Flieger Uhre B Pilot Watch Stainless Steel Case Brown Leather Strap Swiss 6498

  

Flieger watches trace their origins to the 1930s, developed for German military aviators. These early watches were known as Beobachtungsuhren (B-Uhren), which translates to "observation watches". They were essential for navigation, helping pilots determine their geographical position and flight duration.

During World War II, the German Ministry of Aviation defined strict specifications for B-Uhren. These watches had large 55mm cases, highly legible dials, and were equipped with hacking seconds functions to synchronize with other timekeeping devices. The dials were designed for maximum readability, featuring large white Arabic nummodernerals on a black background and flame-blued, luminous-treated sword hands. There were two main types of B-Uhren. Type A (Baumuster A): Manufactured from 1940 to January 1941, these watches had a classic dial with numerals 1 to 11 and a triangle marker at the 12 o'clock position.

Type B (Baumuster B): Introduced in January 1941, these watches featured large minute numerals from 5 to 55 on the outer ring and smaller hour numerals on an inner ring. Only a few companies were contracted to produce these watches, including Laco, Stowa, Wempe, A. Lange & Söhne, and the Swiss company IWC. These manufacturers adhered to the strict specifications set by the German Ministry of Aviation.

After the war, the design and functionality of Flieger watches continued to influence modern pilot watches. Today, many watch enthusiasts appreciate Flieger watches for their historical significance and timeless design. The Unitas 6498 is a well-regarded hand-wound watch movement, originally designed for pocket watches but now commonly used in wristwatches. Here are some key specifics. Vibrations Per Hour (VPH): 18,800. Power Reserve: Approximately 46 hours (some variations claim up to 53 hours). Functions: Central hours, central minutes, small running seconds subdial at 6:00. This movement is known for its robustness and reliability, making it a popular choice among watchmakers.

The Unitas 6498 movement has been used by a variety of watch brands, both in its original form and in modified versions. Some notable brands that have utilized this movement include.

Panerai: Known for their large, robust watches, Panerai has used the Unitas 6498 in several models, particularly in their Luminor series. Stowa: This German brand has incorporated the 6498 in their pilot and marine watches.

Weiss Watch Company: An American brand that uses the 6498 in their Standard Issue Field Watch. Glycine: Known for their military-style watches, Glycine has also used the 6498 in some of their models. Ball Watch Company: They have used modified versions of the 6498 in some of their Trainmaster models.