For sale, this one-off chance to obtain an extremely rare, possibly the only one, Longines Telegraph Wire Operator's Issued Natal Navy Volunteers, circa 1899. Obtained from Z M Wesolowski, author of Military Time Pieces, and it is his following detailed research that forms the description. The diameter of the watch is 55mm excluding the crown. Dial with some stress lines and chips which you must expect from a used example of such importance. Probably never to be repeated. Price £1750.00 inclusive of shipping to within the UK. A historically rare and important Longines pocket watch, that actually served in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War, 1899 - 1902. Functioning as a Wireless Telegrapher's timepiece, this Boer War Longines was an integral part of a modern telegraphic system. In fact, this war was the Telegraph's debut in an operational role, ultimately proving that clear and timely communications were pivotal in achieving a successful military outcome. As one of the first precision Swiss watches to be utilised in this way, the military ordered an unusual dial design based on the alphabet. In short, this enabled a RoyalNavyW/T operator to easily time-code his message relay, which was done using Morse Code - A code using a series of long or short sound or light signals to communicate letters of the alphabet, but without any provision for communicating numerals. Although telegraphy had been around since the mid-1850s, it was not until the system had been much improved that in 1899, Marconi suggested to the Admiralty that its fleet would benefit from this invention. His timing turned out to be perfect. With Britain on the verge of war, the RoyalNavywas quick to trial this new equipment, reporting back favourably confirming telegraphy's usefulness, both as a ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore means of communication. Conversely, the army was less than impressed having experienced no end of difficulty. Of course, nowadays we understand how terrain, as well as atmospheric and climatic conditions, affect the telegraph but at that time it was all new and mysterious technology to the average soldier. Even so, improvements were ongoing and solutions to many of the problems encountered followed quickly - chiefly by designing better antennas. Needless to say, the Admiralty went ahead with an immediate order for 5 telegraphic sets. These were installed straightaway on the RoyalNavycruisers HMS Dwarf, Magicienne, Racoon, Thetis and Forte, which took part in the support of the naval blockade of Delagoa Bay. The War Department was a little slower but they too followed up with purchases of their own. By now a RoyalNavyflotilla had been ordered to anchor off theNatalProvince coast and, using their long-range guns, they pounded enemy encampments. Without a BoerNavyto stop them, the ships were untouchable. The same however could not be said of the beleaguered army who were continuously outgunned by Boer artillery. Fortunately for them, the Royal Engineers had adopted the raising of copper aerials suspended beneath hot air balloons, to improve reception and transmission of the Morse signals. This enabled detailed messages to be sent to theNavyconcerning the coordinates of enemy positions, so action could be taken in a timely fashion. The Boers quickly learnt that to beat this, they should employ hit and run tactics. Boer snipers were also effective at disrupting British communications, again giving them an edge. Realising a growing urgency to combat the guerrilla tactics, Captain Percy Scott RN suggested that additional artillery normally kept back for use by the Naval Brigade landing parties, should be sent from the reserve. He also remarked that this artillery could be uprated to better meet the needs of the army. This done, the improved guns and a detachment of fighting sailors with Hotchkiss machine guns assembled from the Cape of Good Hope Station and vessels HMS Doris, Terrible, Powerful, Philomel, Tartar and the Forte, were landed. This proved to be an inspiring venture and the formation of theNatalNavy. Leading to more shore-based naval incursions theNatalNaval volunteers, which initially comprised of 123 men led by Commander G. Tatum, proved themselves to be an invaluable support to the army. Through frequent reports, they were variously described as, daring, adaptable and highly resourceful men, detailing their exploits and acts of heroism. By the end of the war, the number of volunteers that had been associated with theNatalNavyis recorded as 354 men. Further archive records note that out of all the NN volunteers, four signalmen were amongst their ranks. Presumably, it would have been these men who were responsible for the many communications, from shore-to-ship and therefore, these are the most likely candidates who would have retained personal possession of this Longines watch. These men were; Leading Signalman A. G. Goulding; Signalmen T. E. Godwin; D. C. Kenny and T. Phoenix. For sale, this one-off chance to obtain an extremely rare, possibly the only one, Longines Telegraph Wire Operator's Issued Natal Navy Volunteers, circa 1899. Obtained from Z M Wesolowski, author of Military Time Pieces, and it is his following detailed research that forms the description. The diameter of the watch is 55mm excluding the crown. Dial with some stress lines and chips which you must expect from a used example of such importance. Probably never to be repeated. Price £1750.00 inclusive of shipping to within the UK. A historically rare and important Longines pocket watch, that actually served in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War, 1899 - 1902. Functioning as a Wireless Telegrapher's timepiece, this Boer War Longines was an integral part of a modern telegraphic system. In fact, this war was the Telegraph's debut in an operational role, ultimately proving that clear and timely communications were pivotal in achieving a successful military outcome. As one of the first precision Swiss watches to be utilised in this