This piece is the perfect text book example of a movement of the highest possible grade being used to fulfil a specific military requirement. However, for applications where absolute accuracy and total reliability were paramount, a relatively small number of high grade watches were ordered from several of Switzerland’s finest makers, the most celebrated of these being IWC and Jaeger LeCoultre. The majority of military watches manufactured during the war years were good, solid models that are reliable and well built, though somewhat utilitarian in terms of their casing and overall finishing. Depending on which manufacturer supplied the watches, the quality, and indeed the cost price to the Government, varied enormously. While criteria relating to the basic construction and performance of the watches was rigidly defined, there was scope for quite a wide variety of other variables. These were supplied to a specification defined by the War Department, but it is a mistake to believe that all the watches of ostensibly the same type by different makers are of the same build and finish standard. The sheer value for money that can be obtained in pocket watches at present is quite incredible and it seems inevitable that at some point, the market price of good examples by the major Swiss houses will rise to become, if not level, then at least somewhat more in line with their wristwatch equivalents.Īs background to this item, it should be noted that a large number of both wrist and pocket watches were ordered by the British Government for use by the various branches of the Allied armed forces. It is offered for much less than a military wristwatch from the same era by even a mid-range maker, making it something of a bargain for the collector who wants to acquire exceptional quality without spending a fortune.
It seems likely then that there will be quite a bit of interest in this 1943 vintage Jaeger LeCoultre RAF issue navigator’s pocket watch.
Military watches are one of the fastest growing areas of horological collecting at present, with even relatively unknown brands being sold for much higher prices at the time of writing than they were even twelve months ago.
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