British Military CWC W-10 17 Jewel Mechanical Hack Watch Mint Condition Serviced "Waterproofed" + 6 Month Warranty! 

 
Hello and welcome to my auction .. These watches are all from the estate of a retired watchmaker who purchased them at a Government auction in the early 1980's ... Sold off after the Falklands war as the MOD converted to quartz watches, they have been in storage since at least 1982/3. They have seen a lot less use than the average vintage military watch .. fresh to the market, last worn (by a soldier) 34+ years ago.
 
All have had a full professional service and have been waterproofed, this is usually very hard to achieve on a vintage watch using only original parts. More expensive than my usual CWC's although make for a great daily wearer you do not have to worry about. They keep great time and will surely save money on future service bills.

Superb condition original dials & hands, the luminous material has developed into a nice tropical yellow/orange with no lume rot or flaking, although the lume has long since lost its glow. 

(Watch pictured 4th has been re-lumed with vintage looking yellow/orange Super-luminova & will glow in the dark +£65 for this watch)

This style of watch replaced the Smith's W10 & was the last general purpose mechanical watch ever issued to the military in the UK!

As you would expect with a military watch they were designed purely for function - Very robust with a thick steel case, a good quality accurate Swiss jewelled movement with hacking function, easy to read dial, fixed strap bars & extra thick tough plexi.
 
"Tonneau" shaped case watches were issued to all 3 branches of the M.O.D Army Navy & RAF from 1973-1980.
There were originally 3 makers of this watch style - Hamilton CWC & a M.O.D own-brand. CWC proved to be the best choice & ever since have been the main supplier of watches to the M.O.D.
 
The watches I have for sale were all Army issue indicated by the W10 code on the case-back, they are near identical to the Navy (code 0552) & RAF (code 6BB) watches. 
 
If there is a specific watch you want from the individually pictured watches, or if you want a specific issue year - Years usually available 1976 1977 (1978 sold out) 1979 & 1980 - just send me the time set on the watch or serial number / year to see if still available
 
The auction is for one watch per bid + service/warranty receipt "no strap included" please see below about strap choices. 
  
CWC W10 Watch Details- 
Movement- Swiss ETA 2750 (21,600 BPH) mechanical wind 17-Jewel with Hack feature. Hacking means when the crown is pulled to the time setting position the second hand stops allowing you to set the time to the exact second or synchronize it with other watches.
Dial- Fully original and is marked CWC = (Cabot Watch Company) Circled "T" indicates the luminous material is Tritium, The arrow (Pheon) = Crown property, Swiss made = movement made in Switzerland.
Hands- Original military Sword/Gladiator type.
Crown- Original stainless steel, with split stem.
Case- Stainless steel front loader, size excluding crown is 35 mm. including crown 37.5 mm, from top-bottom 41 mm & the lug/strap size 18.5 mm. 
Lens- Made from a very tough thick plastic composite, scratches can be easily polished out with fine Wet & Dry paper + a polish like Brasso, saving you having to replace the lens,  
Case-back markings explained -  W10 indicates Army issue.  6645 Nato code for Timepiece.  99 country code for UK.  523-8290 = General Purpose wristwatch.  /|\ Arrow = M.O.D property, and the last set of numbers (e.g.) 1234 / 76 are the serial number & year of issue.
 
Strap's- Military watches have solid fixed bars welded into place, making them very secure & not easily lost. 
Straps needed are slightly different to the usual spring-bar watch strap - There are 3 main types "NATO" "ZULU" or "OPEN ENDED" & unlike a spring-bar strap they are all very easy to fit or remove.
There is a huge choice on eBay in various materials colours length etc. Width needed = 18 or 19 mm.
A 18 mm admiralty grey NATO strap would have originally been issued by the MOD with the watch.
 
