{"product_id":"omega-1953-fat-arrow-raf-6b-542","title":"Omega 1953 Fat Arrow RAF 6B\/542 Pilot’s Watch","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe Omega Reference 2777-1 SC, better known among military watch collectors as the 1953 RAF Fat Arrow, was produced specifically for British military aviation and has become one of the most recognisable post-war RAF wristwatches.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued in 1953, the watch was designed as a functional piece of equipment for RAF aircrew. The specification demanded far more than straightforward timekeeping: reliability, excellent legibility and resistance to magnetic fields were particularly important in an aircraft cockpit surrounded by electrical and navigational equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eOmega equipped the watch with its manually wound Calibre 283, a 17-jewel movement from the celebrated family descended from the company's 30mm movements. The movement was protected within a substantial stainless-steel case incorporating additional anti-magnetic protection, while fixed strap bars provided the security expected of a military-issued watch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe watches originally left Omega with radium luminous dials. During their military lives, however, most were recalled and converted to tritium. The replacement design carried a much larger Broad Arrow on the dial – hence the enduring collector nicknames “Thin Arrow” and “Fat Arrow” for the two configurations. The circled T beneath the Omega signature identifies the later use of tritium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFar from detracting from these watches, the Fat Arrow dial is part of their service history: it represents an official military modification made while the watches were still pieces of working RAF equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eWhat's On Offer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eHere we have a superb 1953 Omega Fat Arrow RAF-issued pilot’s watch, Reference 2777-1 SC, complete with its distinctive military markings and powered by the correct 17-jewel Omega Calibre 283.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe black dial is an absolute classic of military watch design. Large white Arabic numerals provide excellent contrast, surrounded by a highly legible railway-style minute track. Luminous hour plots sit around its perimeter, while the broad luminous hour and minute sword hands are accompanied by a slender central seconds hand and display their original lume. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eBeneath 12 o’clock sits the Omega signature and the important circled T, identifying the tritium luminous material used during the military conversion. At 6 o’clock is the oversized Fat Arrow, the British government property mark that gives this particular version its familiar collector nickname.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe lume has now mellowed to a wonderfully warm tone, providing just enough contrast against the black dial without detracting from its purposeful military appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eTurn the watch over and its history becomes even more apparent. The stainless-steel caseback carries the large Broad Arrow together with 6645-101000, the RAF stores designation 6B\/542, and the individual issue marking 1158\/53, with the final digits confirming its 1953 issue year. Comparable surviving examples show the same system of military caseback markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAt 36mm across and approximately 48mm lug-to-lug, this is a vintage military watch with surprisingly contemporary proportions. The stainless-steel case shows honest marks of wear commensurate with its age and military background, while the Plexiglass displays some small abrasions consistent with use - note the Omega signed crown. \u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eInside sits the manually wound Omega Calibre 283, with 17 jewels and an approximate 45-hour power reserve. The watch is fitted to a black NATO-style strap, perfectly suited to its RAF origins and adjustable for a wide range of wrist sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage Watch Specialist","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57476971397495,"sku":"vws4473cs","price":3450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0139\/8092\/6009\/files\/omega-1953-fat-arrow-raf-6b-542-pilots-watch-omega-british-military-watch-broad-issued-watches-vintage-specialist-825.jpg?v=1790241928","url":"https:\/\/vintagewatchspecialist.com\/products\/omega-1953-fat-arrow-raf-6b-542","provider":"Vintage Watch Specialist","version":"1.0","type":"link"}