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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Aviation deck watch

Thommen / Wempe Chronometer-Werke Hamburg aviation deck watch FL 23883

Partially verified

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.

Front view of the Thommen Wempe aviation deck watch showing the black dial and luminous hands.
Front view of the Thommen Wempe aviation deck watch showing the black dial and luminous hands. — Henry's Auktionshaus (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Wristwatch · Aviation deck watch
Maker / attribution
Wempe
Reference
FL 23883
Catalogue / lot identifier
3362
Source-reported date
circa 1940
Source-reported place
Germany/Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1580

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 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.

Evidence for this section
  • “grey lacquered metal case”
  • “snap on case back with no. 1580”
  • “black dial with Arabic luminous numerals”
  • “orig. Leuchtzeiger”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “gold-plated movement calibre 31”
  • “construction type: Thommen”
  • “sweep seconds with second stop at hand-setting”
  • “big compensation-balance with Breguet-hairspring”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “aviation deck watch FL 23883”
  • “Germany/Switzerland around 1940”
  • “signs of use due to age”
  • “condition 3”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical context for the 'Thommen' construction type in Wempe aviation watches?
  • Does the serial number 1580 correspond to specific Luftwaffe records for FL 23883 navigation watches?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Thommen / Wempe Chronometer-Werke Hamburg aviation deck watch FL 23883
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWempe Hamburg“manufacturer: Wempe Hamburg”
MovementGold-plated caliber 31“gold-plated movement calibre 31”
Case constructionThommen“construction type: Thommen”
Case dimensions55 mm“diameter approx. 55 mm”
Serial number1580“snap on case back with no. 1580”
DialBlack with Arabic luminous numerals“black dial with Arabic luminous numerals”
DesignationFL 23883“aviation deck watch FL 23883”
Chronometer workChronometer-Werke Hamburg“THOMMEN / WEMPE Chronometer-Werke Hamburg”

Visible details

  • 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

Research qualifications

  • Condition report is limited to a numerical grade of 3 without detailed inspection
  • The exact nature of the 'neutral' crown replacement is not specified beyond its non-original status

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

Consulted source

THOMMEN / WEMPE aviation deck watch

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record b60f7e43ec

Terms in this record

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