Movado Weems 6B159 RAF Navigator Movado Weems WW2 Navigator Supermarine Spitfire pilots watch, issued to the RAF in 1940 at the outbreak of hostilities.
Caseback marked 6B159 (RAF Issue), A.M Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.LTD, MK VIIA, 163 (believed to be the issue number making it the earliest known issue number to exist to this day as advertised) - the Movado Weems are coveted to be the rarest of all Weems watches and this is thought to be the earliest number still in existence.
The watch is in stunning aged/patina'd condition as expected with an 84 year old watch with wear and use related marks commensurate with its age.
The watch appears as a very early early issue, possibly having been through a period MOD repair during world war 2. The minute and hour hands are blued steel as was the brief for the Weems, the second hand is possibly a replacement during this time or from a later date.
The dial is marked with the makers mark MOVADO and has a lovely aged patina in line with the watches age.
The movement is the correct 150MN with temperature compensated balance assembly (157 derivative with centre seconds provision) and winds and runs fantastically well for its age - I have no record of it being serviced however it does keep reasonable time for its age and type when kept wound every 24 hours.
It is presented on a genuine AF0210 reproduction strap in period with the watches production date which complements it fantastically well.
The watch retains its original rotating locking bezel in excellent condition. The locking crown at the 4 o clock position is, as is often the case non original but fully functional, again potentially being replaced during the suspected MOD repair but this cannot be proven.
Inner caseback is marked with the serial number 11796 - decoded to:-
First 1 = Stainless Steel
1796 = 150mn movement (157 derivative), with centre seconds provision of date range of production 1935-1954 by the Movado production catalogue.
Overall, this is the chance to own a stunning piece of horological and WW2 history that is only ever going to go one way in price!!!
