Coultre and Omega. The majority of these 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 commonly referred to by their RAF stores reference number of 6B/159. This RAF stores reference refers to aircraft navigation equipment.