How was a B-Uhr built?
The movement sat in a 55 mm case, which is regarded as the standard size for a B-Uhr. Cases were made of brass or steel and finished in grey lacquer. A snap-on back closed each one. The size was not for show. These watches held big movements of the kind normally used in pocket watches, and the case had to be large enough to take them. Inside, an iron core surrounded the movement. It shielded the works from magnetism.
How did the seconds hand work?
The seconds hand sat in the centre of the dial. It was driven outside the main power flow of the movement. The watch also had a stop-balance feature. As the name suggests, it stopped the balance, so the hands stood still while the wearer set them. With the watch halted and the seconds hand in the centre, the wearer could set the time exactly.
What is a Type A dial?
Type A, also called Baumuster A, was the first dial layout used on the B-Uhr. It was produced from 1940 until January 1941, so it belongs to the earliest stage of the watch. Its dial showed the hour numerals from 1 to 11. When collectors speak of a Type A dial, they mean this first layout. Production of this first layout ended in January 1941.
Who made the original B-Uhr?
The original watches for the Luftwaffe came from a small group of firms. IWC was one of them. It made its model in small numbers, so few examples of the IWC version were ever produced. Laco also made original Beobachtungsuhr watches in the early 1940s. The firm’s full name was Lacher & Co., and it was based in Pforzheim.
Checked