Omega H.S.10 Royal Navy Dive Supervisor Wristwatch c.1943

The Omega H.S.10 is an exceptionally rare find, and the few examples which are known to exist are all later modified W.W.W.s, the majority of which are fitted with later black Ministry of Defence (MoD) tritium dials.

One such example sold by us previously can be found via the following link: https://finest-hour.co.uk/product/omega-h-s-10-royal-navy-dive-supervisors-watch/.

However, the watch for sale appears to be an earlier example which dates to around 1943.

At first glance, the newly discovered watch for sale has a similar appearance to an Omega HS8, with the same alloy mid-case and CK 2292 stainless steel case back. However, the markings to the reverse of the case back confirm its rare H.S.10 designation. The watch also features what appears to be a rarely found refinished MoD white dial with sub-second dial. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, the watch is powered by an Omega 30T2 rhodium plated sub-second movement, which dates to around 1943.

The movement serial number would seem too early for it to have been produced for the famous W.W.W. (CK 2444) order undertaken by Omega in 1944. Consequently, we believe the movement, which is identical to that of the 30T2 sub-second chronometer standard movement found in the Omega W.W.W. (H.S.10), may have originated from an earlier and separate order placed by the MoD. It may, therefore, be that the movement is one of the first of its kind to have been issued to the British military.

We have contacted Omega to request further information regarding the movement, details of which are available upon application.

The important role of Dive Supervisor (Attendant) during WW2 is summarised in Admiralty Fleet Orders 2077/18 c.1942, which confirms their requirement for an accurate and reliable timepiece. An extract from these orders is as follows:

“A dive must always be attended by a qualified diver, as attendant he should see that the diver is correctly dressed. He repeats all signals when understood back to the diver and reports them, and all the diver’s movements to the officer in charge. When diving in deep water an officer or responsible person detailed by him is required to act as checker. This is undertaken as a rule by a qualified diver. The checker attends at the gauge with Table of Stoppages, notebook and watch for the purpose of controlling the pumps and stopping the diver at his correct stops. He is to report to the officer in charge all movements of the diver from the gauge and is responsible for the diver from the time he leaves the surface until he is inboard again. In the “Record of Diving Practice” (S288) he logs the time the diver leaves the surface and his arrival on the bottom. 1 minute after the diver has arrived on the bottom, he will stop the pump and obtain the depth by gauge. Having satisfied himself that there is no gauge error he logs the depth. He then checks the gauge readings every 3-5 mins according to the nature of the bottom. It is very important that these gauge depths are taken, as the diver has changed his depth between checks. He will immediately after the first check find the D.A.S. TR, C.P.R. and H.A.D. or H.A.P. so as to give the diver his correct air supply and maintains sufficient revs. on the pump to do so. He also reports the time limits from the stoppage table as they approach to the officer in charge.”

For some time, it has been assumed that the first H.S.10 was issued from 1945 onwards. However, the example for sale would seem to dispel this theory and suggest these watches were issued earlier during WW2. Consequently, it would seem plausible they were issued around the same time and used in conjunction with the Longines and Omega HSC, which were the British military dive watches of the period.

Due to its apparent date of manufacture, it is possible the watch may have been produced for use by specialist Royal Navy dive teams, such as the LCOCU (Landing Craft Obstacle Clearing Units) and “P” Parties during the lead-up to the D-Day landings in 1944 and beyond.

Some further reading and information regarding WW2 British Navy Divers can be found here: https://www.mcdoa.org.uk/rn_clearance_diving_branch.htm

Furthermore, two excellent books on WW2 Royal Navy Divers, written by our friend, Eamon “Ginge” Fullen QGM, can be purchased here: https://www.thehds.com/product/divers-of-wwii-the-p-parties-ginge-fullen/

The watch for sale had previously been held in a private collection for the last forty years and was originally purchased from the well-known military surplus store, Anchor Supplies, in the early to mid-1980s. A letter of provenance from the previous owner accompanies the watch.

Furthermore, the watch has recently been closely examined and serviced by our expert horologist, and additional photos together with a summary of their inspection report are available upon request.

The Omega H.S.10 for sale is a truly remarkable discovery. It is perhaps the earliest known example of its kind in existence and would seem to rewrite our previous understanding in respect of the H.S.10 and its genesis.

We believe it to be a special and historically important timepiece, one which would surely take pride of place in any vintage Omega or specially curated military watch collection.