WWII Vintage Waltham Watch Co. U.S. Navy Pilot Wrist Compass – Stock No. R88-C-890
Please note the stain on the back of the band near the buckle, the fraying (both visible in the last picture), and the minor internal stress fractures in the face near its edges.
Issued to Navy pilots during WWII, this wrist compass was built by Waltham for quick directional reference under pressure. The domed face is not glass, but appears to be celluloid, early acrylic, or another war-era plastic—likely chosen for its shatter resistance. On most surviving examples, internal stress fractures are common and often mistaken for cracks. Radium-painted markings provided glow-in-the-dark visibility, making this a crucial backup when cockpit instruments failed.
Geiger counter not included.
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