Tissot. An oversized military issue manual wind Observers watch


Date: Circa 1940Movement: Gilt 3/4 plate Swiss lever, indirect centre seconds, originally made to be a chronograph and modified for military use, No.191784Dial: Black, luminous Arabic numerals, outer minute markers, blued steel dagger hands with luminous inserts, centre secondsCase: Large round, snap on back, back engraved 'R.L.M Nav B-Uhr 1440', fixed bars, No.FL23883Signed: MovementSize: 55mm Accompaniments: Custom made Herr R. Fieroh wooden box
|This watch was acquired by Gunner Geoffrey Storey, formerly of the 156 (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, when stationed in Plon, Schleswig-Holstein in 1946. The 156 was disbanded in December 1945 but Geoff Storey remained in the army of occupation and was assigned to the HQ of VIII Corps located in the Ploner Schloss.During his period in Plon, Gunner Storey was billeted with the family of 'tischler meister' (master carpenter) Herr Rudolf Fieroh, whose workshop was at Gansemarkt 12, Plon. Herr Fieroh used his skills to create numerous souvenirs for sale to the occupying forces, including cigarette boxes adorned with marquetry regimental crests. He custom-made the accompanying box to fit this watch so that it could be used as a travelling clock, his stamp is on the base.