I do have some watch straps for sale- 
19mm desert-tan with black hardware & heat-welded seams
18mm original M.O.D issue Admiralty grey NATO straps
18mm original (vintage NOS) M.O.D issue black leather open-ended 2 piece straps
 
Please beware since leaving service many watches will have been repaired incorrectly as vintage original military parts are hard to obtain. Also MOD watchmakers had a habit of servicing watches using any compatible parts from various makers. I have a large amount of original CWC parts so stand by the authenticity of my watches down to every part being 100% milspec CWC originals (bar any replacement crystals).
 
Service & Warranty -
The watches have just been fully serviced - Work carried out by John Sr. of Obsoletewatchandclockparts.com who is generally regarded as the best military watch horologist in the UK. 
 
Each watch had a full strip down with every component part individually inspected cleaned & oiled, machine timed, multi position adjusted / regulated, waterproofed - water-tested and then bench tested for a full week.
This is not a quick service where the movement is cleaned & oiled without being disassembled (swish & dunk). Even the jewel pivots have been individually cleaned & only the latest types of oils & greases specifically matched to the movement caliber & needs of various parts of the movement have been used.
The cases have been ultrasonically cleaned but not polished, some cases have been lapped - this is a mild process where a scotch pad is drawn along the original case grain finish to remove embedded grime & light surface scratches. 
Only correct NOS milspec replacement parts have been used where needed.
The crystals have either been polished or replaced with good quality Sturnkruez lenses & the original matt lens-retention ring retained or replaced if needed. 
 
All keep very good time & start as they should with the minimum of winding & the springs have a long power reserve.
 
Due to just being serviced these watches require a "run-in for a few weeks whilst being worn" to all-position distribute the oils. In this run-in time wind the watch until fully wound & let the watch fully wind down each time while wearing the watch. If the watch sticks just give it a gentle tap/shake.

After this break-in wind the watch normally as described below for the most accurate timekeeping.
 
********Each watch supplied with a 6 month warranty!********
 
You have a full 6 month warranty from the day you receive your watch, it covers everything apart from parts failure, water-resistance & user damage.
 
If it's your first mechanical watch be careful not to over wind the watch, with the crown pushed in wind the crown clockwise (as viewed from the crown side) until you feel a firm resistance, over-winding is not covered by the warranty!
 
The watches are accurate time keepers but as with all vintage mechanical watches do not expect the same "to the second" accuracy of quartz. 
 
The ETA 2750 is a close to COSC specification movement, (+ - 15 seconds per 24hrs) due to temperature & your activity the watch will vary slightly either fast/slow around this range in its daily timekeeping.
 
In this modern world or quartz the art of regulating a mechanical watch by the way you leave it overnight has mostly been forgotten - leaving your watch face up, face down, on either side or on end causes it to run at slightly different levels of slow or fast, with a little practice you can have your watch set for the correct time in the morning, this has the added benefit of saving wear to the time setting components!
 
 
Water Test-
These watches have all undergone a water pressure test.
The original MOD specification for these watches was Water Resistant Test to BS 3637 Part 2 (around 30ft).
These 4 watches have passed a pressure test to 30 meters! 
Please note they are not dive watches & do not have screw-down crowns, so be careful not to knock the crown if submerged.  
Due to so many possible end user problems (as standard with most waterproofing services on non-screw down watches) the waterproofing is not covered by the warranty.
 
Available Upgrade Re-lume with Super-Luminova
If you like the look of vintage but want your watch to perform like a modern watch I can offer the following upgrade-
 
The problem with vintage watches retaining their glow of the dial indices & hands is the compound used (Tritium) only stays active for 10-12 years, replacement new dials are no longer made & new Tritium to re-apply to the dial/hands is impossible to buy.
Most modern watches now use Luminova instead of Tritium but it is usually bright white & if applied to a vintage watch would spoil the look.
My watch-maker has managed to source some Tritec tinted yellow/orange Super-Luminova which is a near exact match to the aged Tritium at present on the dial/hands. Also available green tinted C5 Superlumivova which is one of the brightest available & a near identical match to the lume colour most often used by the MOD when they re-lumed watches. The old inactive Tritium will be carefully removed from the dial & hands & the new tinted SuperLuminova applied allowing you to once again use the watch at night.
 
