Rare and fresh to the market from a private collection, a sterile dial 6BB-6645, The ‘Lost’ Navigator /|\ RAF issued watch in stunning condition and freshly serviced and checked by John Senior!

The 'Lost Navi' watches offer an interesting proposition, approximately 2000 pieces were produced of these sterile dial watches and are of monobloc construction to the tonneau-shaped case. After many years of discussion amongst collectors, they are still somewhat of a mystery. These watches are very seldom seen and especially in a fantastic condition like the piece on offer here.

Most attribute the “Lost Navigator” watches to Hamilton as CWC didn’t take over the production of wristwatches for the armed forces until around the ’80s yet Hamilton’s were used up until around the mid 70’s so the “Lost Navy’s” were issued between the terms of both manufacturers.

Only issued in 1976, the dials are sterile or anonymous with no brand name under the usual 12 o’clock position. There are some interesting discussions about these watches to be found on the internet so we won't get into that here other than to quote from a fairly short and concise document that we liked on the internet..... 

 “ On closer examination, the external differences when compared with the Hamilton and CWC W10’s are:

Dial:

No signature

Smaller numbers 

Flat top on 3

Swiss Made inside the minute track either side of 6

Broad arrow style

Hands:

More pointed

White frames

Seconds hand is ‘chunkier’

Case:

Broad arrow style

Flat round surface on case back = 22.60mm diameter 

Font style

Issue number = 1.5mm high, /76 number = 2.00 high

Crown is deeper and has fewer serrations (22) “

Needless to say our watch ticks all these boxes. Should you wish to read this entire document then here is the link;

https://www.dbaswithguns.com/Imgs/Sterile_6BB_The_Lost_Navigator.pdf

What’s On Offer

The watch on offer here is in outstanding condition. It’s always a real pleasure to stock and to own military issued watches in such fine states of preservation and this one doesn’t disappoint for a watch that spent time on the front line. The dial is original and retains its legibility and sharp applications, the case is in amazing condition also and as with these styles of case, it wears wonderfully on wrist. Inside beats the A.Schilds AS 2160, 17 jewel manual wind, 28,800 bph movement which was serviced by military specialist watchmaker John Senior in January 2021. The watch has all the makings of a great issued watch, robust stainless steel case, Arabic indices, sword hands, broad arrow and outer seconds track which all in all makes for a really attractive and symmetrical dial that is both timeless but also takes inspiration from watches from both World Wars.

Additional information

Made from

Case:  Stainless steel

Dial:  Original Black

Crystal: Plexi

Bracelet: NATO style strap

Technical specifications

Winding: Manual 

Movement type: Mechanical hand wound

Jewels: 17j

Waterproof: When new

Power reserve: 50 hrs

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent 9.5/10

Model Reference Number: 6BB

Date of issue: 1976

Guarantee: 12 months VWS

Dimensions

Width (without crown): 35.5mm

Lug width: 18mm

Lug height (lug to lug) 41mm

Bracelet/Strap Size: Adjustable NATO