The Flightmaster thread

Mauzer

I’ve looked it up in “Flightmaster Only” from Rossier and Marquié.

I can’t find a second hand with black center in the book: neither in all the models, or in the section about dial and hand. This configuration is also not mentioned in transition/replace part.

I could have missed it in the book, or the book isn’t stating it.

There are a couple a pictures where the eitje of the second hand in the center is more damaged compared. Maybe “creative” watchmakers solved this problem bij making the center black? Just a random idea.

Biezmez

Hi guys
I spotted this watch with a black centre on the seconds hand as opposed to the usual all white. Is this a later replacement or a watch repairer looking to mimic the style of the hour and minute hands?

Regards
Chris

Dr No

Just scored mine last month . . .

. . . from the original owner, who bought it at a PX in Thailand when he was in the service during the Vietnam war.

He's the third guy from the left . . .

. . . standing in the front row. Not a pilot at the time; he was in electronics maintenance. He learned to fly while in the Air Force, though, and became a commercial pilot after leaving the service. The Flightmaster was on his wrist while flying until he changed careers in '83, and then sat in a drawer for decades, taken out occasionally for winding. He decided to sell last year so that another person could enjoy it.

At my watchmaker's now for service, and I hope to be wearing it by this coming weekend.

Cordially,

Art

mynamenumber

Hi everyone, I just found this thread and have only read through page 7 so far, pardon if I'm retreading old ground.

I inherited my flightmaster from my grandfather. My mother said he wore it during his stint as a Navy pilot in WW2. I quickly suggested maybe not but didn't need to win that argument.

mynamenumber

Hi everyone, I just found this thread and have only read through page 7 so far, pardon if I'm retreading old ground.

I inherited my flightmaster from my grandfather. My mother said he wore it during his stint as a Navy pilot in WW2. I quickly suggested maybe not but didn't need to win that argument.

Here's some pics, followed by some questions.

-- Is there a recommended service location that can address the few issues and do a respectful refresh (not restoration)? I'm not too sensitive on price, but rather would like to get this back to wearable condition. In particular, I believe the mainspring is broken, as it no longer stops winding when fully wound.

-- It looks like there was some "restoration" done to a few of the bezel numbers - does that seem correct? Is that a replaceable part?

-- Has anyone fitted a display back to their flightmaster? I added one to my 1969 Speedy and always enjoyed seeing the c321, despite the obvious franken-watch aspect of it. Of course, the correct back stays on-deck if the view gets tiresome.

-- Any recommendations for a nice leather strap for this? I'm thinking something akin to the IWC Big Pilot style, but open to ideas.

Mauzer

I’ve looked it up in “Flightmaster Only” from Rossier and Marquié.

I can’t find a second hand with black center in the book: neither in all the models, or in the section about dial and hand. This configuration is also not mentioned in transition/replace part.

I could have missed it in the book, or the book isn’t stating it.

There are a couple a pictures where the eitje of the second hand in the center is more damaged compared. Maybe “creative” watchmakers solved this problem bij making the center black? Just a random idea.

Fish70

Never say never!

Pastorbottle

Dunno where you are, but Kevin at a Watch in Time in Melbourne Australia did a major overhaul of mine……he’s not cheap but he’s good and his eyes light up when he sees a Flighty, he absolutely loves them.

It’s good to see that it’s staying in the family.

I bought mine new @ 1976 or 77, as a young fella of 15 or 16.

mynamenumber

I don't recognize the scene, but does this movie involve time travel? 😀

Fish70

Yes 😁