Wempe. Montre bracelet militaire allemande surdimensionnée en acier mouvement mécaniqu...

Wempe. Montre bracelet militaire allemande surdimensionnée en acier mouvement mécanique Wempe. An oversized German military steel manual wind wristwatch Model: B-Uhr Reference: FI23883 Date: Circa 1940 Movement: Jewelled Cal.K.31 manual wind, signed 'GER.H.D.WEMPE' Dial: Black, luminous Arabic numeral hour markers, luminous outer minute divisions with 5 minute markers, blued steel sword hands with luminous inserts, centre seconds Case: Polished round, snap on back, band engraved FI23883, No.127-560 A.1 Strap/Bracelet: Brown leather Buckle/Clasp: Steel buckle Signed: Case & movement Size: 55mm Footnotes: In the 1940's, the German Air Force or Luftwaffe, commissioned watches for their pilots from IWC, Laco, Stowa, Wempe, and A. Lange & Sohne. Produced to the Luftwaffe's specifications, the watches all have a mechanical movement with centre seconds, cases measuring 55mm to accommodate the large movements (which were typically used in pocket watches) and have an oversized crown. The watches would all be fitted on an extra-long leather strap so they could be worn over a flight jacket. The crown could be operated with gloves on pulling it out stops the central seconds. The movement would be surrounded by an iron core, making the watch anti-magnetic. These watches became known as the B-Uhr style, abbreviated for Beobachtungs-uhren, or 'Observation' watch. The B-Uhr had two dial variations - Type A dials, such as the present, featured a standard outer minute track and large triangle at 12 o'clock, while the later Type B dials had an inner hour track and outer minute track. The watch cases were engraved on the left side 'FI23883' to identify the watch was for navigation. On the inside of the case back, it contained further identifying numbers and information: type (Bauart), production number (Gerät-Nr.), movement (Werk-Bez.), order number (Anforderz), and manufacturer (Hersteller). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com Movement: Not currently running, needs a service Dial: Outer minute divisons slightly tarnished in places, overall good Hands: Luminous inserts cracked, some portion of lume missing Glass: Small scratches on it Case: Surface scratches throughout, some nicks to the case edges. Oxidation marks and dots throughout to the band and on the case back Strap: Overall good Buckle: Surface scratches throughout We do not test any watches for their accuracy and as such timekeeping cannot be guaranteed. We advise that if you are bidding on a watch, that you or your agents are completely satisfied with the condition of the lot. We recommend that all watches are serviced and polished after the sale as they are handled throughout the viewing period. Please note that although Bonhams endeavour to include reference to any replacement parts within our Condition Reports we cannot confirm that each individual element of the watch is original or that, if replaced, the replacement has been made using original manufacturer's parts.