Thommen / Wempe Chronometer-Werke Hamburg aviation deck watch FL 23883
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1940
This aviation deck watch is catalogued by the auction house as a Thommen/Wempe piece, with its production attributed to Germany and Switzerland around 1940. The watch features a grey lacquered metal case measuring approximately 55 mm in diameter, constructed following the Thommen design type.
It is equipped with a gold-plated movement, identified as caliber 31, which includes a central seconds mechanism with a stop function for precise hand-setting. The movement incorporates a large compensation balance paired with a Breguet hairspring. The dial is black with Arabic luminous numerals, complemented by original luminous hands. The watch is fitted with a snap-on case back bearing the serial number 1580 and a snap-on bezel, alongside a neutral winding crown.
The auction description notes the presence of a new strap and indicates general signs of age-related wear.
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
- Dial
- Black with Arabic luminous numerals
- Type
- Military & trench watch
- Maker
- Wempe Hamburg
- Movement
- Gold-plated caliber 31
- Designation
- FL 23883
- Serial number
- 1580
- Place recorded
- Germany/Switzerland
- Case dimensions
- 55 mm
- Chronometer work
- Chronometer-Werke Hamburg
- Case construction
- Thommen
- Maker / attribution
- Wempe
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a grey lacquered metal case measuring approximately 55 mm in diameter. It features a snap-on case back, which is engraved with the serial number 1580. The watch is fitted with a snap-on bezel and a neutral winding crown, situated at the 12 o'clock position. The dial is black and features luminous Arabic numerals. The hands are reported as the original luminous set.
- Visible features
- • Black dial with luminous Arabic numerals • Large crown at the 12 o'clock position • Brown leather strap with metal rivets • Grey lacquered metal case with snap-on bezel
- Movement and Mechanics
- The internal mechanism consists of a gold-plated movement, identified as caliber 31. The construction of the watch follows the Thommen type. Key technical features of the caliber include a central seconds function that incorporates a stop-seconds feature, allowing for precise synchronization during hand-setting. For regulation, the movement utilizes a large compensation balance paired with a Breguet hairspring. These components are consistent with the mechanical requirements of a deck watch intended for aviation use.
- Provenance and Condition
- The watch is identified by the reference FL 23883 and is attributed to a production period around 1940, with manufacturing sources linked to both Germany and Switzerland. Regarding its physical state, the auction description classifies the object as being in condition 3, noting general signs of use due to age.
Identification
- Reference
- FL 23883
- Serial number
- 1580
- 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: Condition report is limited to a numerical grade of 3 without detailed inspection
- Research required: The exact nature of the 'neutral' crown replacement is not specified beyond its non-original status