WW2 Polish Air Force 6B Omega Wristwatch, c.1942

A very rare Polish Air Force marked 6B/159 Omega watch, in untouched, original condition.

At the start of WW2, when the first Polish airmen arrived in Britain, there was nothing they wanted more than to be allowed the chance to help destroy the Luftwaffe. They believed that the RAF would give them that opportunity, however, the Air Ministry was not convinced that the Polish pilots were up to the task. Yet, so desperate were the Poles, the Polish Government in Exile agreed to pay the British for leasing them air bases, aircraft and equipment, just so they could get back into the fight. This was how the PAF was formed and they assisted the RAF, operating under the Air Ministry's authority, however, the PAF had to pay monetarily for their continued existence - funds being made available from Polish gold reserves evacuated to Canada. Of course, there were Polish aircrews who came to Britain at the start of the war and enlisted directly into the RAF, they were not treated as PAF. PAF aircraft bore RAF roundels together with Polish checkerboards, their RAF uniforms had PAF insignia and their watches were marked to both airforces.

Confusingly, it has become popular in some quarters to declare that "PAF" is the sole acronym for the Pakistan Air Force. Well, this is not accurate. There were in fact at least two PAFs; the first, as stated, during WW2, was the Polish, which was followed in 1946 by the formation of the RPAF - "Royal Pakistan Air Force". Only after the "Royal" title was dropped in 1959, did they adopt the title, Pakistan Air Force. At this time Pakistan had on order Omega Seamaster watches and indeed, they were marked PAF but their marking looked very different.

Presented in full working order, this Omega watch is in particularly fine and original condition, with superb age patina and a solid, tight-fitting case, plus, what is probably the original long leather strap, which could have been wrapped around the pilot's glove. All still serviceable and working well, having been recently serviced by the former owner - although no warranty implied.

These gems don't turn up often, let alone in museum grade condition.

Code: 51275