Disposal of Surplus Timepieces after World War Two

Surplus British Military Timepieces post WW2

Introduction

The successful landing of Allied troops on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944 was a defining point in World War II (WWII), marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Increasingly from mid-1944, the British Government focused its attention on how best to reorganise the economy away from production of military equipment to consumer goods. A major challenge was how to manage the impact of the disposal of surplus military equipment on a re-emerging civilian economy. With the misery of the Great Depression still fresh in policymakers’ minds, a key objective was to develop a post-WWII Keynesian economic architecture, which provided full employment and smoothed out the peaks and troughs of the business cycle.

Developing a British Watch Industry

A twin challenge facing the British Government near the end of WWII was how to balance the competing objectives of disposing of hundreds of thousands of surplus military timepieces, while at the same time developing a domestic watch industry. For both strategic and economic reasons, the British Government considered it important to develop a viable domestic timepiece manufacturing industry which could supply suitable clocks and watches to the military. From a strategic perspective, it was considered essential to develop the manufacture of a suitable service watch in the event of another conflict, as it may not be possible to rely on the supply of Swiss watches.

For economic reasons, it was important to avoid the expenditure of hard currency in peace time on imported watches. To nurture a fledgling watch industry, a range of policy measures was developed. This included limiting imports through quotas and providing development contracts to domestic firms such as Smiths to produce specialised watches for the three Services.

Policy Considerations

On 19 July 1944, the British Government released a White Paper entitled ‘Government Surplus Stores – Plans for Disposal’ which provided a policy framework on the orderly disposal of surplus goods. A key objective was to minimise opportunities for profiteering at the expense of consumers,while taking account of the commercial interests of producers and distributors.

To avoid the mistakes made directly after WWI, it was necessary to introduce a range of measures to manage the release of a large quantity of surplus military equipment. One such measure was the setting and enforcement of price controls to avoid racketeering. The lack of effective price controls at the end of WWI resulted in situations where dealers, who had acquired valuable government property, such as pocket watches for relatively low prices, on-sold the same items at very large profits. Another measure was restricting the purchase of surplus stock to producers and distributors operating in the relevant industry before the outbreak of WWII. Such a measure was to prevent speculators from flooding the market and making large and quick profits.

The potential impact of the release of surplus military stores on employment was a critical factor. The British Government had accepted officially in its White Paper on Employment Policy (released in May 1944) responsibility for the maintenance of employment, and explicitly stipulated that ‘the disposal of surplus Government stocks shall not prejudice the reestablishment and development of the normal trade channels for producing and distributing similar goods’.

Disposal Scheme

At a series of meetings between the Board of Trade (BOT) and representatives from the horological trade industry in late 1944, it was agreed in principle that disposal of surplus military timepieces would be effected through the medium of a nonprofit making disposals company, membership of which would be open to all UK manufacturers and bona fide wholesalers and importers of clocks and watches. Subsequent negotiations between the BOT and industry proceeded slowly, but by September 1945 agreement had been reached on the draft memorandum and articles of association of the company. However, in November 1945, before such arrangements could be formally implemented, the responsibility of managing the disposal of surplus timepieces shifted from the BOT to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP).

Much to the chagrin of the British horological industry, MAP announced a new approach which involved selling surplus clocks and watches by competitive tendering. MAP’s position had been developed after careful consideration of the proposed scheme of disposing of timepieces through a disposal company. MAP concluded that to sell watches and clocks in that manner would likely result in end users paying prices out of all reasonable relationship to those received by the Government, which would be difficult to defend.

The industry groups involved in developing the disposal company were furious with MAP’s proposed scheme, indicating that the disposal through the trade conformed to the principles of the White Paper and were astounded that MAP would wish to take a different course from that provisionally agreed by the BOT. Industry contended that sale by competitive tendering to a wide field would damage many of the small retailers who could not possibly compete against bigger retailers. Industry representatives said that the trade had served the Government well during the war (eg, by acting as a cloak for the import of military timepieces) and it was now up to the Government to see that they were given a fair deal.

MAP defended its approach by indicating that the disposal of surplus watches as near as possible to the end user was not inconsistent with White Paper principles, and there was no intention to sell outside the trade. MAP felt that sale by competitive tender was fair both to the trade and the end user. Nevertheless, MAP did acknowledge that the proposed scheme for distribution through a disposal company had certain merits. Chiefly, such an approach would facilitate control of the rate of release and geographical distribution of surpluses. But, it was MAP’s view that the demand for most types of timepieces would likely be so great that rapid disposal of all surpluses would not have a disruptive effect on the market. Also, ensuring fair distribution could partly be achieved by advertising the tender process throughout the UK.

