242
Meylan
Type A-7
An oversized, rare and historically important asymmetrical chrome plated pilots' chronograph wristwatch with black dial, single button pusher and military markings, made for the US Army
- Estimate
- CHF20,000 - 40,000€21,600 - 43,200$25,800 - 51,700
CHF25,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Meylan
- Year
- Circa 1940
- Movement No
- 238
- Case No
- 132'459
- Model Name
- Type A-7
- Material
- Chrome plated
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 17""7, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel
- Dimensions
- 51mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case and movement signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In 1934 the US Army Air Corps predecessor of the US Army Air Forces (1941-1947), and later on renamed US Air Force (1947 – present days) issued a request for a timepiece describing in detail the design and functions under “Specification No. 27748.”
Amongst these specifications the watch was to have an offset dial, large crown and chronograph pusher easy to operate whilst wearing a glove, large Arabic numerals, 30 minutes counter and continuous sub seconds dial.
Only three watch companies produced these Type A-7 watches: Meylan, Longines and Gallet. It is believed that the original procurement of 1934 was followed up in the late 1930s-early 40s. The Type A-7 was declared obsolete in 1943.
The Type A-7 “Avigation” was designed for aircraft navigation, “Aerial Navigation”, from which derives the conjunction “Avigation”.
For the collector of military timepieces the present Meylan Type A-7 is a true grail. Considering their “tool watch” status most of these watches were worn in adrenaline filled action situations, the present lot is in superb condition, the movement looks as it has just left the Meylan workshops. The full military marking on the caseback and “U.S. Army” engraved on the movement make this ultra-rare military watch even more desirable for the collector of military timepieces.
Amongst these specifications the watch was to have an offset dial, large crown and chronograph pusher easy to operate whilst wearing a glove, large Arabic numerals, 30 minutes counter and continuous sub seconds dial.
Only three watch companies produced these Type A-7 watches: Meylan, Longines and Gallet. It is believed that the original procurement of 1934 was followed up in the late 1930s-early 40s. The Type A-7 was declared obsolete in 1943.
The Type A-7 “Avigation” was designed for aircraft navigation, “Aerial Navigation”, from which derives the conjunction “Avigation”.
For the collector of military timepieces the present Meylan Type A-7 is a true grail. Considering their “tool watch” status most of these watches were worn in adrenaline filled action situations, the present lot is in superb condition, the movement looks as it has just left the Meylan workshops. The full military marking on the caseback and “U.S. Army” engraved on the movement make this ultra-rare military watch even more desirable for the collector of military timepieces.