WW2 Admiralty Pattern 301 Wristwatch

A fine example of a Royal Navy oversized wristwatch, a pattern which first appeared during WW1 - Those earlier watches were marked "Poole". By WW2 the AP 301 was being manufactured by the Helvetia watch company.

At first glance, this wristwatch appears to be a converted pocket watch but that is not correct. This AP 301 was always a wrist-worn instrument using a savonette movement where the dial layout has the winder at 3 and the sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock, leaving the case hinge at 9. Originally they were supplied with extra long pigskin leather straps allowing them to be worn around the sleeve of a tunic or even a thick naval duffle coat. In over 30 years I have only ever seen six of these rare watches, which collectors now believe were chosen for use by submarine skippers: It is a fact that watches were used to time enemy ships, viewing them through the periscope while simultaneously noting their distance and length across the scope's graticule scale. A target's speed could also be measured by applying time to the equation, before firing torpedos. Placing these wristwatches around the arm was more convenient than clutching a pocket watch, and by making the watch large it allowed an onlooker to additionally view the time component.

Whether the AP 301 and their partner pocket watch the AP 300 were solely used by submariners is not known, but their rarity makes them legendary military timepieces. Offered in superb cosmetic condition, this watch shows light signs of service wear together with a perfect porcelain dial. It is in working order and to keep it that way, this watch will receive a full service - Our service does not alter the watch's appearance or materially affect the patina but it does remove the detritus of decades and freshly lubricates the movement.

Code: 51534