1943 Omega HS8 Fleet Air Arm Military Issued WW2 Royal Navy Pilot’s Watch

This lovely historical piece from the 1940’s has survived in fantastic original Collectors’ condition. One of the very best examples of this rare watch we have ever seen

The military markings HS^8 confirm that this piece was issued to a pilot of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, probably flying off aircraft carriers in the Pacific or escorting Atlantic Convoys.

These watches differed to their other similar cousins issued to the mainstream RAF (6B/159) as they used a nickle plated brass case with a solid stainless steel case back. The Fleet Air Arm found that brass cases resisted corrosion better than cheaper later versions issued to the RAF. another feature of these earlier cases was the Spring Bar Lugs unlike the Fixed Bar Lugs of the RAF versions. This allows for a greater a roof normal straps to be paired with the watch.

The legendary Omega 30T2 caliber 16 Jewel movement was serviced and performs exactly as it should.

The 33 mm case is delightfully domed more so than it’s RAF cousin and wears much bigger due to the case and dial design.

A great vintage pilot’s watch from WW2 that are increasing in value all the time.

 Similar in design to their RAF counterparts (6B/159) the HS^8 is considered a rarer model as fewer were issued. The Fleet Air Arm stores number, HS^8 with the British Military Broadarrow and an issue number, in this case 3965 are engraved on the caseback. The HS standing for ‘Hydrographic Survey’.

The dial, originally white, with an outer railroad minute track and Arabic numerals has aged beautifully and patinated to a creamy vintage yellow, giving it a sense of its life and history. The originally  blued steel hands are correct to the watch. The caseback fits tightly and crisply and is correctly stamped 2292 on the inside.

In summary, this beautiful Omega watch was Issued to a Royal Navy Pilot in 1943 probably flying off aircraft carriers, this is a beautiful war-time Omega with a great history. Classic original condition with beautifully creamy-yellow patina. The numerals are still good, strong and black and very legible (not always the case in these).

The steel caseback is stamped with the correct Omega reference, 2292 as is still very good and tight fitting.

The lugs are the correct shorter version with spring bars (the HS^8s were ordered by the Royal Navy with Spring Bars unlike the fixed bars of the RAF) which means it can be worn with any strap. We have paired it with a new old stock unused 1940’s real skin strap that our old Watchmaker had in a drawer, perfect!

What a lovely vintage War-time piece this is with great history. Very robust and wearable watch.