Picture of re-lumed watch using yellow/orange Super-luminova (my watchmaker is extremely neat) -
For re-luming dial/hands with SuperLuminova £65
You can either add the payment at checkout in "additional charges" & leave me a note about your choice of Super-luminova colour or contact me for a new invoice.
Re-luming will add 1-2 weeks to the delivery time, a watch of the same condition already at my watchmakers will be selected so there are no additional postage costs.
 
Maintenance tips-
It is best to wind your watch gently slowly & when off the wrist, between thumb & forefinger.
Wind it fully each day preferably at the same time. Accuracy is best when full - half wound.
Let the watch fully wind down once a month.
Try to wind the watch weekly if not being used.
When setting time always do it clockwise.
Remember to push the crown fully back in after time setting.
Wipe down with fresh water (with crown pushed in) after use in salt water or chemicals, soaps etc.
Clean around the crown occasionally to maintain a good seal.
Avoid exposure to strong magnets.
Do not touch the movement.
Recommended service interval is 5-7 years. 

Trade's & Buying-
I buy & collect military watches, so if you would like to trade in your old military watch for one of mine or just want to sell your watch please get in touch with a brief description / picture or two. Anything vintage/retro (WW2-1990's) military issued in any condition considered, also interested in just watch parts/straps etc & military inspired pilots or divers watches. 

Payment-
I accept Paypal. Bank transfer sent in £'s & fees paid. Postal orders. Cheque only from a UK bank.  
 
If you want the watch posting to an address other than your registered eBay address or to a PO box payment must be by a method other than Paypal!
 
Postage-
I offer Free UK postage & EU/WW reduced by the same amount as free UK postage. 
 
UK - FREE Special Delivery, next day signed for & insured
EU & Europe - Reduced postage Only £5.50 1st class Royal-mail Airmail signed for + online tracking (where available) & insured
World-wide (zone 1 & 2) - Reduced postage Only £6.50 1st class Royal-mail Airmail signed for + online tracking & insured
 
Most European countries delivery will take 3-6 working days. World wide 5-9 working days. World wide (zone-2) Australia NZ Far-East & remote places 7-12 working days.
 
The package will be declared as "Used Watch" & "No Strap" which should stop it getting caught up at customs who often check what watch straps are made from due to CITES import regulations.
It will be declared at full value otherwise you will not be covered for postal claims. Import duties are your responsibility, please check your countries import laws before bidding if you are unsure about import fees. UK to EU there is no fee.
 
When your watch is posted I will update your ebay invoice with the tracking number, here is where to check for further details https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item  
 
I have never had a problem with lost items, but if a item does go missing in the postal system I will do my very best to help. How postal insurance claims work in the UK is that purchase cost "needs" to be proved, as so to get the full amount of compensation it is always "you" the buyer who makes the claim. How I can help is by getting the forms from the post office & filling in my "seller"portion of the form & then send you the claim form complete with a copy of the original postal receipt. You then fill in the "buyer" part of the form & submit it to Royalmail.com along with a copy of your ebay receipt.
 
Due to well known postal problems/frauds "I DO NOT POST TO" CHINA (HK is OK), ITALY, NIGERIA, ROMANIA or RUSSIA although if you have good recent feedback for buying watches please contact me & im sure we can work something out!  
 
Feedback-
Please leave me feedback when you receive the watch, if you have any reason for not leaving Good & 5 star's please contact me & we will work out any problems you might have!
 
Be aware of the stated delivery times to your location from the UK .. also "working days" means not including weekends or holidays. You will see I post the same or next day, & the postage cost to you was a lot lower than the actual cost for a secure postal method. Please do not leave me low star ratings if this is correct.
 
I leave feedback as soon as payment is received. 
 
Thank's for taking time to look at my auction. Please check out my other auctions for more military watches + I will be listing more types of military watches all in "superb condition" as and when they return from service, you can click on the link below my username to add me to your "follow this seller" list for email updates.
 

Regards
Ken.