Movado “Weems” RAF Mk VIIA 6B/159 Wristwatch c.1940

Movado “Weems” RAF Mk VIIA 6B/159 Wristwatch c.1940

SOLD

Stock Number: W0422 Category:

Movado “Weems” RAF Mk VIIA 6B/159 Wristwatch c.1940.

The “Weems” Mk VIIA wristwatch was issued to pilots and navigators of the RAF during WW2 and features a moveable outer bezel which is set to the second hand to calculate longitude to aid navigation. The watch takes its name from Lt.Cdr P.V. Weems who was a well-known aviator, navigator and instructor at the Naval Officer School at Annapolis, Maryland, in the U.S.A.

The “Weems” 6B/159 with specification Mk. VIIA needed to meet the following requirements of Building Specification G.535 :

The movement needed to be wound by the crown instead of using a separate key. The movement should run for a minimum of 36 hours (fully wound).  The hands should be made of blued steel and the case should have a rotating lunette. The case could be made from steel, chrome or hardened brass. The dial needed to be light silver or white (like enamel). The deviation needed to meet the following requirements: after three hours +/- 3 seconds, after six hours +/- 5 seconds, after twelve hours +/- 8 seconds and after 24 hours +/- 15 seconds.

There were five manufacturers of these very special timepieces; Longines, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Zenith and Movado. It is believed only around 7,000 were issued to the RAF in 1940 at the outbreak of hostilities and many will have no doubt seen action during the early dark days of the Battle of Britain and beyond.

Movado examples of these watches are very scarce and are seldom offered for sale. As such, the watch for sale represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a superb piece of British WW2 aviation history.

The Movado “Weems” for sale is in excellent overall condition having been recently serviced by our skilled and experienced horologist.
The dial has aged beautifully with a lovely even patina with very few noticeable marks or blemishes.
As expected, there are several minor scratches and marks on the outer casing of the watch which are commensurate with age.
The beautiful blued steel hands and winding crown are correct to the original specification of the watch. The locking crown is a later-day replica replacement.
The 157 calibre movement is running well and keeping good time.

The watch comes with a free six-month warranty, two new NATO straps and a handmade leather watch pouch.

Diameter: 33mm (exc crown)