A Handsome Military Issued Newmark 6BB/9243306 Chronograph Also Known as One of the "Fab Four" 1980
British military watches have always been considered some of the most notable and have remained very collectable throughout the decades. At the height of the expansion of the British Empire and wars, some of the most distinguished timepieces were issued to the RAF.
In the early 70s, the Ministry of Defence’s DEF-STAN (Defence Standardization) was altered to produce more commercially viable pieces for the military. The result of this was the creation of watches over a decade by four brands –Hamilton, CWC, Newmark and Precista - The Fab Four.
These watches followed the specifications of its predecessor, the Lemania Mono-pusher (but now with two pushers), and remained housed in the 39mm asymmetric stainless-steel case and consisted of a black dial with luminous hands and markers. The movement was changed to the Valjoux 7733.
What's on Offer
This piece is in amazing condition and remains fully functional 44 years after its issue date, running extremely well as it was very recently serviced by renowned military watchmaker John Senior, so rest assured you will not be disappointed with the condition and functionality of this watch!
The classic rich black dial seen with most military watches, features white numerals, two purpose-built sub-counters, and lumed hour markers identified as Tritium, not Radium by the circled "T" on the dial. A chronograph watch was a vital tool for pilots and aviators and served many purposes.
The screw-down case back features original military engravings, including "6BB," indicating the watch was issued to the British Royal Airforce. The "9243306" marking aligns with the military specifications set by the MoD, and the lower markings reveal the issue number followed by the production year, 1980.
The Newmark Fab Four Chronograph is one of the rarest finds in the military watch world, as it was produced for only one year, making it increasingly difficult to come across, especially in such great condition.
The Fab Four collection, much like the coveted Dirty Dozen watches, is highly collectable. Given the rarity of this piece, finding a complete collection is uncommon. If this is the missing piece in your collection, don’t hesitate—it’s a true gem for military collectors, and opportunities like this don’t come along often!