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South African Air Force Lemania 1872 Arrow Dial
Description:
The Lemania 1872 was introduced to the South African Air Force in 1971, a total of 630 SAAF 1872s were issued until 1976. This example was rediscovered lying in the sand on a beach in the Cape, found and put aside for many years.
The Arrow/Crows Foot marking is unique to the SAAF in this model and quite mysterious as to why it was used in South Africa (The crows foot refers to military property in the United Kingdom).
This model is the latest execution of the 630 SAAF issued Lemania 1872s.
This rarity has a clear and visible AF number stamped into the caseback. The watch was very likely used by an SAAF pilot- An amazing historic significance which is not present in any modern watches and making it a great piece to have. This watch may have been in active service during the Angolan Border war (23 year war) in South-West Africa.
Dial:
Not many of these Lemanias escaped the Air Force in such great condition, if they did at all. Visible in the pictures are a few small marks on the dial. Aside from that, the dial is in surprisingly good condition despite the harsh environment it was subject to.
The light colour of the bezel can be attributed to the Ultra Violet which would have been very present in the cockpit of a Mirage III Fighter Jet underneath the African sun, a factor in the aging of many vintage watch dials and bezels.
Details:
Circa: 1975
Thickness: 13mm
Width: 40.5mm
Length: 47.5mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Case Material: Steel