way, the military ordered an unusual dial design based on the alphabet. In short, this enabled a RoyalNavyW/T operator to easily time-code his message relay, which was done using Morse Code - A code using a series of long or short sound or light signals to communicate letters of the alphabet, but without any provision for communicating numerals. Although telegraphy had been around since the mid-1850s, it was not until the system had been much improved that in 1899, Marconi suggested to the Admiralty that its fleet would benefit from this invention. His timing turned out to be perfect. With Britain on the verge of war, the RoyalNavywas quick to trial this new equipment, reporting back favourably confirming telegraphy's usefulness, both as a ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore means of communication. Conversely, the army was less than impressed having experienced no end of difficulty. Of course, nowadays we understand how terrain, as well as atmospheric and climatic conditions, affect the telegraph but at that time it was all new and mysterious technology to the average soldier. Even so, improvements were ongoing and solutions to many of the problems encountered followed quickly - chiefly by designing better antennas. Needless to say, the Admiralty went ahead with an immediate order for 5 telegraphic sets. These were installed straightaway on the RoyalNavycruisers HMS Dwarf, Magicienne, Racoon, Thetis and Forte, which took part in the support of the naval blockade of Delagoa Bay. The War Department was a little slower but they too followed up with purchases of their own. By now a RoyalNavyflotilla had been ordered to anchor off theNatalProvince coast and, using their long-range guns, they pounded enemy encampments. Without a BoerNavyto stop them, the ships were untouchable. The same however could not be said of the beleaguered army who were continuously outgunned by Boer artillery. Fortunately for them, the Royal Engineers had adopted the raising of copper aerials suspended beneath hot air balloons, to improve reception and transmission of the Morse signals. This enabled detailed messages to be sent to theNavyconcerning the coordinates of enemy positions, so action could be taken in a timely fashion. The Boers quickly learnt that to beat this, they should employ hit and run tactics. Boer snipers were also effective at disrupting British communications, again giving them an edge. Realising a growing urgency to combat the guerrilla tactics, Captain Percy Scott RN suggested that additional artillery normally kept back for use by the Naval Brigade landing parties, should be sent from the reserve. He also remarked that this artillery could be uprated to better meet the needs of the army. This done, the improved guns and a detachment of fighting sailors with Hotchkiss machine guns assembled from the Cape of Good Hope Station and vessels HMS Doris, Terrible, Powerful, Philomel, Tartar and the Forte, were landed. This proved to be an inspiring venture and the formation of theNatalNavy. Leading to more shore-based naval incursions theNatalNaval volunteers, which initially comprised of 123 men led by Commander G. Tatum, proved themselves to be an invaluable support to the army. Through frequent reports, they were variously described as, daring, adaptable and highly resourceful men, detailing their exploits and acts of heroism. By the end of the war, the number of volunteers that had been associated with theNatalNavyis recorded as 354 men. Further archive records note that out of all the NN volunteers, four signalmen were amongst their ranks. Presumably, it would have been these men who were responsible for the many communications, from shore-to-ship and therefore, these are the most likely candidates who would have retained personal possession of this Longines watch. These men were; Leading Signalman A. G. Goulding; Signalmen T. E. Godwin; D. C. Kenny and T. Phoenix. Longines archive records date this watch to 1899 in keeping with the event timeline. It is clearly marked to the case back with the "NN" and broad arrow emblem of theNatalNavy, which demonstrates that these watches were supplied at the same time, or very soon after the telegraphic apparatus was acquired. Knowing that there were only 5 sets purchased by the Admiralty at this time, this watch must rank as one of the rarest and most interesting timepieces that any advanced military collector could hope to own. Interestingly, this watch is more highly jewelled than the Longines watches ordered by the War Department. All in all, a significant and extremely rare military Longines. NB, It was important that a clock time should be added to every message so the receiver would know precisely when it was sent and therefore, how fresh the information was. In the first image of the watch, the time reads 13:48 hours. Numerals were not available as Morse Code, so the operator sent a three-letter code instead, which in this instance would have read, A, I and W. Longines archive records date this watch to 1899 in keeping with the event timeline. It is clearly marked to the case back with the "NN" and broad arrow emblem of theNatalNavy, which demonstrates that these watches were supplied at the same time, or very soon after the telegraphic apparatus was acquired. Knowing that there were only 5 sets purchased by the Admiralty at this time, this watch must rank as one of the rarest and most interesting timepieces that any advanced military collector could hope to own. Interestingly, this watch is more highly jewelled than the Longines watches ordered by the War Department. All in all, a significant and extremely rare military Longines. NB, It was important that a clock time should be added to every message so the receiver would know precisely when it was sent and therefore, how fresh the information was. In the first image of the watch, the time reads 13:48 hours. Numerals were not available as Morse Code, so the operator sent a three-letter code instead, which in this instance would have read, A, I and W
