Omega "Fat Arrow" Air Force pilot's watch made in 1953
OMEGA watches were supplied and issued to the Royal Air Force by long-standing supplier Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, who contracted with OMEGA to manufacture the watches to the exacting specifications required by the Air Ministry. The RAF ordered only around 5,900 watches on 12 June 1952, with them completed and delivered in May 1953.
This watch, affectionately known as Omega's "Fat Arrow", originally arrived at the Royal Air Ministry headquarters with a radium dial and a "Thin Arrow" just above the six o'clock.
However, this dial was deemed too dangerous by the higher-ups due to radiation concerns, and the watch was recalled and subsequently replaced with a safer tritium dial featuring a "fat arrow" over the six and a circled "T" under Omega.
It is fitted with Omega's 17 jewel hand-wound movement, cal. 283, and is protected by the original magnetic deflection dust cover and retainer ring.
spec
Year: 1953 Reference CK 2777
Movement: Specially adjusted hand-wound, non-hacking center second Caliber: 283
Timing: Very good Maintenance history: Full maintenance, June 2023.
Dial: Original MoD tritium dial.
Case: Stainless steel Measurements: without/with crown: 36.8mm/ 40mm
End to end: 48.2mm
Bezel: Solid Water Resistance: None Hands: Original Windshield: Authentic Windshield Crown: Original unsigned crown Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm light blue NATO style strap with steel fixture Lug Width: 18mm
Features
- Issued to Air Force pilots.
- Very hard to find in such good condition.
- Well preserved case back markings.
- Specially tuned and fully serviced, exquisite movement.
Minor scratches
-Some very small marks on the case.
- Small specks of discoloration on the fluorescent paint on the hour hand due to aging.
situation
Overall the 53 is in very nice vintage condition.
The dial is in excellent condition.
The steel case is in really good condition given its age and nature.
The markings on the case back are very clean and the crown is original.
The windshield is in very good condition.
The hands are in beautiful condition, but the hour hand shows some discoloration due to aging.
Photographed on an 18cm wrist.
This item is being entrusted to us by a friend overseas, so it will take about 2 weeks to 1 month for it to arrive.
