SwAf watches

[meijlinder]

This really isn't my area of expertise but being Swedish (only one on IWL?) I got to investigating some Swedish military issue watches.

Thought I'd share a bit.

In the beginning of the 70's the Swedish Air Force commissioned a chronograph for use by the Swedish fighter pilots. Namely the ones flying the AJ 37 Viggen. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_37_Viggen)

"Saab AJ 37 Viggen 23" by Piergiuliano Chesi. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F..._Viggen_23.jpg


The watch was a Lemania 817. Nicknamed Lemania Viggen. It uses the Lemania 1872, has lumed numerals on the bezel. These are engraved on the case back with the three crowns (sign for the Swedish military) and an M-number (material number for the swedish military). It is thought about 400 of these were made and the watch was actually withdrawn from service since the bezel had a tendency to fall off during flight.

(pics from http://scubawatch.org/lemania.html)

The Lemania 817 was also made in different versions. Branded Chronograph Swiss or Tissot Navigator.

It has become a very sought after piece for collectors of military watches and have gone for upwards of 4000 euros as of late.

After the Lemania the Air Force switched to Seiko quartz from the 80's

(pic from Klocksnack user SjööSandström)

This model is the Seiko 7123-823B (should also have m-number on back)

Also a Citizen quartz have been used, but know very little about it

(pics from Klocksnack user krämbulle)