The Competitive Tender Scheme

Under the disposal scheme developed and implemented by the MAP, watches of standard service types and clocks which were readily saleable without modification were sold by competitive tendering, subject to end prices not exceeding the maximum fixed by a Price Control Order. The opportunity to tender was given to all manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and other dealers, who were engaged in the clock and watch trade before WWII.

MAP advertised its intention to dispose of military surplus clocks and watches in trade journals and in selected national newspapers and invited manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and other dealers to apply for tender forms. Applicants were required to provide evidence that they were bona fide traders in one of the categories mentioned and were so engaged before the war.

Generally, tenders were invited to purchase lots of not less than twenty of any one type of timepiece. While the highest tenders were normally accepted in the absence of special reasons to the contrary, discretion could be exercised to ensure that traders with modest means could receive a fair share or to ensure fair geographical distribution. Watches of non-standard types and clocks which required adaptation and re-casing before resale were sold by tender to the trade without price restriction.

Price Ceilings

To avoid profiteering, it was considered necessary to fix maximum prices by statutory order for three categories of timepieces: (i) wristwatches; (ii) pocket watches, and (iii) certain types of stop watches (timers).

On 11 March 1946, a Price Control Order was released by the Minister of Supply entitled ‘The Controlled Surplus Stores – Clocks and Watches (No 1) Order’. The Order provided maximum prices for the sale of certain government surplus clocks and watches, prohibited the alteration or erasure of official identifying marks on the goods, and prescribed certain conditions of trading. The Price Control Order was inclusive of purchase tax and the goods were sold on a tax-inclusive basis.

As it transpired, the Price Control Order was not required, as prices never reached the controlled maxima. The watches were generally sold to large firms like Bravingtons and Gamages, who advertised extensively and took a small quick profit on the transaction. In fact, some sections of the trade used the Price Control Order in a perverted sense by, for example, advertising at £4.10s ‘for which the Government price is £8.10s’. The Price Control Order was revoked on 7 March 1951.

Types of Timepieces

Generally, timepieces identified in the Price Control Order were those which could be readily sold on the civilian market without modification (unlike, for example, aircraft clocks). Timepieces were ‘thrown-up’ by all three Services: Army, Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Air Force (RAF), with the bulk of timepieces identified as surplus to military requirements being of the pocket watch type.

Wristwatches

Directly after WWII there were three regular types of wristwatches deemed surplus to requirements and the subject of price control: the Mk VIIA (stores reference 6B/159); the Mk VIII (stores reference 6B/234); and the Army Trade Pattern (ATP).

Mk VIIIA

By far the most desirable of all surplus timepieces identified for disposal was the Mk VIIA. According to Air Publication 1275, dated February 1941, the wrist watch Mk VIIA (6B/159) was supplied for aircraft navigators’ use. The Mk VIIA specification required a 36-hour keyless lever movement, with hour, minute and seconds hands of blued steel. The Mk VIIA was issued with a strong leather strap sewn to the watch. The majority of the Mk VIIA watches were fitted with a rotatable ‘Weems’ bezel.

However, there were watches without the rotatable bezel and these were differentiated with a star after the words ‘Mk VIIA’ on the packing box. Three Mk VIIA brands were listed under the Price Control Order: (i) Le Coultre; (ii) Omega; and (iii) Longines. Of all the timepieces listed in the Price Control Order, the Longines Mk VIIA had the highest price ceiling of £20.

MkVIII

The Movado, Ebel and Cyma Mk. VIII (stores reference 6B/234) wristwatches were a general service type used by the RAF and supplied in accordance with a specification requiring:

• 10½ – 12 ligne 16 jewel, 36 hour lever movement with centre seconds hand;
• round case with horn lugs made from stainless steel,nickel, chrome or other metal;
• silvered dial with Arabic numerals.

ATP

The Army Trade Pattern (ATP) wristwatch was a general service timepiece supplied by 18 Swiss makers in accordance with a specification requiring:

• 10½– 12 ligne, 15 jewel lever movements timed ± 30 sec. per day in 4 positions;
• metal dials, luminised, offset seconds
• stainless steel or nickel chrome waterproof cases.

Approximately 133,600 ATP wristwatches were supplied to the War Office

Pocket Watches

Over 80 per cent of all surplus timepieces sold directly after WWII were pocket watches. For price control purposes, pocket watches were divided into two categories depending on whether or not the watch had luminous markers on the dial.

By far the most abundant type of pocket watch was the British Army GSTP with around 662,300 Swiss made GSTP pocket watches delivered to the War Office up to February 1945. According to War Office records, 26 Swiss makes were supplied with the following characteristics:

• 19 ligne, 15 jewel lever movements timed ±30 sec per day in 3 positions.
• Metal dial, luminised.
• Nickel or brass plated case.

