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Advice please on vintage Eterna chronograph with Third Reich markings

O
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Ive recently purchase this watch and it was not cheap. Fantastic dial but whilst I get the gist of the case back markings I would love more info if possible. Case back numbers are 02-184
Thanks
Simon

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bubba48
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It isn't a military watch IMO
These are some of the official engravings for the issued watches

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Others do not have the eagle
 
O
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Thanks for that but I never suggested it was military issue just interested in exactly what the markings may be attributed to.
Cheers
 
Walrus
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Are you certain it’s third reich? I mean it does look like it that kinda stuff gives me bad juju but it is an interesting part of history that took place. Historical watches are cool. Beautiful dial.
 
dsio
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The logo with FL UV looks like it's more commonly seen on dinner plates, as FL.U.V. was Flugplatz Unterkunfts Verwaltung or airfield accomodation administration, as in the logistics team that made sure the pilots and airfield staff had their dinner served, kept their sheets and clothes laundered and ensured the toilets flushed correctly. It makes sense on dinner plates, but why it would be on an Eterna chronograph is a bit odd, unless the Germans were extremely particular about when dinner was served, which... being Germans is entirely possible I guess.

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O
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Wow thats very interesting !
Yes the Eterna is not official military issue but to have it engraved on the back of what would have been a very expensive watch ( prob the price of a used car ) would not indicate plate washer status. Perhaps airfield commander .The numbers 02-184 may reveal more ?
 
bubba48
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O Omega312
Wow thats very interesting !
Yes the Eterna is not official military issue but to have it engraved on the back of what would have been a very expensive watch ( prob the price of a used car ) would not indicate plate washer status. Perhaps airfield commander .The numbers 02-184 may reveal more ?

Maybe some code 🤔; who knows, speak 😉

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O
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Thanks for your help
Its not a Luftwaffe issue watch but clearly used and then engraved by somebody working at a high level . What does the 02-184 mean ??
 
HamDoctor
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Likely to find out if the source is reputable, or if it's a seller that is unscrupulous enough to "embellish" an otherwise perfectly good chronograph with a pseudo-emblem of one of the most disreputable regimes ever to blemish the surface of this planet. Not that we aren't trying to catch up, historically speaking.

Edit: 02/184 was the NVA object number of the Laage airfield in the former GDR (eastern bloc Germany). I couldn't find out if the number was in use before 1945.
Edited:
 
Larry S
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I have a Tri Compax with Royal Artillery officer markings, also not issued but interesting nonetheless. Perhaps the owner of your watch at the time had his engraved for similar reasons.
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bsowers34
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No need to "cancel" it, it is historical. I would question whether or not that caseback is actually original. But at least it doesn't have "Trump" carved in it.
 
DaveK
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O Omega312
why do you ask ??
Because where you found it might be interesting or a clue to its past (Argentina, for example). Collectors are interested in a lot of angles
 
Larry S
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Dan S Dan S
A great chronograph ... ruined. 🤮
Nothing a careful polish cannot remove. A buddy of mine has a WW2 Mauser that has the same offensive markings. Came back with a relative after the war and has been in the family ever since. I kinda view that as a historical although it makes my stomach churn a bit. I’d not own this watch with that on the back.
 
krogerfoot
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I have absolutely no idea about the authenticity of the watch but the speculation is leaping far ahead of the available evidence. Airfield commander, someone working at a high level—we’ve seen this kind of entirely unfounded excitement build before. Not trying to be a killjoy, but a healthy majority of items with supposed wartime markings turn out to be counterfeit.

What if it’s authentic? Then an actual Nazi who loved Naziism so much he had a swastika engraved on a nice watch owned it. Hard to enjoy it, even as a historical artifact. What if it’s not authentic? Then someone desecrated a nice watch with Nazi shit. Why would they do that? No innocent rationale comes to mind. Why would anyone want it, then? Hard to answer that question, I think.
 
Larry S
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krogerfoot krogerfoot
I have absolutely no idea about the authenticity of the watch but the speculation is leaping far ahead of the available evidence. Airfield commander, someone working at a high level—we’ve seen this kind of entirely unfounded excitement build before. Not trying to be a killjoy, but a healthy majority of items with supposed wartime markings turn out to be counterfeit.

What if it’s authentic? Then an actual Nazi who loved Naziism so much he had a swastika engraved on a nice watch owned it. Hard to enjoy it, even as a historical artifact. What if it’s not authentic? Then someone desecrated a nice watch with Nazi shit. Why would they do that? No innocent rationale comes to mind. Why would anyone want it, then? Hard to answer that question, I think.
I suspect your second theory is more correct, making this basically a cursed object.
 
O
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The watch checks out as original . I bought it from a very sound guy. His wife father collected circa 250 watches in Holland starting just after WW2. I have bought 4 watches from him so far and will buy more. I have my answer ( amongst all the weirdo replies ( but appreciated none the less ) Not military issue but worn by a highish ranking person in the German air force as mentioned possibly a Luftwaffe base / aerodrome commander or a very rich cook .
 
Dan S
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My personal feeling is that a faked/counterfeit case-back would be the best-case scenario. One could then have the case-back repaired, as @Larry S suggested, and restore it to its original state, with no Nazi connection. I would never own a watch with that symbol on it, but even if you are justifying it as a piece of history, ownership by a minor Nazi functionary has negligible interest or historical value.
 
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