Longines. A stainless steel manual wind wristwatch issued to the Czech Military

Aviator, Ref: 3582, Invoiced to Omnipol, Prague, on December 17th 1949

Model: Aviator
Reference: 3582
Date: Invoiced to Omnipol, Prague, on December 17th 1949
Movement: Jewelled Cal.15.68Z manual wind, No.7744130
Dial: Black, luminous Arabic numeral hour markers, silvered outer minute track with 5 minute markers, subsidiary seconds at 6, polished Mercedes style hands with luminous inserts
Case: Brushed and polished cushion form, snap on back, bi-directional knurled bezel with luminous arrow pointer, No.23684/131
Strap/Bracelet: Brown NATO leather
Buckle/Clasp: Steel buckle
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 42mm
Accompaniments: Extract from the Archives

Czechoslovak Air Force pilots were issued with oversized Longines watches from circa 1938. These watches were designed to be worn on a leather strap on the outside of the uniform. By 1939 Longines were supplying these watches with their most modern calibre 15.68Z movement. Importantly, this movement was antimagnetic - a valuable attribute in the cockpit of an aeroplane. It is believed that only about 3000 Longines wristwatches were supplied to the Czechoslovak Air Force.