An MoD-issued black dial Omega A.M. 6B/159 - numbered 4871/56 RAF Pilots/Navigators watch from WW2, re-cased and dialed by the MoD when re-issued in 1956.

Royal Air Force watches from this period and earlier, during the war were supplied by a number of prestigious watch manufacturers including Longines, Jaeger LeCoultre and Omega. In 1956 when Britain's Ministry of Defense "M.O.D." needed to supply watches to R.A.F. pilots and navigators they went to the surplus stock of wrist watches from WWII. In 1956 there was a surplus of Omega calibre 30T2-SC movements available. The original WW2  issued watches were modified and re-issued to the RAF by the Ministry of Defence, with the cheaper wartime alloy casings replaced with a larger, stainless steel, screwback, waterproof case, supplied by famous British case maker, ‘Dennison’. The original dials were also changed when the watches were recased by the MoD. These watches are commonly referred to by their RAF stores reference number of A.M 6B/159. This RAF stores reference refers to aircraft navigation equipment.

What’s On Offer

With the watch benefitting from the stainless steel case construction, the case is excellent apart from a few marks on the case back. The tapered lugs fit ones wrist nicely which is often an underrated feature of a vintage watch and isn’t always seen on these type of military watches. The dial has a stunning symmetry to it with the lume dots sitting nicely in line to the indices which are sharp and legible. The unprotected crown catches the eye and although not particularly a design feature, it finishes the overall look of the watch off nicely.

This watch was very recently serviced by well known military watchmaker John Senior so rest assured it is running well and confirmed to be as original as one would expect!