Omega - Lawrence of Arabia aviator chronograph-wristwatch, 1915
This watch of exceptional historical interest was worn by Thomas Edward Lawrence, British archaeologist, officer and writer known as Lawrence of Arabia (1888-1935). Animating a rebellion against the Turks from 1916 to 1918, he freed the Arabic Middle East countries.
The caseback engraved with an “A” for Aviation and the “Broad Arrow”, are symbols of the British Army in which Lawrence firstly served in 1914, as an interpreter and second lieutenant, and a second time incognito upon his return from Arabia on August 30, 1922 under the name of John Hume Ross, as a mechanic with the Royal Air Force. Lawrence enlisted a third time on February 23, 1923 changing his pseudonym to T. E. Shaw, which is why the guarantee slip dated April 18, 1933 (issued after a revision) included with this chronograph is made out in the name of T.E. Shaw and not in the name of the writer of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
The chronograph-wristwatch powered by the calibre 18′'’ SO PB CHRO, has an enamel dial, 1/5-second minute track, hollow Arabic numerals with inner 13-24 in red, small seconds at nine o’clock, 15-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock and blued steel Empire hands. The lentil-shaped 925 sterling silver case has a red gilt mono-pushbutton at 6 o’clock, and the caseback is with hinge, Louis XV crown, curved loops. The sewn “two leather straps” is closed by a silver buckle.
The serial number 4′428′513 engraved on the movement identifies this chronograph wristwatch as ordered on September 23, 1915 by France or one of its colonies, while the serial number 4′789′732 on its caseback refers to a standard 17′'’ hunting type pocket watch ordered on September 1912 by the Omega agent Joseph Sewill of Liverpool! The interior of the caseback was enlarged by hand in order to fit the case-middle size of the 18′'’ chronograph. Its dust-protective double back cover was eliminated to allow this replacement back, flatter than the original one, to snap when closing.
Consequently three corresponding riddles remain unsolved:
1. When, how and why this chronograph wristwatch supplied to France or one of its colonies reached the hands of a British army agent?
2. When, how and why was the original caseback replaced by one of another model?
3. When, how and why was it engraved not with the symbols of the Royal Air Force at that time (Initials AM for Air Ministry with a crown on top) but with those of the Royal Flying Corps established on April 13, 1912 and replaced by the RAF on April 1, 1918?
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