dinomartino1
Well-Known Member
RAF issue
RAF issue
RAAF issue
RAAF issue
RAAF issue
Info from various sources on the net
The Mk 11 was introduced into the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the British Fleet Air Arm in November 1949, and into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in August 1950. The RAF bought watches from both the INTERNATIONAL WATCHCOMPANY (IWC) and JAEGER LECOULTRE(JLC). But after having bought about 2,000 from JLC in 1949 the RAF decided to buy only IWC from 1949 to 1953, when the last RAF orders were placed, totalling at least 7,400 IWC watches. The RAAF initially bought its Mk 11s from JLC; 420 in 1950 and 600 in 1953. It then changed to IWC in 1957, buying another 600.
Little is known about the number of watches shipped to Air Forces of other Commonwealth countries like the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and South African Air Force (SAAF).
These watches were made to the very strict 6B/346 specifications, and as such, are of an incredibly high quality and are one of the most expensive military watches ever commissioned by a govt.
The JLC was equipped with the JLC Cal. 488/SBr, a chronometer-grade movement with few contemporary peers. The IWC was fitted with the renowned Caliber 89, widely regarded as one of the most robust three- handed movements ever built.
The first generation of Cal. 89s lacked shock-protection, a deficiency that would eventually make the JLC Mk. 11 obsolete. After realizing the cost to repair damaged watches was greater than the cost to include shock-protection from the start, all subsequent productions included Incabloc.
In the case of the RAAF, some coordination difficulties occurred when the first watches were shipped to the sqns because the relevant instrument manual that gave instructions for use and handling was not yet amended. The RAAF depot that was responsible decided to give informal advance information to the squadrons to prevent damage caused by over-eager curiosity, thus giving an interesting insight regarding the language in the RAAF.
“By way of advance information I am sending you a copy of letter No. 29868 [an abridged version of the drafted amendment to the Instrument Manual] which was sent to Areas yesterday on the issue and care of new Mk. XI Wrist Watches G6B/346.
These watches are already on the way to you people and would no doubt arrive before the instructions from the Area, so it was considered best if you received the guff in time to prevent pilots grabbing the new watches or the instrument or other characters from taking the backs off to see how many jewels are incorporated in the movement.
Armed with the attached official letter you will be able to direct the watches into the correct channels and ensure that they are properly cared for until the official area screed arrives.”
The RAAF did not request a broad arrow on the dial, and the initial JLC watches were marked only on the back with the broad arrow, as government property.
As of September 1955 the RAAF policy for the issue of navigation watches was as follows;
1. Item G6B/346 Watch Wrist Mk 11 LeCoultre is to be issued to, Aircraft Captains, First Pilots and Navigators
2. Item G6B/159 Watch Navigation Omega is to be issued to all other aircrew.
An RAAF JLC sold for £9,500 in 2017
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