Kes Crockett | Watch Department
Following on from this recent blog about Military wrist watches, we turn our attention to an important German “pilot’s watch” of the same genre, the B-Uhr (B-Uhren plural).
Our upcoming Luxury Watch Sale on October 18th features one such example and we will now take a brief look at the history and features of these fascinating timepieces.
Manufactured for the bombing campaigns of WWII, there are two types of B-Uhr watch; Baumaster A and Baumaster B.
Baumaster A versions were produced from 1940 to 1941 and utilise a traditional style dial numbered 1 to 11 at the hour markers, triangle with two dots at twelve.
Baumaster B versions were produced form 1941 onwards and instead use minute markers from 5 to 55 around the perimeter of the dial. Again a triangle used as the twelve marker. Lot 139 is an example of the former.
Manufactured for the bombing campaigns of WWII, there are two types of B-Uhr watch; Baumaster A and Baumaster B. Baumaster A versions were produced from 1940 to 1941 and utilise a traditional style dial numbered 1 to 11 at the hour markers, triangle with two dots at twelve.
Baumaster B versions were produced form 1941 onwards and instead use minute markers from 5 to 55 around the perimeter of the dial. Again a triangle used as the twelve marker. Lot 139 is an example of the former.
Just as is the case with British Military watches, precision, robustness and legibility were paramount and strict design criteria were to be followed.
These included:
- Large “Onion” shaped crown
- 55mm snap back Case in brass or steel
- Triangle marker at twelve
- Luminous paint (226Ra) for the dial markers and hands
- FL 23883 case markings
- Hacking seconds movement
- Balance spring with a Breguet overcoil
- Certified chronometer
- Extra long strap
B-Uhren watches were produced by five watch houses over the years; four German and one Swiss.
Wempe – Said to be limited to just 60 examples, the rarest of all the B-Uhr watches, made from 1940-1945 and powered by a Caliber Revue 31 movement.
Stowa – Made from 1940-1945, the Stowa factory was destroyed by the British during the bombing of Pforzheim. 2812 watches produced using Caliber Unitas 2812.
A. Lange & Söhne – 6904 examples produced from 1940-1945 with the manufacturer name changed to “nhk” in 1944 to avoid the factories becoming a target of enemy bombing. Calibre 48.1.
Laco – Durowe D5 pocket watch movement utilised in approximately 6500 watches from 1940-1945.
IWC – The single Swiss maker of B-Uhren watches, and for a single year – 1940. Caliber 52 SC, the beating heart of 1000 watches, and also the only iteration to feature an inner anti-magnetic plate.
With an estimate of £5000-8000 Lot 139 – IWC navigator’s B-uhr watch head represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a horological artefact from one of histories darkest periods.
