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It's an airplane clock marked Breitling Wakmann and U.S. AF Type A-10A on the face. Given to me buy a friend and I am putting it in my RV-4 (airplane) when I get the clock all sorted out and working, I think I found its problems and have it fully functional. Can any one tell me about this? I think its WW2 era.

Russ

The back of the clock.

Russ

It's got a military spec number so it likely is WWII or soon after.

Wakmann was a US based company wholly owned by Breitling that assembled watches / timers from parts shipped by Breitling - it was all to do with US import restrictions originally. This probably has a multi day power reserve - 5 to 8 days generally.

The value isn't particularly high - $250 or so, but I quite like them, and I definitely like the idea of it going into a plane rather than just sitting on a desk somewhere.

Congratulations, it's a nice piece.

Cool thanks! This clock actually was installed in my plane when the plane was built but when I bought it from my friend and the builder he insisted on keeping the clock and just gave it to me recently, I think it’s pretty cool to.

It says 8 days on the face.

Russ

Sorry - missed that.

I think you will find that all aircraft clocks are 8 day movements. It was one of the requirements. When I trained as a watchmaker the first thing you got to work on was an aircraft clock. There was almost a never ending supply after the war. These things are pretty bulletproof.

The last time I checked, there was still a phone number and address for Wakmann in NY. They might be able to identify when it was made by the serial numbers.

If it doesn't work, finding parts could be problematic. I have a Wakmann in my plane and it is still running after 40 years. There's nothing in the logbooks about it being serviced. Of course that doesn't always prove anything. I keep thinking about pulling it and servicing it, but it is too far down the list!

Good luck with it!

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Thanks, I will check out Wakmann In NY, I have it running good now, I took it to a recommended clock guy and he did a poor job that only worked for one flight, I got in there myself and found two problems and had it running and fully functional in no time. The main problem was the idler gear for the elapsed time dial, it had lost its keeper and the gear could slide up the shaft and calk sidewise and stop the hole thing, also the lever this gear is on was not engaging 100% of the time, a little tinkering with the spring for that lever and a little lube on the sliding points and it is working right again. It looks new on the inside, a work of art. Putting it back in the plane today!

Russ

If it needs work again, take it to a watchmaker. It is really a large watch.

Not to belittle the trade, but clockmakers are not necessarily skilled at working on lever escapement movements. I work on both, but I trained as a watchmaker. I learned clock repair earlier in life from my father. The required skills are different. A lot of watchmakers will also work on clocks (usually reluctantly), but most clockmakers send lever escapement movements to watchmakers.

It's a neat item. It probably looks pretty cool on the panel!

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

This is fantastic. Please send me dozens of this watches. I will pay you the double.