Movado 6B/234 RAF Pilots Wristwatch c.1942
These beautiful wristwatches were issued to RAF navigators and pilots during the Second World War.
RAF watches from this period were supplied by several prestigious watch manufacturers including Longines, Jaeger Le-Coultre and Omega. These watches predominantly 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 6B/159. This RAF stores reference refers to aircraft navigation equipment.
The wonderful Movado 6B/234 watch for sale was produced in 1942 at the heart of WW2.
Interestingly, the Movado for sale was originally issued with the store’s reference of 6B/159, indicating that it was flight equipment issued for the use of navigators and pilots only. However, the watch was later re-issued with the reference 6B/234, meaning it was downgraded for general service by airborne and ground crew.
The Movado is considered to be one of the rarest of all the 6B’s issued to British pilots and navigators during WW2 and very seldom become available for sale, particularly in such beautiful original condition.
The watch for sale is the former property of W/O Arthur Mostyn Davies (1323499) who served as an RAF Navigator flying Blenheims and Mosquitos with 55 Squadron and 110 Squadron. Serving in Canada, India, Libya, Egypt and Burma, W/O Davies was a member of 110 Squadron when it made the last air raid of WWII before the Japanese surrendered.
The watch is accompanied by a large and varied array of personal items belonging to W/O Davies which include his Irvin flying jacket, RAF battledress (with ribbons and insignia), RAF forage cap, kitbag, dog tags and photo album containing around 100 original photographs.
A number of the photos are of particular historical interest including an original Air Ministry photograph of an RAF burial which is accompanied by a handwritten note by W/O Davies in which he describes his experiences as a pallbearer for the coffin of one of his friends.
Rare and special watches such as the Movado 6B/234 for sale are very seldom accompanied by such a plethora of history and provenance relating to their original owner. The watch, therefore, represents a unique opportunity to acquire an amazing piece of WW2 British horological history and militaria.
