RAF Aircrew Wrist Watch 70's ?
Cunning Artificer
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Among all the other stuff I was responsible for, I used to service aircrew watches in the General Instrument Laboratory at Changi during 1969-1971. They were mostly Hamiltons and they were mostly scrapped. Too time consuming to do anything but a calibration check and sometimes clean and regulate, but if anything needed replacement they went in the bin.
...after first being worked over with a hammer of course....
...after first being worked over with a hammer of course....
Mine disappeared when XD183 was Struck off Charge after its force landing during Basatu Padu 1970. Together with an enormous amount of aircraft components that had gone astray on the Changi squadrons.
Would you give a bit more info please ?
My Dad RAF VR(T) AEF Chipmunk Pilot, had an Omega at that time. Finally grounded (medical) in 1981 after 40 years flying for the RAF, I think having to hand back the Omega upset him more than the grounding!
RAF Aircrew wrist watch
I think that the Omega issue was actually from the 60s to early 70s. I remember being very loath to hand mine back on leaving and then having to buy an equivalent to replace it.
Its weakness was the vulnerability of the buttons which were prone to being bent, knocked off or just failing to work after a period.
I also remember the very reliable Bonclip strap which had the most efficient g resistant quick release I have come across before or since !
The Japanese finally prevailed with the replacement issue of Seikos for a period, the ones with a fabric strap.
Its weakness was the vulnerability of the buttons which were prone to being bent, knocked off or just failing to work after a period.
I also remember the very reliable Bonclip strap which had the most efficient g resistant quick release I have come across before or since !
The Japanese finally prevailed with the replacement issue of Seikos for a period, the ones with a fabric strap.
Last edited by Sleeve Wing; 24th Jan 2019 at 10:36. Reason: Added comment
So it's all Blacksheep's fault that my extremely accurate issue Omega 'disappeared' into stores when being serviced at Changi and I got a cheap inaccurate Hamilton in return. Kept in a drawer until I went rotary and was issued with one of the new Seiko's which was again very accurate (almost as accurate as the Seiko I bought in Changi Village).
Of note I remember a callout to a downed Whirlwind up country (yours FED?) during BP, but we were recalled before getting airborne.
Of note I remember a callout to a downed Whirlwind up country (yours FED?) during BP, but we were recalled before getting airborne.
Gentleman Aviator
There were various at that sort of time, althoiugh may have been "old new stock" wich had lived in stores for some time.
I remember Omega, Hamilton and (quite a bit later - late 70searly 80s??) Seiko.
It was said that the Seikos actually had a "date dial" but this was covered up (no doubt at extra cost) for the military as being unnecessary.
Rather like paying extra to have the radios taken out of service Minis. Sometimes the Fun Police really do rule!
I remember Omega, Hamilton and (quite a bit later - late 70searly 80s??) Seiko.
It was said that the Seikos actually had a "date dial" but this was covered up (no doubt at extra cost) for the military as being unnecessary.
Rather like paying extra to have the radios taken out of service Minis. Sometimes the Fun Police really do rule!
I had an aircrew Omega the blanket stackers took off me when I lost my medical cat in 1969. I reckoned that if an Omega was good enough for Aunty Betty to buy me that's what I would buy for myself. Black faced Omega, and it still works fine. I think about £50 then. Love it
Last edited by Wander00; 25th Jan 2019 at 07:46.
Of note I remember a callout to a downed Whirlwind up country (yours FED?) during BP, but we were recalled before getting airborne.
It landed after an engine failure in between some palm trees with very little damage. It was recovered to the MU at Seletar and there we lost trace of it. I held the inventory for all the aircraft on the squadron so after a month or so I made enquiries as to when we were getting it back.
It had been presented to the Singaporean Air Force as a instructional metal fabrication repair jig.
I then had to go to stores to have the inventory made up for disposal.
The gleam in the Suppliers' eyes could be seen as far as Temple Hill Mess. In no time at all I was signing conversion forms, taking on all sorts of aircraft components; nothing serious apart from an odd Griffon. It must have weighed about thirty tons when we had finished. There then followed a period where ALL my flying clothing and Service equipment was written off with the aircraft therebye ensuring my permanent silence about the whole thing.
Changi closed about a year later and with it the evidence.
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So it's all Blacksheep's fault that my extremely accurate issue Omega 'disappeared' into stores when being serviced at Changi
I wore a personal Rolex "Daytona" chronograph at the time and did not pay too much attention to the watches that came our way in between all the aircraft instruments. The Rolex died after about 17 years and was replaced with the Omega Seamaster that I wear to this day. I have found my Omega to be far superior to the Rolex.
The Rolex died after about 17 years
It's in a drawer, still immaculate, awaiting a magic wand. I could buy an identical replacement for $60 including postage.
Interesting to read that if you have a 1960's Rolex c/w box and receipt etc it could be worth up to $45,000 - see here:
https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv...nes-estimation
https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv...nes-estimation
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Interesting to read that if you have a 1960's Rolex c/w box and receipt etc it could be worth up to $45,000 - see here:
https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv...nes-estimation
https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv...nes-estimation