Original early, very rare original Argentan Union Horlogère cockpit clock / pilot's watch of the Imperial Air Force of the First World War, belonging to the legendary Jasta flying aces Baron von Richthofen and Ernst Udet.
This unique piece of military watch history could have been used in a fighter plane or a zeppelin; this can no longer be determined. However, the missing "FLZ" signature on the bottom makes its use in a zeppelin more likely.
There are two compelling reasons why, in our humble expert opinion, it is 99% certain that this is an authentic example from the Imperial Air Force of the First World War and that this unique piece of (military) watch history was used in a biplane fighter or zeppelin during the First World War:
1. The typical rotated dial for the cockpits of early fighter aircraft, described by Konrad Knirim and shown in several pictures.
2. As shown in the photos below, so-called "car watches" were always signed and marked "Automobile" on the dial and were delivered with mineral glass.
This exact Doxa model, with a comparable movement and dial design, is shown by the "Pope of Military Watch History", Konrad Knirim, on page 85 of his world-famous standard work "Military Timepieces".
Most of these few hundred early cockpit clocks in military aviation history famously crashed and went down with their pilots or burned – a super rare piece of military watch history!!
The pilot's/aircraft clock offered here is not only the first true pilot's watch in military history, but also the rarest and least produced version. An extremely rare offering, the kind that typically only comes onto the market every few years.
This wonderfully authentic piece , with its impressive 60mm case diameter (excluding the crown!!), is signed "Union Horlogére" on the dial and was made in Switzerland, where all warring parties ordered their service watches before the First World War.
The exceptionally elaborate and robust Brevet movement No. 33236 for its time – note the early fine adjustment – is running and functioning (accuracy not tested).
The dial is unrestored and in good condition with four very fine hairline cracks extending from the "7" to the signature (see photos). All Arabic numerals are complete, and there are no chips or repairs . It features blued steel hands and an indirect seconds hand, as was later common on service watches of the Wehrmacht.
It runs and functions, accuracy not tested, all covers close flush and precisely, dial shows the hairline cracks visible in the photos.
A unique opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of military watch history!
EZ: 2-3 good collector's condition, normal, noticeable signs of age or use and the mentioned dial damage, winding mechanism works perfectly, crystal in excellent condition, possibly original
