Here we have a scarce circa 1941 WW2 RAF Issue chronograph watch by Pierce. It has the Air Ministry signing with the store code 6E/359. It has the serial number 361 to the rear, with the date code for 1941. It has the 34mm chrome plated case with the stainless steel, snap-on back. The silver dial has the clear black signing for the minute/seconds track, with stylised black arabic numerals. There is the 60 minute counter at 12 O’clock with the constant sub-seconds at 6 o’clock. It is signed ‘Pierce’, ‘Fab Suisse’, ‘Chronograph’. The outside of the dial has the red Telemetre scale, with the red snail track to the centre. The sword style hands are original, with the thermally blued finish. The central second is neat and clear. To the right is the chunky crown with the coin edge finish. The well-sized rectangular pusher for the chronograph is located below. The rear of the case is engraved with the Air Ministry initials with the 6E/357 code and serial number 369 with the year code for 1941. The inside of the caseback has service etchings from the past. The movement is a Pierce calibre 134 marked with the ‘R’ under the balance. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within 10 seconds a day. 
 
The snail style Telemeter to the dial is aesthetically pleasing as well as serving a purpose, which will have been particularly useful during special air operations. The telemeter allows distance to be measured, based on the time difference between seeing something and hearing the sound it produces. 
 
The stores code corresponds to a MK I Chronograph Wirstwatch. The Air Ministry 6E code is for ‘Miscellaneous Intruments, Accessories and Unit Servicing Spares.
 
Very few chronograph watches were supplied to the RAF during WW2. Limited numbers were supplied (mostly by Pierce) and were restricted for use on special air operations, where the chronograph function was vital for timing events. 
 
The Air Ministry 6E/357 is an uncommon, issued watch. The serial numbers seen range up to 400. Production levels are not known, but the lack of examples on the private market also indicates a low production volume. 
 
Another example of a Pierce 6E/359 with the two pusher layout was owned by Konrad Knirim, an expert on military issued watched, who is the author of the famous British Military Timepieces book. 
 
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good vintage condition. The matte silver finish has darkened with age. The satin finish is bright. The signing is good and clear with no losses. 
 
Hands:
The hands are original and are of sword style. They are thermally blued which shines brightly. The central second is original and the hands to the sub-dials appear original.
 
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement which is in good condition. It fits the profile perfectly.
 
Crown and pusher:
The crown appears original and is well sized with the coin edge surround. The pusher is good and original with light marking.
 
Case:
The case is chrome plated and is in good original condition. It has some loss of the chrome on the side of the bezel where a knife is placed to pop it open.
 
Case back:
The case back is formed of stainless steel and is in very good original condition. The engravings are very well defined. A very crisp example with no marking from a single piece strap in its life. 
 
Bracelet:
The watch comes on a period stainless steel bracelet. It is in good vintage condition with some marking.  
 
Movement:
The movement is a Pierce calibre 134, which is a manual wind chronograph movement with a jewel count of 17 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has the chronograph central seconds, with 60 minute counter and constant sub-seconds dial. 
 
The movement has been recently serviced and is running well and keeping time to within 10 seconds variation a day. It has an amplitude of 350 degrees and a beat error of 1.7m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 34mm
Case width with crown: 35.9mm 
Case length: 33.85mm 
Case length lug to lug: 40mm
Case Depth: 13mm
Lug width: 17mm