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We believe this to be a rare watch,

 

This Sterling Silver Gruen Watch is Hallmarked London 1912 and has George Stockwell marks as the case maker, the movement is a 15 Jewel Lever Watch Specialities Co, a Gruen subsidiary company that bought movements from other Swiss manufacturers under this banner.

 

It's the engraving on the back which is really interesting. The engraving simply says B Squadron 1913.

AI describes B Squadron thus

B Squadron Royal Flying Corps (RFC) wasn't a standard, numbered squadron but rather referred to the Air Battalion's No. 1 Company, located at Farnborough, focusing on airships (dirigibles) under Captain Edward Maitland before the full RFC structure. Farnborough was the heart of early British military aviation, housing the Royal Aircraft Factory, where RFC aircraft like the B.E.2 were designed and built, making it a crucial training and development hub, not just for B Squadron but for the entire nascent force.

Key Details about B Squadron/No. 1 Company at Farnborough:

Formation: Part of the pre-RFC Air Battalion (formed 1912), which split into Military and Naval Wings, with Farnborough as a key HQ.

Role: No. 1 Company (the "B Squadron") specialized in lighter-than-air craft (airships and balloons).

Leadership: Captain Edward Maitland, a pioneer in airship technology, commanded this unit.

Aircraft: Used early airships, distinct from the aeroplane units at Larkhill (No. 2 Company).

Farnborough's Broader Role:

Royal Aircraft Factory (RAF): The facility grew from the Army Balloon Factory, designing and producing vital aircraft like the B.E.2 series for the RFC.

Training: Farnborough was central to training, alongside the Central Flying School.

Evolution: It became the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and a global center for aerospace research, hosting the famous Farnborough Airshow later on.

In essence, "B Squadron" at Farnborough signifies the pioneering airship operations and development at the very cradle of British military aviation before the RFC fully organized into numbered squadrons that flew fighter and bomber aircraft in World War I.

Making this a pretty rare piece of Aviation history.

The case is in very good condition, the numerals on the dial have faded in some places completely however it's still perfectly readable.

 

Cosmetically overall this is good condition for its age and running well

Rare 1912 Gruen Royal Flying Corp Sterling Silver Trench Watch

£1,350.00Price
Quantity
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