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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face military pocket watch

Omega Mark V Military Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This military open face pocket watch by Omega, designated Mark V, is dated by the auction source to circa 1918. The timepiece features a black dial marked '30 HOUR NON-LUMINOUS MARK V' with white Arabic numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. According to the auctioneer, the 52mm diameter case features a polished hinged cuvette and a case back engraved with an 'A' over a broad arrow marking. The source also reports that it houses a signed matt nickel lever mechanical movement numbered 5201307.

Front view of the Omega Mark V open face pocket watch showing the black dial and subsidiary seconds
Front view of the Omega Mark V open face pocket watch showing the black dial and subsidiary seconds — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.dreweatts.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Omega
Reference
Mark V
Catalogue / lot identifier
146
Source-reported date
circa 1918
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
6075715

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Historical Context

This timepiece is identified as an Omega Mark V military open-face pocket watch, dated to circa 1918 by the auctioneer. The watch is associated with a class of military timepieces historically issued to First World War flyers.

The source suggests these watches were intended for mounting on the cockpits of British aircraft, such as the DH9, DH4, or Sopwith Pup. This information is presented as historical context for the type, rather than verified individual provenance for this specific serial number.

Evidence for this section
  • “Omega, Mark V, an unusual military open face pocket watch”
  • “circa 1918”
  • “These watches were issued to the flyers of the First World War and were apparently mounted on the cockpit of British DH9, DH4 or Sopwith Pups.”

Dial and Visual Observations

The black dial features white Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial. It is marked with the text '30 HOUR NON-LUMINOUS MARK V' below the 12 o'clock position and 'B.B.6917' above the subsidiary seconds dial.

Physical observations of the dial include a small chip or loss of material located beside the 8 o'clock numeral.

Evidence for this section
  • “black dial, white Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial”
  • “Dial marked '30 HOUR NON-LUMINOUS MARK V' below 12 o'clock and 'B.B.6917' above the subsidiary seconds dial”
  • “dial with chip beside 8”

Technical Specifications and Marking

The watch has a case diameter of 52mm and features a polished hinged cuvette. The case back is described as bearing an 'A' over a broad arrow marking.

The timepiece contains a signed matt nickel lever mechanical movement numbered 5201307. The auction records note that the movement was functioning at the time of cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “diameter 52mm”
  • “polished hinged cuvette, case back with A over broad arrow”
  • “matt nickel lever mechanical movement, no.5201307”
  • “Movement functioning at the time of cataloguing”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the B.B.6917 marking on the dial?
  • Does the 'A' over broad arrow marking represent a specific military branch or contract?
  • Is movement number 5201307 verified within Omega's historical production records for Mark V timepieces?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Omega Mark V Military Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Number6075715“no.6075715”
Movement Number5201307“movement, no.5201307”
Case Diameter52mm“diameter 52mm”
Case Back MarkingA over broad arrow“case back with A over broad arrow”

Visible details

  • Black dial with bold white Arabic numerals and outer track featuring diamond markers at cardinal positions
  • Dial marked '30 HOUR NON-LUMINOUS MARK V' below 12 o'clock and 'B.B.6917' above the subsidiary seconds dial
  • Fluted onion-style crown topped with a circular suspension bow
  • Visible small chip or loss on the dial edge beside the 8 o'clock numeral

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back markings are described in the source text but not visible in the provided frontal photograph
  • Source notes regarding mounting on DH9, DH4, or Sopwith Pup cockpits represent general type historical context rather than verified individual provenance

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Omega, Mark V, an unusual military open face pocket watch with black dial, no Omega, Mark V, an

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 9a41444219

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other open-face military pocket watch records