Original early, very rare original Argentan Doxa on-board clock / pilot's watch of the Imperial Air Force of World War I around the legendary Jasta flying aces Baron von Richthofen and Ernst Udet
Particularly rare and unique is the inner 24-hour circle in blue as well as the inner glass movement protection cover
The pilot's watch, typical of the First World War era, with its "inverted dial" for better reading in the holder, is extremely rare in itself. However, a copy in the original holder for screwing into the cockpit of a fighter pilot or a Zeppelin of the Imperial Air Force almost never comes onto the market. According to our research, this model is currently the only one available on eBay worldwide.
This unique piece of military watch history could have been used in a fighter plane, but also in a Zeppelin. This cannot be clarified anymore. However, the missing "FLZ" signature on the bottom makes it more likely that it was used in a Zeppelin.
There are two compelling reasons why – in our humble expert opinion – it is 99% certain that this is an authentic example of the Imperial Air Force of World War I and that this unique piece of (military) watch history was used in a biplane fighter aircraft or zeppelin during World War I:
1. The typical turned dial for the aircraft cockpits of the early fighter pilots described by Konrad Knirim and shown in several pictures
2. See photos below, so-called "car watches" were always signed and marked with "Automobile" on the dial and were delivered with mineral glass
Exactly this Doxa model with a comparable movement and dial construction is shown by the "Pope of military watch history", Konrad Knirim, on page 85 of his world-famous standard work "Military Timepieces"
Most of the first few hundred on-board clocks in military aviation history crashed and either perished or burned with their pilots - a super rare piece of military watch history!!
The aviator's watch in this offer represents not only the first genuine pilot's watch in military history, but also the rarest and least produced version. A super rare offering that usually only comes onto the market every few years.
This wonderfully authentic piece with a proud 65mm case diameter (without crown!!) is signed "Doxa" on the dial and movement and was made in Switzerland, where all warring parties ordered their service watches before the First World War.
The Doxa movement, which was exceptionally complex and robust for that time - note the early fine adjustment and the inner glass - movement protection cover - runs and functions (accuracy not tested). Interestingly, it corresponds exactly to the pictures by Konrad Knirim, except for the division of a bridge in the middle, down to the arrangement of the smallest screws and levers.
The dial is unrestored and in excellent condition, with all Arabic numerals intact except for a very small repair on the "2" numeral. Otherwise, no chips or repairs . Blued steel hands and indirect second hand, as later common on Wehrmacht service watches, are included. The dial's red "Doxa" signature is identical to the signature of the Doxa Jasta pilot's watch described by Konrad Knirim.
Runs and functions, accuracy not tested, all covers close flush and precisely, dial shows the repair spot on the "2" as shown in the photos
Unique opportunity to acquire a true piece of military watch history!
EZ: 2-3 good collector's condition, hardly any noticeable signs of age or wear except for the mentioned dial damage, winding works perfectly, glass has slight unevenness at the very edge and is tarnished in 2 places approx. 1mm - 2mm from the inside, probably due to glue
