Here we have a circa 1940 Movado Chronometre Acvatic Scarab lug reference 11729. It has WW2 provenance, being worn throughout WW2 by Sgt Leslie Raymond Guymer, RNZAF, Service No. 401225.
 
It has a nicely designed sector dial, with clear Arabic numerals and sub-second dial at 6 O’clock. It has broad index style thermally blued hands, with the original radium luminous in-fill. It has an FB full Steel case, British Patent 385.509, with screw back. Inside the movement is protected by the original dust cover. It is powered by a Movado calibre 150MN, with is marked as being adjusted to 4 positions. It comes on a rare leather strap configuration, with Streamline patent stainless steel fold over deployment clasp.
 
The watch is appealing due to its quality construction, unusual period design and its military provenance.
 
Leslie Raymond Guymer:
The watch was worn throughout WW2 by Sergeant Leslie Raymond Guymer, RNZAF, Service No. 401225. Leslie was a rear gunner, as part of the crew of Wellington Bomber IC R1229.
 
His crew mates were H.F. Barnes, J.N.W. Jones, A.G. Sunderland, G.J.P. Morhen and P.E. Butler. They were part of No.149 Squadron RAF, operating out of RAF Mildenhall.
On March 31st the crew departed on a night bombing operation to Emden, Germany. While returning to base the following night, their plane landed heavily, bounced and then climbed steeply before stalling at 70 feet. A fire broke out when the bomber crashed at 0350LT. All six crew members were injured, one seriously. Sadly Sgt Butler, the wireless operator, died from injuries sustained.
 
The four dots below his service number engraving may be a cross, which would be fitting as he was recorded as a Presbyterian.
 
The watch comes with a document containing all the available information of Sgt Leslie Raymond Guymer.
 
This example:
The case is an unusual sizing with a petite width of 28.5mm, whilst it has a large total length across the wrist of 39mm with the Scarab style lugs, associated with the Acvatic design. It is a comfortable wear on the wrist, with a slim depth of 10mm. To the right of the case is the chunky original crown.
 
The case is associated with the Movado reference 11729, being sold in the UK market with the British Patent 385.509 signing inside. The long lugs are fixed but add to the style of the watch on the wrist. It is an FB full stainless-steel case.
Taubert & Fils took over the famous Borgel case company in 1924. Borgel were known for their pioneering water-resistant case designs, but by 1924 the classic screw case needed updating. British Patent 385509 was accepted on the 29th December 1932. The patent was for Tauberts Decagonal case. The screwback, with the lead gasket formed an excellent waterproof seal. Movado were the only company to have such standout designs, for a purposeful waterproof watch.
 
The silver dial is of a clear Sector style, which once again demonstrates the combination of aesthetic and practical design. The dial is legible and clear with the large Arabic hour markers separated within their own chapter ring. The sub-second dial at 6 O’clock is also clear and separated with its sunken design. The outer railroad track is clear and well-marked, with a silver foil ring separating it from the hour markers chapter. The dial is signed with the Movado name, with Chronometre above.
 
Inside is the Movado calibre 150 MN. It is a manual wind movement, which has a jewel count of 15 and is marked as being adjusted to 4 positions. It has been serviced in the last two years and is keeping time to within + 60 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 250 degrees.
 
The adjustable leather strap is a rather rare period design. It is a Streamline strap, with the patent no. 619055. The patent was registered in England by Artur Frank Napper. His application was dated 9th May 1946.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. A further condition report is below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in fair condition. It has some areas of wear to the signing, mostly between 11 and 2 O’clock. The bottom of the sub-second dial also has some fading.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are in good condition. They have a beautifully aged thermally blued tone. The radium lume in-fill is original.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition with no marking.
 
Crown: 
The Steel crown is stainless steel and is original, with neat coin edge finish.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in decent original condition. The case has polished finishing to the top which has light surface scratching. The sides of the case have a brushed finish. The sides have been re-brushed in the past. There are small scratches all over, as expected with age and wear.  
 
Caseback:
The screw on case back screws down tightly as it should, with a good thread. It has wear to the finish with deeper scratches. It has had the surface re-brushed in the past. The engraving is still clear. Inside is the original dust cover for the movement.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a rare period leather strap with adjustable Streamline Deployment stainless steel fold over clasp.
 
Movement: 
The movement is a Movado 150MN with a jewel count of 15. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and is marked as adjusted to 4 positions.
The movement has been serviced in the last two years. It’s keeping time to within + 60 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 250 degrees and a beat error of 1.7m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 28.5mm
Case width with crown: 30.75mm 
Case length: 32.5mm 
Case length lug to lug: 39mm
Case Depth: 10mm
Lug width: 16mm