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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Pilot's watch

Stowa B-Uhr German military pilot's wristwatch

Partially verified

This Stowa B-Uhr pilot's watch, manufactured by Walter Storz in 1943, is a large German military timepiece designed for navigation. Housed in a 55mm gray base metal nickel case, the watch features an oversized design suitable for use by flight personnel. The dial is finished in black with luminous Arabic numerals and indices, complemented by luminous blued steel lozenge hands. The watch is powered by a rhodium-plated movement, Calibre 18, which utilizes 20 jewels and a straight-line lever escapement. The construction incorporates a cut bimetallic Guillaume balance, a self-compensating Breguet balance spring, and a swan-neck micrometer regulator, with decorative fausses cotes finishing applied to the movement. The case includes an engraved band and manufacturing details on the interior of the case back. This piece retains its long cowhide strap and is accompanied by a spare strap and a letter of authentication.

Front view of the Stowa B-Uhr pilot's watch showing the black dial, luminous Arabic numerals, and blue lozenge hands.
Front view of the Stowa B-Uhr pilot's watch showing the black dial, luminous Arabic numerals, and blue lozenge hands. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Pilot's watch
Maker / attribution
Walter Storz
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
267
Source-reported date
1943
Source-reported place
Germany
Source-reported serial
5396

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

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in a substantial three-body case measuring 55 mm in diameter and 17 mm in thickness. The exterior is finished in a gray, polished tone, featuring a lapidated bezel and concave lugs. The band of the case is engraved with the military identification code FI 23883, and there is an octagon red stamp containing the number 636 and the letters BAL visible on the band and bezel. Inside the case back, additional manufacturing details are engraved.

The black dial is configured for high visibility, utilizing luminous Arabic numerals and indexes. It features outer minute and second divisions to assist in precision timing. The hour and minute hands are constructed from blued steel and are shaped in a lozenge profile, enhanced with luminous material to ensure legibility in low-light conditions.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-body, gray, polished, lapidated bezel, concave lugs, band engraved FI 23883, case back engraved inside with manufacturing details”
  • “Black with luminous Arabic numerals and indexes, outer minute/second divisions. Luminous blued steel lozenge hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is driven by a rhodium-plated movement designated as Calibre 18. This mechanical calibre is embellished with fausses cotes decoration across its plates and bridges. It contains 20 jewels and operates using a traditional straight-line lever escapement. The regulator assembly is of the swan-neck type, allowing for precise adjustment of the timing.

For frequency regulation, the movement is equipped with a cut bimetallic Guillaume balance and a self-compensating Breguet balance spring.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 18"', rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 20 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic Guilliaume balance, self compensating Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator.”

Condition and Attribution

The auction description attributes the manufacture of this timepiece to Walter Storz in Pforzheim, Germany, dating the production to 1943. It is documented as a military pilot's wristwatch, specifically of the Flieger Beobachtungsarmbanduhr type. The object is sold with a long cowhide strap and an additional spare strap, alongside a letter of authentication issued by an expert in Germany.

Regarding the condition, the auction house grades the overall object as AA, noting the case as 3 and the movement as 3. The dial is classified as 3-01.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made in 1943 byWalter Storz, Pforzheim, Germany.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 3-01 Good”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical significance of the BAL stamp on the case band?
  • Are there extant factory records from 1943 that confirm the production run of serial 5396?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Stowa B-Uhr German military pilot's wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWalter Storz“Made in 1943 byWalter Storz”
Case MaterialBase metal nickel“base metalnickel”
Movement TypeCalibre 18“Cal. 18”
Serial Number5396“No. 5396”
Case Diameter55 mm“Diam. 55 mm”
Military MarkingFI 23883“band engraved FI 23883”
Jewel Count20“20 jewels”

Visible details

  • Large 55mm case diameter
  • Engraved military code FI 23883 on the case band
  • Luminous blued steel hands with lozenge shape
  • Prominent oversized onion-style winding crown

Research qualifications

  • The auction description recommends a full overhaul
  • The source includes an expert letter of authentication which remains unverified by this catalogue

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

Consulted source

Stowa B-Uhr, No. 5396.Made in 1943 byWalter Storz, Pforzheim, Germany. Fine and very rare, large, center seconds, base metalnickel German military pilot's wristwatch (Flieger Beobachtungsarmbanduhr) with a long cowhide strap. Accompanied by a spare strap and a letter of Authentication by an expert inGermany.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 8458e98d85

Terms in this record

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

Other pilot's watch records