WW2 RAF Lemania Stopwatch c.1940

An excellent Lemania stopwatch, supplied to the Air Ministry, c.1940. In good working order.

During the war, due to international agreements on neutrality, Swiss watch companies could not trade directly with the Allied military forces. However, commercial business was affected to a lesser extent, so the watch had to arrive covertly, without military marking. Typically, the Air Ministry engraving would have been completed before issue, but to expedite matters only a circular ink stamp giving the contractor's details, "G&S Co Ltd" was stamped on the inside of the case. A faded impression of this mark remains.

These early-type RAF watches feature enamel dials with 360-degree marking, which the pilot could use to time a "Rate One" turn. This would be useful should an aircraft lose the use of its onboard compass.

Presented in collector-grade condition.

Code: 51749