RAF Aircraft Clock - Le Coutre Chronograph - C1950

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RAF Aircraft Clock - Le Coutre Chronograph - 1950's This RAF "Time of Trip" Chronograph aircraft clock has a Swiss LeCoultre, 13 Jewel, 8 Day movement. The movement is marked, "LeCoultre & Co. Thirteen 13 Jewels. 8 Days". It is a 6A/3157 made exclusively by Smiths for the RAF during the 1950's. The Le Coultre movement is clean and complete, please see photographs. The 6A/3157 was widely used within the RAF in the 50's and 60's, aircraft known to have this type of clock fitted at some are, Hunter, Swift, Vulcan and Shackleton, probably many others types also. This clock is for sale as complete original and running, but requiring attention in three specific areas. 1) The clock winds and runs, but on a full wind, it runs for only 2 to 3 days. 2) Poor time keeping - It loses about 1 hour every 24 hours. 3) The time of trip sub dial functions, but the sub dial hands do not zero. All the control buttons are present and original. All the case screws are also present and original. The 3 inch dial is excellent. The dial is marked "Time of Trip, 8 Days, Smiths, Swiss Made". The main dial incorporates a separate 12 hour "Time Of Trip" subsidiary dial. The hands, five including the centre sweep seconds hand, are all present, original and in good condition. There is a 2 colour disc (green/red) display above the 6 o'clock position which functions correctly as it should. The glass is clear and free of scratches, cracks or chips. As mentioned, the clock does not keep good time, it loses about 1 hour every 24 hours. Poor timekeeping requires attention The brass case is excellent as is the cast aliminium front bezel. There are 3 operating knobs. The left hand knob is the winder, rotated left for winding, and pulled out to set the time on the main hands. On a full wind the movement runs for only 2 to 3 days. It runs continuously without stopping but it should run for 8 days. This is a fault that requires attention. The right hand knob is the chronograph button. Press once to activate the chronograph, the centre seconds hand will start and the TOT hands will record. Press again and the centre seconds hand and the TOT hands will stop. Press again and the centre seconds hand will return to zero. The TOT hands should also return to zero (12 o' Clock on the sub dial) but they remain stationary. This is a fault that requires attention. The small centre knob, termed the "arrester" knob functions as it should. When the chronograph is activated the small display disc above the 6 on the main dial will show GREEN. If the arrester knob is turned to the right, the disc will change to show RED, the sweep seconds hand will continue to rotate, but the TOT hands will stop recording. When the arrester knob is turned to the left, the disc will change from RED to GREEN, and the TOT hands will restart.Attached to the back of the case by three brass nuts is a hand made brass stand which is not original to the clock. This stand is robust and has been carefully crafted to a high standard, and fits the clock comfortably; the stand and the clock are easily separated by hand. Please see photographs of the stand. I will forward with the clock, complete operating instructions for the RAF 6A/8821 clock which are the same as the Op Ins for this clock, the 6A/3157, I think the dial on the 6A/8821 was white whereas the 6A/3157 has a black dial. The Op Ins are from RAF Air Publication AP 1275A and dated 1964. Buyer to pay for postage please which will be £6 by Special Delivery within the UK. I will ship world wide. read more

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