The subject of this auction is a truly, truly rare piece of military watch history: an original Rellum early aviator's watch of the German Air Force with a rotating bezel and arrow index from approx. 1930 with a knurled bezel and arrow index, the precursor of the military chronograph as extensively described by Konrad Knirim in the "Bible of Military Watches"
The Rellum is the earliest, rarest and most valuable of these pieces of military watch history, known only to experts.
This already very, very rare and largely unknown type of early aviator's watch is a very special, almost uniquely early piece:
A l l known early aviator watches of the German Air Force around 1930 with arrow index, from Omega to Natalis and the most common Helvetia, are at least 35mm in diameter up to 41mm for the Natalis, and all have the wide curved lugs typical for this type.
However, this Rellum only has a 32mm case diameter, as was common for the first genuine wristwatches in World War 1 from Patria, Omega or Rolex, and instead of the curved, wide lugs, it still has the thin soldered ones, which are typical for WW1.
It can therefore be assumed that, among the many known experimental models of this type for future Luftwaffe standard chronographs, this is one of, or the earliest first model ever, as it is the only one that still possesses 2 typical features of the 1914 - 1918 era and not yet the later quasi standard size and curved lugs of arrow index watches after 1930.
The Rellum is considered one of the best known and most sought-after early pilot's watches, precisely because, as the earliest model, it does not yet exhibit the typical features of this chronograph predecessor: 35-40mm diameter and wide, curved, fixed lugs. In addition, it is the model that was produced least frequently - because the large Swiss and German manufacturers immediately followed suit and, not least, pushed into the market via price.
The "Armbanduhren Klassik Katalog" (Classic Wristwatch Catalog), for example, lists the Natalis (rare, but obviously a later model!!) with an estimated value of Euro 2,500, with a stable trend.
These early aviator's watches of the German Air Force, lacking chronograph functions for exact measurement and display of flight duration, were generally equipped with a rotatable, knurled bezel and index markings.
All models of this era already featured the typical characteristics that later became the standard for all Wehrmacht service watches: indirect seconds at "6 o'clock", black dial, radium-filled hands, and Arabic numerals.
Early aviator's watches, all issued unmarked because, according to the Treaty of Versailles, there was not yet allowed to be a Reichswehr, let alone an air force, in Germany, were produced by practically all renowned brands such as Omega, Longines, Zenith, IWC (Caliber 83), Breitling, Titus, Helvetia, Tissot, Roamer, Lanco, Rellum, as well as the small manufacturers Natalis or Wagner, and supplied to the German Air Force.
As can be seen from the photos in this offer, these pieces were/are traded between Euro 2500 and Euro 5000 according to the "Armbanduhren Klassik Katalog" by Muser Horlbeck, or achieved corresponding prices at the auction house Muser/Horlbeck.
The super rare specimen offered here, with an exact 32mm case diameter - as was common for wristwatches in World War 1 - without the crown, boasts a particularly rare, if not unique, "small" size.
Deep black, flawless dial with indirect seconds, Arabic numerals and surrounding early railway minute track, hands absolutely original (see photos)
Runs and functions perfectly - accuracy not tested - it has an unsigned movement with already 15 jewels and early fine regulation. Radium filling in the original hands is fully preserved, normal signs of oxidation can be seen on the case of the almost perfectly preserved artifact and piece of military watch history, but no real damage or deep scratches, the condition after almost 100 years is good to very good.
Condition: 2 - functional, age-appropriate good to very good collector's condition with few visible signs of wear, dial unrestored in best condition, radium-filled Arabic numerals are perfectly preserved but slightly darkened, modern, simple grey textile underlay strap.
