Introduction
During and after WW2 the RAF issued watches to their pilots on leather straps. These were made from pig skin as this was the only material that was available for that purpose at the time.
Shown here is a Spitfire pilot wearing a Weems 6B/159 watch on a 6B/169 strap.
Photo Credit IWM
The above manual from July 1966 indicates the 1956 Omega white dial 6B/159 was issued on a 6B/169 strap sewn to the watch.
British military watches from WW2 have fixed bars, and as issued, pigskin straps were sewn on. But, what if a replacement strap was needed in the field?
The Army issued a one piece webbing strap, the AF0210 strap, and changing these straps was very easy.
The correct issued replacement strap for a pilot watch during and after WW2 was 2 part leather strap, military stock number 6B/169. The unique design of the open ended clip made fitting a replacement strap was also very easy.
Shown below is a New Old Stock, (NOS), 6B/169 strap, with clip on ends at the fixed bar of the watch. The strap is 16mm wide.
A few used examples exist, including this example of a 6B/159 watch, repurposed as an HS8 watch, on a clip on 6B/169 strap. Shown together with a WWW watch, repurposed as an ATP watch on a reproduction 6B/169 strap, this version being 18mm wide.
Photo Credit MWR forum user : Ian W
For collectors who like to rotate their straps onto a variety of watches, the clip on end is a key feature of this 2 part strap.
The 6B/169 reproduction strap comes in 16mm and 18mm widths.
