[Janne]

I find it strange that those observarion pieces had the same FL number as the 55mm B-uhren.
In the requirements the watch should be 55mm and have a certain dial design ( 2 different designs)
This observation watch was 65mm, a different dial.

In the litterature, are there pictures of more than one piece, and is the FL numbers visibl on more thanone?

 

[Janne]

The case seems to be brushed on that photo?

BTW: Solid caseback. We need pace for the engraving

I do not think we should have he same text in the square box as the 55mm B-uhren, not unless there is photographic proof those pieces had it. I do not see them having it, as only a very small handful were made. No serial production as such!

Is there not a reference these watches were used during the development of the Pennemunde programme?

 

[Janne]

This is a document of the B-uhren, Wempe manufacture/assembly:

A thought: The photo of the "W-SS" watch, do we know if it is a 65mm, or a rebuild (new dial) 55mm?
The best way (only way, in fact) to check that, is to take a movement photo of the 4 different B-uhrs (not Laco, it is not the D5 movement) and compare the movements, and the size proportion movement - case.

 

[Janne]

Reading thru Dr. Knirim's book:

• In the opening part of the Waffen SS section, it was mentioned that -- though the watches were for SS use, they were designed for Luftwaffe operations. This maybe the reason for retaining the "Fl." designation (just my guess

• 
  
  If the text is true, and the watches were designed for Luftwaffe, then they were 55mm B-uhrs, with a different dial.
  
  It does not make sense to have the same FL number on different items. That is not how the Armed Forces work. It would take me to long time to expain, but all Armies have the same system, which is very accurate and foolproof, in these matters.

 

[Janne]

The Gerat Nr reflects the movement number. Or am I wrong?

 

[Janne]

Yes, I was wrong!


I know this is OT, but the 560A1, could they have been upgraded A-dials? Originaly A- dials, retrofitted with the B-dial?

If yo have a pic,the casenumber (and to some extent the movement number) would date it.

Nerd as I am, I find this piece of history very interesting!

 

[Janne]

Good thinking.
As far as I understand, the A dial was difficult to read in darkness and during the adverse conditions, so they devised the B-dial.

 

[Janne]

That was just an OT discussion.

I think the caseback depends on which dial/watch we will have as an example.

 

[Janne]

Some forumers might think the WUS-SA is too close to history.
I feel that the dial should be marked.

 

[Janne]

My ideas for the design designation or "Bauart":
WUS-LE
WUS-SE
WUS-LA (limitierte auflage)
WUS-SA/WUS-S (Sonderausgabe)

I figure that whatever we choose to put on the caseback will also be used on the dial, so we should have this discussion in this thread.

Agree.

I like all, except the WUS- SA.
I like particullary WUS-SE and WUS-S

WUS-SE = WUS Spezial Edition (German spelling OK? No?)

We already did a WUS Limited Edition. In 2008.

 

[Janne]

Sounds good to me.

The B-uhr cases were Nickel plated, not painted. Maybe an amateurish restorer painted a severely oxydised/damaged case?

The surface treatment Laco does (particel blasting) is amost a 100% true visual copy of the original finish

I think I would prefer the case side to be without the FL number. On the back is enough!

 

[Janne]

Absolutely. The visual is as close as you can get. In the unworn areas on my -44 watch, it looks virtually the same.

 

[Janne]

The D5 is made by a Lacher owned company (Durowe), so I think we can say it is in-house...

 

[Janne]

Just a sample case back I was fooling around with:

Not bad!

Instead of the plain ETA - ETA SA

01/50

There must be a way to distinguish the modified movement. Maybe 2824.2 G? (Geschlachtet) ;-)

I would prefer that the German language onlywas used on the caseback, not a mix..

Sonderausgabe instead of Special Edition

What was the research center called where the V rockets were developed? It would be cool to have some connection there.

Pennemunde range? Artillery range?

 

[Janne]

Agree with all of you. Messe-Baterie, Glau etc is better linking than Peenemuende (I know, Pennemunde is in Italy :-d)

That piece has certainly been butchered. W-SS scraped off, crown not correct. But, wotrh every Cent.

 

[Janne]

Re: Name Calling

Sysifos?

Unless we call it WUA-Laco SonderAusfuhrung

 

[Janne]

The original M-B B-Uhr didn't use the D5; it had a Lange & Soehne Cal. 48.1 movement
.

I referred to the original Laco B-uhren. They had a D5 inhouse movement. Not a movement that was made by an outside company.

 

[Janne]

About the use: I have a little bit experience of directing Artillery fire and I just can not find a use for this watch, taking pictures through a scope and needing an exact time reference. I have been racking my memory the few old text books I have left, searching the internet. Nothing.

Anybody out there with Artillery experience?

 

[Janne]

Sisyfos was a greek guy, that "trangressed". His punishment was to push a boulder up a steep hill while serving time in Hades. If he managed to reach the summit, he would return to the living. He never did, as he each time slipped just before the summit, and the boulder rolled down the hill.

Your explanation about why it may be needed in Artillery - I do not know. By timing the shot the only thing you achieve is the average speed of the projectile. The rest is done by observers. You can not follow the projectile, so no need for the binoculars. At distance, it is not possible to see theimpact with any accurancy. That is the reason for airborne or stationary observers.
But the rocket and jet engine bit - sounds more likely.
As all the documents were "liberated" by both the US and the Soviets (not sure if UK?) I am sure the truth is hidden somewhere.

It does not matter what it was used for. It is a rare timepiece worthy our attention!

 

[Janne]

That one is a nice try.

N.B. : TRY !! :-d
The Dial is good, but the rest - bah!