B-uhr World War II Luftwaffe Pilot/Aviator Watch

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
Model: B-uhr World War II Pilot's watch
Reference Number: FL23883
Movement: Manual winding
Condition: Good
Gender: Men’s
Time Period: 1940s
Box: No
Papers: No

THE CALIBER

Caliber: n/a
Jewels: 22

THE CASE

Case Material: Stainless steel with an anti-magnetic iron core
Case Diameter: 55mm 
Thickness: 20mm 
Waterproof: n/a
Bezel Material: Fixed steel
Glass: Plexiglass
Caseback:  Solid
Dial: Black, Type B
Dial Numerals: Arabic numeral white painted indices hour indices around the inner five-minute division around the outer rim. White painted seconds stick division around the outer perimeter. Arrow-shaped marker at 12 o'clock  

THE BRACELET / STRAP

Bracelet Material: Original oversized brown leather 
Buckle: Tang
Buckle Material: Steel

THE FUNCTIONS

Hours, minutes, center seconds

FURTHER READING

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

During World War II, the Luftwaffe commissioned five manufacturers, including A. Lange & Söhne, to produce these watches. These timepieces were designed to meet strict specifications for legibility, precision, and reliability. The B-Uhren were essential for navigation and timing during missions, featuring a design that prioritized functionality in extreme conditions.

DESIGN & FEATURES

• Dial Type: Type B, which was introduced later during the war. The Type B dial is characterized by an outer minute track and an inner hour circle, enhancing readability and precision in timing.
• Reference Number: FL23883
• Movement: Manual winding, signed A. Lange & Söhne, Cal. 48.1. The movement features a hacking mechanism, allowing pilots to synchronize their watches precisely.
• Jewels: 17 jewels, which reduce friction and wear on the movement's moving parts.
• Case Diameter: 55mm without the crown, 61mm with the crown
• Thickness: 20mm
• Lug Width: 27mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel with an anti-magnetic iron core to protect the movement from magnetic fields encountered during flights.
• Dial: Original black with luminous Arabic numerals. The use of radium paint ensured visibility in low-light conditions.
• Hands: Luminous blued steel, confirming that both the hands and dial were designed to be luminescent for readability in the dark.
• Crown: Oversized onion crown, designed for operation while wearing gloves.
• Strap: Originally fitted with an extra-long leather strap to be worn over flight suits, often replaced in modern collections with a replica strap for practicality.
  

COLLECTIBILITY

Today, the A. Lange & Söhne B-uhr FL23883 is highly sought after by collectors due to its historical significance and robust construction. Its design, functionality, and the role it played during the war make it a valuable addition to any collection. Watches that maintain their original parts and functionality are particularly prized.

SUMMARY

The A. Lange & Söhne B-uhr FL23883 remains a marvel of clean design and military functionality. Its Type B dial, anti-magnetic properties, and oversized crown are testaments to the meticulous engineering required to meet the demands of wartime aviation. This watch is not just a timepiece but a piece of history, reflecting the technological advancements and the tumultuous period of its creation​.

Authentication

At Twain Time, trust and authenticity define our collection. With a rich history dedicated to the luxury watch industry, our Swiss-trained watchmakers meticulously authenticate each piece. This assurance is backed by our 1-year Twain Time Warranty, ensuring a seamless and reliable experience with every pre-owned watch.

Our experts not only authenticate but also preserve the craftsmanship of each luxury watch with meticulous care, utilizing factory-sourced parts for repairs. This commitment to excellence solidifies our reputation for quality and reliability. Our dedication and heritage have earned trust through curated timeless experiences, while our rigorous vetting process guarantees confidence in our ever-evolving collection.

Additionally, we offer a unique complimentary evaluation service, affirming our commitment to your confidence. Whether you choose to ship or bring a watch purchased elsewhere to our boutique, we thoroughly authenticate it, reinstating trust in your timepiece.

Discover our blog, team stories, and collector testimonials, unveiling a trusted partnership built on authenticity, expertise, and the seamless care embedded in our reputation at Twain Time.

Ordering & Shipping

At Twain Time, our ordering and shipping experience is designed with your ease in mind.

When you place an order, anticipate a prompt email confirmation including an estimated delivery timeline. Whether it's domestic or global, our swift and insured shipping ensures your item reaches you securely. Rest assured, if an item happens to be out of stock, there's no charge, and we'll promptly inform you.

Before each watch embarks on its journey, it undergoes a meticulous inspection, guaranteeing its accuracy and flawless functionality upon arrival at your doorstep.

We partner with renowned carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL for global shipping. Domestic orders benefit from complimentary insured express shipping, while international charges may vary. While delivery times are approximations, domestic orders typically arrive within 1-2 days, whereas international shipments take approximately 7 days, accounting for customs clearance.

To safeguard your purchase, all shipments require an adult's signature and are fully insured. Please note, we dispatch to the address registered with your credit card company.

For international orders, customers are responsible for customs charges, import/export duties, applicable fees, or taxes. Additionally, New York clients are accountable for NY sales taxes on taxable orders shipped to NY State addresses. Should you seek further details, our extensive ordering & shipping policy offers comprehensive insights.

Once your order is en route, expect a tracking number for real-time monitoring of your delivery.

Any queries or feedback? Feel free to reach out to us at info@twaintime.com. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Warranties & Repairs

At Twain Time, trust is our timepiece's best friend. Our commitment to quality spans every pre-owned watch and mechanical marvel in our collection. Should the unexpected occur, count on us to swiftly make things right. We treasure our clients' satisfaction and trust above all else—this ethos echoes through every member of our team.

Each pre-owned watch undergoes meticulous, non-invasive mechanical scrutiny and servicing if needed. This ensures they not only meet but exceed our stringent standards for accuracy and functionality.

Rest easy knowing that unless otherwise noted, our pre-owned watches come with a robust warranty—either full or limited—spanning twelve months. However, this doesn't cover damages from misuse or accidents. Given their age, some watches may require gentler treatment than when they were brand new.

For those watches serviced by their original manufacturers, they bear the manufacturer's guarantee, surpassing our standard warranty. To delve deeper into warranties & repairs, check out our dedicated section. And if there's any doubt, drop us a line at info@twaintime.com for absolute clarity. At Twain Time, trust isn't just a promise—it's our guiding principle.

Returns & Exchanges

At Twain Time, ensuring your satisfaction drives our return and exchange policy. You have a 5-day window for hassle-free returns from receipt, provided the product is unworn, undamaged, and retains its original tag. We offer exchanges or full refunds via the original payment method for qualifying returns.

Exceptions include personalized, worn, or damaged items, as well as missing accessories. Exchanges allow exploration of our diverse pre-owned and luxury watch selection. Return items should be unworn with all original packaging intact, and jewelry returns must maintain their original condition.

Special order items and certain criteria are exempt from the standard return policy. Our comprehensive returns and exchanges policy, available for full information, applies to in-stock items and excludes consigned, special, or custom orders. Contact us for special order exchange details.

In case of difficulty meeting return conditions, contact us for discussion and authorization before initiating the process.

Notify your Twain Time Client Advisor within 3 days of receipt to request authorization for returns. International returns are accepted with buyers responsible for return shipping, customs fees, and taxes.

For queries or guidance, reach out to us at +1 (212) 256-0303 or info@twaintime.com. We're here to assist promptly.