pzjgr
EOD - bombs and bullets
I am going to drop something a little different down, some pics of my replica Steinhart Luftwaffe B-Uhr, with B-Model face.
German Luftwaffe navigators/observers were issued a watch prior to each mission, known as the Beobachtungs Uhr, or Observers Watch. Unlike pilot chronographs, which were permanently issued to each pilot, and he kept it all during his service (and I am guessing when he left..) the B-Uhr was considered a piece of equipment, and was issued prior to each mission, and turned in afterwards.
The original are HUGE, 55mm in diameter, and used a pocket watch movement inside. They were meant to be worn over the flight suit and jacket, and had to be very visible to the wearer, who used them to navigate (time course legs, etc).
There were two styles, the "A" Dial, and "B" dial. The "A's" were the early style, very simple, basically a regular watch face. The "B's" were later, and very distinctive with a full inner seconds chapter ring.
There were 5 makers during war-time...LACO, Wempe, A. Lange und Sohn, STOWA, and IWC (Swiss)...IWC, STOWA, and LACO still offer B-Uhr homages, with LACO's offering an exact replica. LACO's Erbstucken model is very pricey though.
Steinhart also offers a very close to exact replica, a bit more reasonable at around $1,000. After much research, I went with the Steinhart.
It is 47mm in diameter, very large for a wristwatch, but still 8mm smaller than the original. I think the LACO is only 45mm. The Steinhart uses a Swiss ETA movement. It has a bead blasted titanium case (the one thing I didn't like, I prefer a steel case like the original).
It has the Luftwaffe Prperty number engraved in the side like the original.
It has the manufacturing data on the back of the case (although, on the original, this was inside the case back) which looks cool. It has a slightly domed sapphire crystal. A sterile face like the originals.
Fire blued hands like the original. They are filled with a modern Superluminova glow in the dark paint as opposed to radium like the original...this stuff works amazing, will glow all night.
Unfortunately it comes with a really poorly designed "distressed" band, which looks like crap to me, so I replaced it quickly with a German made aftermarket leather band.
I found this barely worn example on eBay for $600, and rolled the dice. It was truly barely worn, and was pretty much flawless, so I was happy with the purchase.
You can get homages to these watches in both the A and B style faces...all in all, I really like mine, and it does attract some comments and looks, it is very different.
Here is a link to some B-Uhr history...
https://monochrome-watches.com/the-history-of-the-pilot-watch-part-five-b-uhr/
Luft Pilot Chronographs are a whole nother ballgame...would love to get one one day, but they tend to be $3k and up for good ones. Here is a link on them...
https://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-17/ti-527356/pi-3206171/
German Luftwaffe navigators/observers were issued a watch prior to each mission, known as the Beobachtungs Uhr, or Observers Watch. Unlike pilot chronographs, which were permanently issued to each pilot, and he kept it all during his service (and I am guessing when he left..) the B-Uhr was considered a piece of equipment, and was issued prior to each mission, and turned in afterwards.
The original are HUGE, 55mm in diameter, and used a pocket watch movement inside. They were meant to be worn over the flight suit and jacket, and had to be very visible to the wearer, who used them to navigate (time course legs, etc).
There were two styles, the "A" Dial, and "B" dial. The "A's" were the early style, very simple, basically a regular watch face. The "B's" were later, and very distinctive with a full inner seconds chapter ring.
There were 5 makers during war-time...LACO, Wempe, A. Lange und Sohn, STOWA, and IWC (Swiss)...IWC, STOWA, and LACO still offer B-Uhr homages, with LACO's offering an exact replica. LACO's Erbstucken model is very pricey though.
Steinhart also offers a very close to exact replica, a bit more reasonable at around $1,000. After much research, I went with the Steinhart.
It is 47mm in diameter, very large for a wristwatch, but still 8mm smaller than the original. I think the LACO is only 45mm. The Steinhart uses a Swiss ETA movement. It has a bead blasted titanium case (the one thing I didn't like, I prefer a steel case like the original).
It has the Luftwaffe Prperty number engraved in the side like the original.
It has the manufacturing data on the back of the case (although, on the original, this was inside the case back) which looks cool. It has a slightly domed sapphire crystal. A sterile face like the originals.
Fire blued hands like the original. They are filled with a modern Superluminova glow in the dark paint as opposed to radium like the original...this stuff works amazing, will glow all night.
Unfortunately it comes with a really poorly designed "distressed" band, which looks like crap to me, so I replaced it quickly with a German made aftermarket leather band.
I found this barely worn example on eBay for $600, and rolled the dice. It was truly barely worn, and was pretty much flawless, so I was happy with the purchase.
You can get homages to these watches in both the A and B style faces...all in all, I really like mine, and it does attract some comments and looks, it is very different.
Here is a link to some B-Uhr history...
https://monochrome-watches.com/the-history-of-the-pilot-watch-part-five-b-uhr/
Luft Pilot Chronographs are a whole nother ballgame...would love to get one one day, but they tend to be $3k and up for good ones. Here is a link on them...
https://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-17/ti-527356/pi-3206171/
