1953 British Military Issued Omega Fat Arrow Model Ref: 2777-1 with Caseback Engravings 6645 101000 6B/542 1947/53 Denoting the British Royal Airforce
The Omega ‘Fat Arrow’ is a British Air Ministry (RAF) issued wristwatch. Its official title as denoted inside the case back by Omega is the 2777-1 SC. Manufactured to the precise specifications of the Air Ministry in 1952 and delivered only in 1953 for one year to the Royal Air Force. Hence they have acquired the nickname ’53 Fat Arrow’ or for the rare and original radium dials they were called the ’53 Thin Arrow’, (fuller explanation below)!
These watches were originally made to be waterproof as well as antimagnetic and were fitted with the 283 calibers shockproof movement which was finished in rose gold. They were made to be very antimagnetic so as not to affect the performance during flight operations.
The dial and hands were originally lumed with radium, but the Royal Air Force insisted Omega recall the watches, as they were not safe when stored in large quantities and when they needed to be serviced. So, Omega swapped the radium dials and hands for tritium and at this point printed a ‘fat arrow’, which replaced the usual and original ‘thin arrow’ on the dials, to indicate the safer lume had been administered.
The black military dial has white Arabic numerals, a white outer minute track with luminous inserts, and white centre sweep seconds. There were only 5900 of these watches manufactured and issued to the RAF, so good examples are becoming rarer and increasingly harder to find.
What's on Offer
Here we have a classic vintage Omega RAF military watch dating back to 1953. For being over 60 years old it has not lost its charm one bit. The Tritium "Fat Arrow" dial has seen some wear with the lume plots that have weathered slightly due to its age but it adds a historic feel to this piece.
The case back is in excellent condition with the military engravings reading perfectly and only light blemishes.
This watch also has fixed lug bars, as it should. Paired with a NATO-style strap it keeps its great military stature as one of the iconic watches manufactured not long after the Second World War.
The Omega 283 calibre inside is a reliable Swiss movement and a great workhorse. We don't know the service history of this watch, so all we can say is that it is running and keeping reasonable time but we have not checked it over any reasonable period, so we would advise a service before it is worn regularly. So this watch is offered for sale as seen, as we are selling it on behalf of a watch collector's family who has asked us to help sell an entire collection - this is reflected in the price, still, it is a very nice watch with genuine military significance. The watch however can be serviced by our watchmaker, once you have made the purchase please add a note when placing it in your basket and we will contact you to discuss this. Once serviced the watch will be given a 12-month warranty.