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Gotham Wrist Watch - (RAAF) Royal Australian Air Force - Pilot/Navigators Watch - c.1940s

£375.00GBP
vws0619

c.1940's Gotham RAAF Watch on Bonklip Style Ladder Bracelet.

This remarkable military style wristwatch appears to have belonged to a member of the Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F) named S.L Harris, whose name is engraved on the back along with, we think, his military number and "R.A.A.F". It seems a smaller cased watch especially for a pilot or navigator but this we think will not have been an issued watch but perhaps a personal piece that the owner had engraved so it wouldn't get lost or stolen! It comes on a Bonklip style bracelet which suggests it was worn over a uniform or jacket. We're seriously intrigued by this little gem! It's unusual, but resembles many famous military-issued pilot and army watches in different ways but on a much smaller scale!

It features a jet black dial with creamy vintage tones across its hour plot Arabic numerals, together with the pencil-thin gilt hands. Its case design is typical of military watches with fixed lug bars. The screw down case back is engraved with a military serial number, officers name and aforementioned Australian Air Force engraving. It features a gold coloured crown, not the only gilt feature; the hands, dial signature and chapter ring are all gilt and then the added bonus of the five minute counter in gilt also on the chapter ring which is not particularly visible in our photo's. 

Additional information:

Made from

Case: Chrome-plated 

Dial: black, gilt dial

Crystal: Plexiglass 

Bracelet: Bonklip style bracelet

Technical specifications 

Winding: Manual.  

Waterproof: No. 

Purchase details

Condition: Vintage used condition. Signs of plating having rubbed off on the case, bezel and lugs. Glass in great nick, case back also well-preserved.

Year of issue: 1940's

Guarantee

Sold with 6-month guarantee. 

Dimensions

Width (without crown) 23mm

Height (lug to lug) 30mm

Lug width: 13mm

Wrist size: Adjustable- strap.