Military Watch advice sought.

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@Dug as previously mentioned MWR forum is a good starting point for research - this website is a great resource, and may help spark some memories of which model you had.

https://cwcaddict.com

As you were in the Fleet Air Arm, you may have been lucky enough to have been issued a pilots chronograph (with the subsidiary dials) Hamilton started manufacturing these in the late 60s, Lemania was also an important supplier prior to that. Both have become very sought after with commensurate price increases.

Based on your description of a manual wind watch without any sub dials, I wonder if you had a Hamilton like this - those issued to the RAF had the 6BB code stamp on the caseback, but Fleet Air Arm may have had the Royal Navy 0552 stamp.

 
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@Dug as previously mentioned MWR forum is a good starting point for research - this website is a great resource, and may help spark some memories of which model you had.

https://cwcaddict.com

As you were in the Fleet Air Arm, you may have been lucky enough to have been issued a pilots chronograph (with the subsidiary dials) Hamilton started manufacturing these in the late 60s, Lemania was also an important supplier prior to that. Both have become very sought after with commensurate price increases.

Based on your description of a manual wind watch without any sub dials, I wonder if you had a Hamilton like this - those issued to the RAF had the 6BB code stamp on the caseback, but Fleet Air Arm may have had the Royal Navy 0552 stamp.


Many thanks for the advice.....I have registered with MWR and am enjoying digging around: a huge resource!
A welcome sideshoot has been the prompt to consult some old comrades for info, a few of whom are on various service groups....great to catch up again.
A couple have come back with something useful, one particularly so. As I recall, and not wishing to be ungrateful, he was extremely fastidious, so liable to be correct in recall.
Anyway, he is convinced that our issued watches had white dials, a single 'reset' button and were of a similar size to modern watches. I sent him a photo of a Hamilton but he is convinced that the case was 'round' in shape. The search continues 😵‍💫
 
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That's the one...that's it, that's definiely it.
I was convinced it had no pusher or subsidiary dial. The sands of time!
Next step....find one. Had a feeling it might turn out to be at the expensive end of the spectrum. Perhaps the MoD weren't that tight after all 😀
Was going to settle for a resemblance but now it has to be.

Many thanks to all of you learned guys for steering the way, and of course to OF.
 
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You might also check in with TimeFactors and have a look at his new PRS-57. It's inspired by the watch you're looking for, and comes in under 1,000 GBP.

Myron
 
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Hi Dug,
Of course it would be a Lemania. Good Man you have taste!!!
There are a few to choose from.
They come with white dials and black dials,
They come with one pusher but also a two pushers limited to years 75 and 76

The single pushers have three generations we call them Series 1, 2, 3 or Series I, II, III
The pictured one above is either a late series 1 or series 2 symmetrical
Series 3 is asymmetrical (extra width on right hand side)

The case back can get a bit nerdy
HS /|\ 9
6b or 6bb
0552
Will denote purchase department
etc etc denoting category county and function issue number and sometimes year
To have a guess at the white dial above
0552 - 924 - 3306 or 6645 - 99 - 924 - 3306 (could be 05 but it shouldn't be)

So happy hunting and you have a bunch of key keywords to help you.
And as you noticed a few new friends to lend a helping hand

Cheers P
 
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You might also check in with TimeFactors and have a look at his new PRS-57. It's inspired by the watch you're looking for, and comes in under 1,000 GBP.

Myron
This is a good call if you want a watch to wear every day. Mind you getting one of these is probably harder than getting a Lemania, but definitely cheaper.
 
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Great that you found your watch type again, and now good hunting !