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C65 Cranwell Series 1
Built in 1916 and used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) for training
purposes ever since, RAF College Cranwell is also known as the world’s
rst air academy.
Such a stake in history made it the perfect title for the C65 Cranwell,
a watch that, although technically part of the C65 vintage dive
family, wears its aeronautical references proudly. In part, this is
due to it sharing elements with two classic models from the mid-
20th century: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark XI and the IWC Mark XI,
specication 6B/346.
Released in 1949, both watches were approved by the UK’s Ministry
of Defence (MOD) following the Second World War to help RAF pilots
improve accuracy during their operations.
It seemed appropriate that, as a brand licensed by the MOD to
produce watches bearing ocial insignia of the UK Armed Forces,
the C65 Cranwell should reference two watches so intrinsically linked
to the RAF. Incorporating similar design ourishes from the originals –
the lumed Arabic numerals and triangle, the white needle-like seconds
hand – alongside modern touches like our elegant ‘light-catcher’
case and the highly-detailed Heraldic badge deep-stamped into its
backplate, the C65 is a perfect fusion of old and new.
And speaking of accuracy: the presence of a Swiss-made
chronometer-certied SW200 movement inside will keep the
C65 Cranwell ying along smoothly!
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