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Seiko Tensoku WW2 Pilots Watch63617769065347110
Seiko Tensoku WW2 Pilots Watch63617769065347111
Seiko Tensoku WW2 Pilots Watch63617769065347112
Seiko Tensoku WW2 Pilots Watch63617769065347113
Seiko Tensoku WW2 Pilots Watch63617769065347114
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NZ$3,990
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Seiko Tensoku WW2 Pilots Watch

addressNorth Shore, Hauraki, Auckland, New Zealand

Description

This auction is for a Seiko WW2 Japanese pilot's watch, a "Tensoku-Dokei" or "Celestial Watch". The watch is running, and was serviced by About Time a couple of years ago. These watches are also known as the "Kamikaze" watch. I believe this is primarily due to one famously being worn by Lieutenant Yukio Seki (shown in pic) in the second official Kamikaze attack in World War II, which was also the first Kamikaze attack to sink an enemy vessel - the USS St Lo, on October 25th, 1944. This attack took place during the "Battle off Samar', which was part of the wider conflict 'The Battle of Leyte Gulf". This conflict also was the last battleship battle. The Tensoku has earned the nickname the 'Kamikaze watch', but they seem to have only been worn by higher ranking pilots, and there seems to be no evidence Kamikaze pilots generally wore these, aside from Lieutenant Yukio Seki, which is the only photo I have seen of a Japanese pilot wearing one. I have also included a coloured photo which is often mistaken for a historical image, but which is apparently from the movie Tora! Tora! Tora!. Generally, Japanese pilots did not wear wristwatches such as this, but used either a pocket watch, or a plane clock, both of which were worn around their necks on a rope, and in the case of the plane clock, these were attached to the dashboard when flying. Not only were very few of these watches made, but most examples were apparently destroyed in plane wrecks, as very few Japanese planes or pilots survived World War 2. Even the Seiko museum in Japan has very limited information about these watches. I have included one photo from Phillips Auctions for reference, of the highest price I have seen one of these watches sell for - 40,320 Swiss Francs , which is currently just over $84,000 NZD. ***Payment within 3 days of auction finishing, unless alternative arrangements are agreed before auction end ***Pick up preferred. I am also happy to take it to any reputable watch shop for inspection before payment***

Source:  trademe View Original Post

Location
North Shore, Hauraki, Auckland, New Zealand
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trademe

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