An Omega, Air Ministry gentleman's steel wristwatch, circa 1940, will be available at auction at the forthcoming Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sale on 11th April.

The watch was the property of the late acting Squadron Leader V.C. Royals (134188) who served in Egypt, Malta, the Middle East, North Africa and Sicily. During the Second World War, the Air Ministry ordered watches from several different manufacturers. This is an example of one of the watches ordered from Omega for use by pilots/navigators in the RAF. The military coding to the case back, '6B/159', specifically relates to this use and the 'AM' inititals are an abbreviation of 'Air Ministry'.

Included within the lot is a copy of part of a letter written by V.C. Royals to his mother in 1943, during his time stationed at RAF Hal-Far, Malta. Sqd Ldr Royals flew many different aircraft during his wartime career, including both the Spitfire and the Hurricane as well as light to medium bombers , including the Beaufort and Beaufighter.

The Omega watch is Lot 194 and will be available at Cheffins Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sale on 11th April; the auction takes place at 10am at Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, CB1 7EA.