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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military pilot's wristwatch

Omega Ref. 6B/159 Air Ministry RAF Pilot's Watch

Partially verified

Dating to circa 1942, this Omega military pilot's wristwatch, reference 6B/159, is cased in stainless steel measuring 32 mm with fixed lug bars. According to the auction catalogue, the snap case back is engraved 'A.M over 6b/159 over 3902/42', representing British Air Ministry markings. The watch is powered by a manual-wind Calibre 30T2 SC movement with 16 jewels, bearing number 10257998. The light silvered dial features painted Arabic numerals and an outer track, complemented by blued hands and a red centre seconds hand. The timepiece is fitted to an olive-green fabric NATO-style strap.

Front view of the Omega Ref. 6B/159 pilot's watch on a green NATO strap
Front view of the Omega Ref. 6B/159 pilot's watch on a green NATO strap — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.dreweatts.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military pilot's wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Omega
Reference
6B/159
Catalogue / lot identifier
416
Source-reported date
circa 1942
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
10257998

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 Provenance

This timepiece is identified as an Omega Ref. 6B/159 wristwatch. The source dates the piece to circa 1942.

The source describes the watch as having an engraved snap case back with the markings 'A.M over 6b/159 over 3902/42', which are attributed to the British Air Ministry.

Evidence for this section
  • “OMEGA, REF. 6B/159”
  • “CIRCA 1942”
  • “engraved A.M over 6b/159 over 3902/42”

Construction and Dial

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 32 mm, which includes fixed lug bars. It is fitted with a green NATO-style strap and a pin buckle.

The dial is described as silvered, featuring painted Arabic numerals and an outer minute track. The hands are composed of blued steel for the hours and minutes, with a red sweep centre seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stainless steel case, fixed bars”
  • “Size: 32mm”
  • “Dial: Silvered”
  • “Blued steel hour and minute hands combined with a red sweep centre seconds hand.”

Mechanism

The watch utilizes an Omega Calibre 30T2 SC manual-wind movement with 16 jewels. The movement is cited as bearing the number 10257998.

The internal condition and components of the movement were not verified through open-case photography in the provided documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Cal. 30T2 SC, manual wind, 16 jewels”
  • “NO. 10257998”

Open research questions

  • What is the official issuance record for the serial number 10257998?
  • Do the case back markings correspond with confirmed 1942 Air Ministry delivery contracts for Omega 6B/159 watches?
  • How does the recorded condition of the dial and hands correlate with original factory specifications for this reference?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Omega Ref. 6B/159 Air Ministry RAF Pilot's Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference6B/159“OMEGA, REF. 6B/159”
Movement CalibreCal. 30T2 SC, manual wind, 16 jewels“Movement: Cal. 30T2 SC, manual wind, 16 jewels”
Movement Number10257998“NO. 10257998”
Case Size32mm“Size: 32mm”
Case Back EngravingA.M over 6b/159 over 3902/42“engraved A.M over 6b/159 over 3902/42”
StrapGreen Nato strap with pin buckle“Strap: Green Nato strap with pin buckle”
Signed ComponentsCase, dial, and movement“Signed: Case, dial, movement”

Visible details

  • Light silvered dial marked with stylized black Arabic numerals and an outer minute track.
  • Blued steel hour and minute hands combined with a red sweep centre seconds hand.
  • Fitted with fixed lug bars and mounted on an olive green woven NATO strap with steel hardware.
  • Omega signature printed below the 12 o'clock position.

Research qualifications

  • Case back Air Ministry markings are source-reported and not visible in the primary photograph.
  • Movement calibre and serial number are source-reported and not verified by an open case photo.

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

Consulted source

OMEGA, REF. 6B/159, A STAINLESS STEEL MILITARY AIR MINISTRY RAF PILOT'S WATCH

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 47be263ce3

Terms in this record

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