Royal Navy HS4 Watch by Golay for a SWORDFISH Torpdeo Aircraft c1940

This is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Cockpit Panel Mount HS4 Watch by Golay for a SWORDFISH Torpdeo Aircraft c1940

This pocket watch was retailed by H Golay & Sons, London circa 1940

The watch was used by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was positioned in the cock pit of a Swordfish Torpedo Aircraft.

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The Royal Naval Air Service:

During the First world War the aircraft of the Royal Naval Air service fought side by side with those of the Royal Flying Corps (R.P.C.). The Royal Naval Air Service was amalgamated with the Royal Flying corps to form the Royal Air force (R.A.F) in 1918.

Between 1918 – 1939 the development of the Fleet Air Arm within the RAF continued and more Aircraft carriers were built.

By 1938 Naval aviation had become such an important and integral part of the Fleet that full control of the Fleet Air Arm was handed back to the Admiralty

The Fleet Air Arm in WWII

The outstanding achievements by Naval Aircraft during the Second World War in actions ranging from Russian Convoys to the Torpedoing of the Bismarck, from Taranto to the pounding of the Japanese islands, prove that Naval aviation today is an essential and integral part of the Royal Navy. 

Naval aircraft can be subdivided into three main types. Fighter, Anti Submarine, and strike aircraft.

- Extract. British Military Timepieces. Konrad Knirim. Pages 422 – 424 which describe these types of watches with full illustrations

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Movement – the gilt ¾ plate Doxa movement was used by Golay for these watches. The movement has a lever escapement and a centre wheel positioned on the top plate for the sweep centre seconds hand. The movement is signed “Swiss Made” and is in 95% mint condition – light cloudy stains only

Case  - the nickel open face case, has a screw of back which is signed “Swiss Made”. 

The case is engraved “HS4” on the back with Military Arrow. The inside is engraved “Swiss Made, 310”

The front of the watch has a bezel which can be loosened, turned and positioned and tightened for Navigation. The case has a smooth plain finish and is in 95% mint condition –The black bezel has some marks from contact with the locking screw lever.

Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “H. Golay & Son Ltd, London 371”. The dial is in 100% mint condition

The watch has a bevelled plastic glass – this does have a build up of scratches

The watch is stem wound / stem set

The watch measures 62mm x 20mm deep