Omega RAF Ref. 2777-1

In the days before electronic timekeeping, watches were essential for the military—requiring utmost reliability and legibility. Omega pocket and wristwatches proved both, showing precision and resilience in WWII. An estimated 110,000 Omega watches were delivered to the British Armed Forces. In 1945, Omega stated: “Of all the Navigational watches used by the Royal Air Force during the war, approximately half were Omega.”

The RAF/Omega connection remained post-war. In 1953, RAF pilots received the ref. 2777-1. The design echoed earlier army models like CK2299 and CK2444. The black dial had a similar hour track and the “Broad Arrow” symbol, marking it as government property. Inside beat a movement derived from the famed cal. 30, ensuring superior accuracy.
What set the 2777-1 apart was its anti-magnetic property—resisting up to 900 Oersted. In cockpit conditions, that protection was critical. A double caseback and thicker dial provided shielding. This innovation laid the groundwork for the 1957 Railmaster.

Only 5,900 pieces were reportedly delivered to the RAF. Many had tritium dials installed later by the MoD—hence the circled “T” on the dial. A true military tool, the 2777-1 also had fixed lugs, avoiding failure in combat.
The engraved caseback tells its story: Broad Arrow for military issue, “6645 101000” as NATO stock number, “6B/542” as RAF service code, and “2829/53” as order number and year.

This RAF tool has a great brownie patina on the original radium dial, an unpolished case and it comes with an original vintage fixed lugs strap.