CWC Aircraft Stop Watch

[hagwalther]

Hi Guys,

I picked this stop-watch up a few years ago from a NZ Army disposal sale where I found it in a rummage box of bits and pieces and have just got around to looking at it. Seems it was used in a variety of aircraft in the 1970's.

Although the maker name is CWC for (I think) Cabot Watch Company in the UK the same design is also found marked HEUER. The bottom of the watch is also marked 'MADE IN SWITZERLAND' in very small letters. Above CWC is a 'T' in a circle and just above the hour window 'T<25mc' which I have no idea what this relates to.

I am under the impression that the watch came with a mounting plate to affix to an aeroplane dashboard - does anyone have a spare mounting plate?

Marks to the side are NSN numbers:

6B/6645-99-520-9604

Broad Arrow

064/80

It does work but runs slow - any information would be of great interest.

Regards,

Chris

[hagwalther]

Looking around I found an example of the watch albeit with different markings and a two grove cut start stop pusher here:

http://www.aeroresource.co.uk/operat...s-final-prowl/

If you click on the image of the Jaquar cockpit you will see the watch fixed on the left hand side.

Regards,

Chris

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by hagwalther

The bottom of the watch is also marked 'MADE IN SWITZERLAND' in very small letters. Above CWC is a 'T' in a circle and just above the hour window 'T<25mc' which I have no idea what this relates to.

The 'T' and 'T<25mc' relates to the luminescent substance used on the numerals, hour markers and hands so that they can be seen in the dark.

SWISS T 25 (T SWISS MADE)

[mike_vee]

Although CWC was a British company (established 1972) they utilised Swiss made cases etc for some of their products , an example was for one of their dive watches.

"CWC sourced the rather curvy, beveled 44mm steel case that was first made by MRP S.A., and used by many brands in the early '80s, from Heuer to Chronosport, among many others."

So this could explain the 'MADE IN SWITZERLAND' marking on the stopwatch case , and that there was a similar HEUER made one.

[mike_vee]

Found a photo on-line with this comment :

"In 1980, CWC didn’t just replace the milsub - they also replaced the Monte Carlo stopwatch for the RAF; the CWC aircraft stopwatch was used in the Harrier as well as training aircraft and flight simulators."

Followed by another comment from a CWC collector :

"This is something you don't see everyday!
..... this amazing and rare CWC stopwatch "

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by hagwalther

Marks to the side are NSN numbers:

6B/6645-99-520-9604

Broad Arrow

064/80

Am bored so did a bit of digging.

6B - Air Ministry (6BB RAF)

6645 - Federal Supply Class: Time Measuring Instruments

99 - NATO code for UK

520-9604 - National Item Identification Number: Timer,Stop.

64/80 - serial No.64 , issued in 1980.

Great bit of research Mike, hats off to you! Regards Mark

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by MarkGD

Great bit of research Mike, hats off to you! Regards Mark

I may know nothing about military badges but I like solving puzzles and "Google" is my friend !

[engr9266]

Mike, I think your job just put me to sleep...........
Only joking, great piece of research.

Jerry

[hagwalther]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for all your efforts here - as previously stated - a great piece of research.

I especially liked the '...rare...' comment too. The Heuer examples seem to be out there but I could not find a CWC example on the old inter-web. Would love to get the mounting plate for it so if anyone every hears of one please let me know.

Tritium seems to have done its dash over time but this remains a really solid piece of kit in the hand and still in working order. Might be worth having it serviced too if it is a scarce example.

Many Thanks Mike!

Chris

[mike_vee]

This was an interesting and enjoyable bit of research , the "rare" comment was made by 'cwc_addict' who runs a "CWC Military Watch Fan Page" so seemed like a reliable source.

Tritium was later replaced by Luminova (a safe non-radioactive material ) and newer watches etc had an L in a circle instead of the T on your stop watch.

Why not contact CWC directly to see if they have any information/advice about servicing etc ?

https://www.cwcwatch.com/

[hagwalther]

Thanks Mike,

Yes, I will get on to CWC and also 'cwc-addict' and will report back here when I have some more info.

Its the darn backing plate I would like to get my hands on to complete the package!

Regards,

Chris