1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
Ref: CK2384

1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8
Regular price
Sold
Sale price
£1,500.00
Unit price
per 

Specification

Reference : CK2384
Movement : Manually Wound Omega 30T2.SC
Age : 1941/1950
Specific Age : Circa. 1943
Case Size : 34.5mm
Case Thickness : 11mm
Lug to Lug : 41.5mm
Lugs :
 18mm
Condition :
 Pre-Owned
Box & Papers :
 None
Case Material :
 Stainless Steel
Warranty :
 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original vintage Omega box or paperwork, however the watch comes with Somlo "Vintage" official Omega box and their paperwork. The watch comes paired on a well-suited brown leather strap with an original Omega buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1943 and is sold in worn, vintage condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty.


The Watch

Formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co. it was founded by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. In 1903 they renamed the company Omega until 1982 when they officially changed their name to Omega SA. They are part of the Swiss Swatch Group.

Here we have an interesting 1943 Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms Pilot Watch HS.8. Its military markings HS.8 confirm that this piece was issued to pilots and navigators of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. These watches have specific specification requirements similar to the standard RAF (6B/159) issue with a slim 34.5mm stainless steel case.  A difference was the lug holes for spring bars, enabling the wearer to opt for any type of strap, unlike the standard issue which had fixed lugs. On the right side a domed crown. A fine bezel holds a domed crystal above a white dial. A wide minute track is finely printed with the seconds. Lumed Arabic numerals mark the hours. Elegant dauphine hands with lume infill and a tapered seconds hand complete this dial. On the reverse, a screw-down stainless steel case back with HS.8 43.27 deeply engraved in the center. A Broad Arrow signifying British government property.

The HS stands for ‘Hydrographic Survey’, and the number eight indicates the wristwatch. The Hydrographic Survey is the science of measuring and describing features that can affect maritime navigation. Inside a Manually Wound Omega Cal. 30T2-SC, a Swiss 15 jewel movement highly regarded by collectors. and industry for its reliability and accuracy. The Cal. 30 series of movements were first produced in 1939.  The watch comes fitted on an 18mm leather strap with a signed Omega buckle. This watch was previously sold by Somlo London, the only Official Omega vintage watch store. It was established in 1977 by George Somlo and together with his wife Sandi, initially specialising in antique pocket watches and wristwatches. In 2008 they were approached by Omega to sell a large range of vintage Omegas from their store in the Burlington Arcade. The box and paperwork are specific to Somlo London, which is nice to have.


Personal Note

A lovely watch that is a bit odd as if you search HS.8 you will see watches that don't really look anything like this one, the dial has been restored by Omega and they opted for this style dial, and these hands, quite dissimilar to what it once was. The reasoning behind this we just don't know, but it is interesting to see that they chose this. Either way, it is a fantastic vintage Omega and one that offers great value!