Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Monopusher Chronograph ref. 6W/16, 'RCAF' Military Issued
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- c. early 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- OC2924
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Oliver & Clarke (OC2924)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Omega Monopusher Chronograph Ref. 6W/16 - 'RCAF' Military Issued (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number OC2924), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated c. early 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke
The Omega Speedmaster is one of the most historically important, if not the most important wrist watch ever produced, full stop. Its story can be summed up with one simple acronym: NASA. Surely, this is not a watch that needs an introduction with our audience... Unfortunately, as a result, the Speedmaster casts a massive shadow over virtually all of its siblings... The resulting effect is double sided: many vintage Omegas, we feel are incredibly undervalued in the market as it exists today, with the other side of that being that hidden gems are shocking attainable. Take the piece that we haver here, a Ref. 6W/16 monopusher chronograph issued to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Dating to circa the early 1960s, this piece is excellent overall condition given its past history. It features a wonderfully-sized 38mm case in seemingly unpolished condition, with a winding crown at the 3 o'clock position, a single 'pump' pusher at 2 o'clock, and a screw-down caseback with the appropriate military engravings. Inside, the white dial is nicely preserved, showing a light patina across the matte surface with excellent text and evenly patinated markers. The correct 'syringe' handset has been replaced — very likely under contract service as is the case with many military watches throughout history. Not only is this a piece of history, but when compared to other military-issued pieces from other brands, this actually is fantastic value, and they sure don't grow on trees.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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