B-Uhren Observation watches

[eubank]

Hi Gents, one other thing i have a bit of an interest in and like to collect a few of, is watches, ....but all mine are modern ones though!

As I understand it, the B-Uhren were designed from 1935 for observers/pilots and there were five manufacturers of these (four were German) A.Lange & Sohn, Laco (Lacher & Co/Durowe), Wempe and Walter Storz /Stowa ....only Lange and Laco used German movements...and IWC of Switzerland also made these. As you would expect IWC also made these for the Allies.
They are big watches though, 55mm, for a large hand wound movement....

Unlikely I know, but the question is has anyone seen any pictures of these actually worn or used by fallschirmjager ? If not, and on the watch theme, does anyone have any watch in their collection issued to a fallschirmjager, or taken from one as war booty? Any other related watch comments or thoughts would be appreciated....Anyway for background information and to add some interest here are some pictures of the B-Uhr...

[lgdsjmi]

I love these watches!

[eubank]

JM, they are a classic design, and influence modern design today of course...you may already know but Laco do still make a few versions that seem quite true to their earlier designs. Different case sizes too.

[eubank]

P.s the top picture is a Lange & Söhne, the other is a Laco ( not mine sadly )

[waldo h]

This one is from John Hodgin's book of N-Africa Fj's.


Most Glider pilots would have been issued these watches so that might provide some photo's.

[eubank]

Thanks Waldo, yes i have read that too in the great book, a tremendous watch !

[BrunoH]

Hi,

Unfortunately, all these watches and compasses are for flying people (pilots, observers, etc.). Maybe too much fragile for jumping. And when observers / pilots returned to the ground, the watches were reconsigned...

IMHO, better for an observer / pilot display

[Willi Z.]

I agree Bruno. And while necessary for flight operations, they are not needed for ground operations. They are cool though. Superb collection!

[eubank]

Hi,

Unfortunately, all these watches and compasses are for flying people (pilots, observers, etc.). Maybe too much fragile for jumping. And when observers / pilots returned to the ground, the watches were reconsigned...

IMHO, better for an observer / pilot display

Thanks Bruno ! Wonderful to see.

[Dete]

Hi, here with the rare box.

[eubank]

Wow, very nice Dete ! thanks for showing

[Dete]

Hello,
just one more to show which i just received. I think this Laco Baumuster A watch is very rare and hard to find.

best regards
Detlev

[eubank]

Very nice , Detlev !

[Jeff V]

Wow, fabulous watches!

[merdock]

I just have the one taken in France from a downed recon plane pilot. Lange & Sonne vet says it was working when he took it glass damage was from crash but it stopped over the years and now needs repairing.early swan neck regulator with later dial made when they moved from the 1st pattern dial to the second but used up the earlier quality movements before they went over to the later lower quality movements if any body wants a full reverse shot I'll take another asa I seem to have lost it.
Mark