The Military Flightmaster

The Toyman · Nov 7, 2020

I recently posted pictures of my Flightmaster that's awaiting a new bezel due to the original rubber seal having wrecked the old one.
Here's a few pictures of the watch, box and papers, and it's history!
The watch was bought brand new by an RAAF pilot and used in military service for most of its life until 'retirement' from the RAAF. So here we have a watch with 100% military usage, a pure tool watch that was bought to work, day in, day out.
Thankfully once it's back together it's going to have an easier life......

malilis · Nov 7, 2020

Nothing beats vintage watches with a history of usage during many years ... ! Nice piece !

The Toyman · Nov 7, 2020

malilis
Nothing beats vintage watches with a history of usage during many years ... ! Nice piece !

Thanks malilis, I've spoken to the original owner about the watch many times and I'm very proud to be the new owner.

Dash1 · Nov 7, 2020

Wow, I see it was sold in Suva, Fiji, in April 1970, I was born in Suva a few weeks later! Great story and a great watch - I call dibs!

JimInOz · Nov 7, 2020

Great example, especially as you have the provenance.
It's possible I served on the same squadrons at the same time so may have seen the watch without knowing it, spent many years at Willytown and 3 years on Mirage fighters in Malaysia.

zwjk · Nov 7, 2020

Half the fun about buying a vintage watch is finding out the story about the watch.

I wish I knew the stories behind my watches. I didn’t know they had a Fiji Omega dealer in the 70s.

Enjoy in good health.

STANDY · Nov 7, 2020

zwjk
Half the fun about buying a vintage watch is finding out the story about the watch.

I wish I knew the stories behind my watches. I didn’t know they had a Fiji Omega dealer in the 70s.

Enjoy in good health.

Prouds The Jewellers (commonly referred to as Prouds) is an Australian jewellery business founded by William James Proud on Pitt Street, Sydney in 1903.
In the 70s they sold nearly all Swiss watches being one of the largest jewellery chains in Australia.
Prouds is still at Nadi airport in Fiji today.

Concer · Nov 7, 2020

Great watch and great story behind it. Have you ever asked the former owner if he happens to have pictures of him wearing the watch? I think that still puts the icing on the cake for such watches.

zwjk · Nov 7, 2020

STANDY
Prouds The Jewellers (commonly referred to as Prouds) is an Australian jewellery business founded by William James Proud on Pitt Street, Sydney in 1903.
In the 70s they sold nearly all Swiss watches being one of the largest jewellery chains in Australia.
Prouds is still at Nadi airport in Fiji today.

Ah I thought it was a different Prouds!

Prouds is still in operation in Australia today, but unfortunately they no longer stock Omega and the like 🙁

The Toyman · Nov 7, 2020

Dash1
Wow, I see it was sold in Suva, Fiji, in April 1970, I was born in Suva a few weeks later! Great story and a great watch - I call dibs!

Wow, what a coincidence.

The Toyman · Nov 7, 2020

zwjk
Half the fun about buying a vintage watch is finding out the story about the watch.

I wish I knew the stories behind my watches. I didn’t know they had a Fiji Omega dealer in the 70s.

Enjoy in good health.

Thank you, I'm thrilled to own it.

The Toyman · Nov 7, 2020

Concer
Great watch and great story behind it. Have you ever asked the former owner if he happens to have pictures of him wearing the watch? I think that still puts the icing on the cake for such watches.

Yes I have! He's looking for pictures, but there won't be any during his service, plus he says it would have been under his cuff anyway. He's sure he must have a family photo or two wearing it.

joe band · Nov 7, 2020

Beautiful Flightmaster!

i have a 1970 Gylcine SST Pumpkin with similar heritage.
A 3 owner watch, originally purchased at a PX by a Navy pilot stationed at NAS Alameda, California and wore it "religiously" in the military and the during subsequent commercial career.