Stop Watches

Broadly speaking, pocket timers were of two types measuring either at 1/5th second or 1/10th second intervals, and were supplied by various Swiss makers and Smiths.

The 1/5th second pocket timer such as the RAF 6B/129 and RN Pattern 4 features a 11 jewelled lever movement. The dial is calibrated to 60 seconds and recording to 30 minutes. Some timers (eg RAF 6B/107 and 6B/140) have an additional calibration of 360°, the purpose of which is to assist with direction finding. Other 1/5th second pocket timers such as the RAF 6B/117 and 6E/287, the RN Pattern 3169 and HS7 timers have a 7 jewelled lever movement with a nickel case, which were designed to run for a period of 8-hours from fully wound. The dials are calibrated up to 60 seconds and recording to 30 minutes. These types of timers were intended for general application and could be used in an aircraft. Some variants (eg 6B/221) also had additional calibrations of 360° on the dial.

The 1/10th second pocket timer has a 7 jewelled lever movement, with a dial calibrated up to 30 seconds in one revolution, a second circle in red up to 60 seconds on second revolution, recording to 15 minutes. The specification required the case to be constructed of nickel.

Quantity of Surplus Watches

It is estimated that over 1.3 million timepieces were supplied to the British military during WWII. Over 80 per cent of timepieces supplied in this period were produced in Switzerland. All timepieces supplied from the United States were obtained under Lend-Lease arrangements, and as a condition of such arrangements the American Mission for Economic Affairs was consulted regarding disposal.

Approximate Quantities of Timepieces supplied to the British Military up to 1 February 1945

United Kingdom

• Stop watches 60,000

United States

• Pocket watches 160,000
• Wrist watches 10,000
• Stop watches 30,000

Switzerland

• Pocket watches 850,000
• Wrist watches 200,000
• Stop watches 50,000

According to estimates, as at June 1947, over half a million British military timepieces had either been sold or were destined to be sold by competitive tendering.

Markings

Initially, relevant British Government Ministries were of the view that surplus clocks and watches with the Broad Arrow mark or other Government property mark should be cancelled or removed and substituted for the Government Surplus Stores (GSS) mark. However, after further reflection, this approach was not adopted because of the lack of workshop facilities to undertake such work; the cost involved in substituting the existing marks; and the risk of watches being damaged in the process. It was also considered an advantage to retain the government markings as the definitions for the Price Control Order could be more accurately given by quoting the code reference number engraved on all the timepieces.

Exports

The option of receiving tenders for export was considered and pursued throughout the disposal process. Tenders for pocket watches were particularly encouraged due to the large quantity of surplus stock of this type of timepiece and the urgent need for foreign currency. For example, on 14 June 1946 it was widely reported in Australian newspapers that the British Government had surplus Swiss pocket watches for disposal and the Australian trade would be invited to submit offers. But it quickly became apparent that export agents and overseas firms were unwilling to buy in a speculative market and the price at which they sought to buy pocket watches was very low.

Watches, Waterproof, Wristlet

Despite recognition that the British military would have surplus timepieces as the war in Europe was drawing to an end, a new type of General Service wristwatch for the British Army had been ordered. At an inter-ministry meeting held on 17 September 1945, the War Office advised that the order of Swiss-made General Service wristwatches, referred to by the specification title of ‘Watches, Waterproof, Wristlet’ (WWW) should be cancelled. However, because of the advanced state of the order and the fact that the WWW was considered to be far superior to any other type of wristwatch in service, it was subsequently decided that the order for approximately 130,000 WWW would be followed through.

Outcome

The bulk of WWII British surplus military timepieces were disposed of in the period 1946-47. Disposal of surplus timepieces through a competitive tendering process represented a compromise between the rigid principles imposed by the White Paper on disposals (which favoured disposal through trade bodies, at prices which allowed for computed profit margins for the various agents of distributions) and free competition. The competitive tendering process was generally considered a success by authorities because:

• normal commerce was not significantly disrupted;
• the public was able to buy a good quality timepiece at a reasonable price
• the return to public funds was considered a good deal better than could have been achieved by a restrictive and elaborate trade scheme
• excessive profits were not made by racketeers.

Acknowledgements

Grateful acknowledgment is made to Dr Konrad Knirim , and David Read for his valuable advice and guidance. Thanks also to the Royal Air Force Museum, Royal Australian Air Force Museum and The National Archives UK.

Further Reading

• Zulu Time - History of The British Military General Service Wristwatch
• British Armed Forces Issued Watches
• The Dirty Dozen

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