RAF Aircrew Mk III stopwatch 6B/117

A very clean example of a Mk III aircrew stopwatch crisply engraved to the rear of the case with a George VI Kings Crown, Air Ministry property mark 'A. M. ' and stores reference 6B/117. The '6B' category covers equipment used for air navigation, including compasses, sextants, stopwatches, computers, and pilot watches. The stores reference 6B/117 indicates a Navigator's or Bomb Aimers Stopwatch Mk III. These precise mechanical pocket stopwatches were standard issue for aircraft navigation and for bomb timing prewar and during WWII. The case is also marked 673-38, confirming this was the 673rd example issued under that specific contract in the year 1938. Being of prewar manufacture the quality or the case markings is far superior to later examples, thus making this watch rather more desirable to collectors.

The case measures approximately 2" diameter (5 cm) and whilst the movement is not maker marked it is of Swiss manufacture and is mounted in a white metal case, with white dial and black hands featuring a 60 second main dial and 60 minute subsidiary. The watch has standard crown winding and was designed for an 8-hour duration when fully wound and the chronograph action is controlled by the winding knob. The watch was designed so that the second hand should indicate accuracy to one-fifth of a second, and that starting and stopping errors should not exceed one-fifth of a second. The case and dial remain in excellent issued condition and the only minor issue noted is a very small hairline crack to the enamel dial at the 1230 position but is hardly noticeable. Whilst we have not had the movement serviced all is currently working as intended but we can't guarantee its accuracy and is thus for sale as an historic collectable.

Finally, we were told when purchased this watch was issued to and used by a G. C. Taverner RAFVR in WWII. We have nothing to support this but online research indicates a match with a Geoffrey Clifford Taverner 175675 served with the RAF in WWII and was promoted to Sgt on 29 August 1944. He was assigned to 51 Squadron and flew as a navigator and bomb Aimer on Halifax aircraft and successfully completed an amazing 41 operations and survived the war. He was awarded a DFC in recognition of his service on 25.09.45 and was also appointed Chevalier De La Legion D'honneur. The suggested provenance, if correctly researched, adds significantly to the interest of this piece, but we stress is based entirely on limited word of mouth facts when purchased.

Final scans attached are from my friend Konrad Knirim's definitive reference 'bible' 'British Military Timepieces'.