Omega RAF 53 Thin Arrow Wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1953
Maker / issuer
OmegaThis Omega military wristwatch, reference 2777-1 and NATO number 6B/542, was manufactured in 1953 to British Ministry of Defence (MOD) specifications. The watch features a black dial with white Arabic numerals, skeletonized hour and minute hands filled with luminescent material, and a white seconds hand.
It is characterized by its "Thin Arrow" dial, which distinguishes it from the later "Fat Arrow" variants that were modified in the 1960s with tritium-replaced dials. , retaining the radium-based luminescent material and the original narrow broad arrow symbol. The case is designed to meet strict military guidelines, including protection from magnetic fields via an inner dust cover.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1953
- Type
- Military issue wristwatch
- Maker
- Omega
- Reference
- 2777-1
- NATO number
- 6B/542
- Case feature
- Inner dust cover
- Dial marking
- Broad arrow
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Omega
- Luminescent material
- Radium
Design
- Visible features
- • Black dial with white Arabic numerals • Skeletonized hour and minute hands with luminescent material • Thin broad arrow symbol above the 6 o'clock position • Luminescent material loss at 10 o'clock marker
- Condition and Authenticity
- The condition of the watch is presented as untouched, with the dial exhibiting significant character due to historical patina. , though some loss of material is documented in the auction description, specifically at the 10 o'clock index. The status of the piece as a surviving "Thin Arrow" variant is attributed to either accidental oversight or a possible early service replacement that occurred prior to the general decree regarding radium removal. Without definitive service records, its history remains partially speculative.
- The Thin Arrow Configuration
- While many of these watches were returned to the manufacturer in the 1960s for dial replacement—where the radium was substituted for tritium and the broad arrow was repainted in a thicker style known as the "Fat Arrow"—this particular watch retains its original thin arrow. , which shows visible degradation, notably near the 10 o'clock marker. The presence of the thin arrow indicates that this specific piece did not undergo the mandated conversion process that altered the majority of the Omega military contract supply from that period.
- Design and Military Specifications
- The Omega 2777-1 was produced to meet stringent guidelines issued by the British Ministry of Defence in 1953. These specifications were comprehensive, covering the internal movement architecture and external visual elements to ensure the watch was suitable for military field use. Central to the design is the case, which was engineered to avoid highly polished surfaces and required specific magnetic protection via an integrated inner dust cover. The dial, conforming to standard military requirements, presents a black background with legible white Arabic numerals and skeletonized hands to accommodate luminescent infill for visibility in low-light conditions.
Identification
- Reference
- 2777-1
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact reason this specific example escaped the 1960s dial replacement program remains unknown
- Research required: The possibility that the current dial is an early service replacement cannot be entirely excluded