Stowa

B-Uhr (Beobachtungsuhr), observation wristwatch for navigato

B-Uhr (Beobachtungsuhr), observation wristwatch for navigators signed on the movement 'Stowa' and inside the case 'B-Uhr Stowa ... Walter Storz Pforheim', c. 1940. Early-style black dial (Type A model) with white Arabic numerals, blued steel 'flame' hands coated with luminous material, as well as half of the second hand fitted with a 'stop' function to allow time synchronization; Swiss movement N° 5462 in polished steel (probably Unitas caliber 2812), lever escapement, compensated balance wheel, 20 jewels ; case in grey-tinted steel reinforced on the inside with a heavy iron ring to make it anti-magnetic, the contract number (Anforderz) FL 23883 is engraved on the case middle opposite the crown, and the case back bears the movement number (Werk Nr) 5462 (almost faded, scratches on the case), later canvas strap. D. 55mm. Observer's watch supplied to navigators for Luftwaffe long-range missions. Such watches, worn over clothing and fitted with a large crown capable of being manipulated by someone wearing gloves, were manufactured by four German companies - A. Lang Söhne, Gerhard D. Wempe, Hamburg , Lacher Cie/Durowe (Lacho) , and Walter Storz (Stowa) - and one Swiss (IWC). See https://monochrome-watches.com/the-history-of-the-pilot-watch-part-five-b-uhr/ For the Stowa navigation watch N° 5177 see Konrad Knirim, Militäruhren, 150 Jahre Zeitmessung beim deutschen Militär / Military Timepieces, 150 years Watches and Clocks of German Forces, Essen 2002, p. 350, and for a description of their use, p. 346.