An unusual, and potentially very rare late WW2 era ladies wristwatch, printed in raised gold ink dial with the name Hanna Reitsch (1912-1979), and also the name of the aircraft she famously piloted into Berlin on April 26th 1945, in order to deliver the newly appointed head of the Luftwaffe, Von Greim to Adolf Hitler. Reitsch met Hitler at the Führerbunker, and was one of the last people to see him alive. At also known that Hitler also gave her at least one cyanide capsule during this visit. The watch is of simple design, with a barrel shaped form, which is nickel plated over brass, with 2 rectangular shaped lugs, onto which is fitted a narrow leather strap. The raised gilt printed name sits between the numerals 10 and 2, and at the very bottom, below the subsidiary dial are the partially obscured ‘Fi 156’. Opening up the watch reveals further details to the dial, which ordinarily would not be seen during normal use. The full wording printed to the bottom of the dial is ‘Fieseler Fi Storch’ which is the complete name of the aircraft Reitsch landed in the Tiergarten near the Brandenburg Gate during the Battle of Berlin. Notes: Hanna Reitsch was born in 1912 in Prussia to a Dr Wilhelm Reitsch and Emy Helff-Hibler von Alpenheim. Like her father, Hanna originally attended medical school, but her career took a change in direction in 1933 when she became a glider pilot instructor. As her pilot career progressed, she achieved many firsts as a test pilot, such as the first woman to fly a helicopter, the first woman to fly a rocket powered plane, and the first woman to fly a jet. As Hitler’s test pilot, she was also highly decorated during the Third Reich era, earning the Iron Cross 1st Class, and the Pilot/Observer Badge in gold with diamonds. Hanna’s pilot skills, her willingness to participate in public relations, and her blonde and hair and blue eyes, made her the ideal Nazi ‘poster girl’. After capture at the end of WW2, subsequent questioning, and a relatively short time in captivity, Reitsch settled in Frankfurt, and continued to pilot gliders, and later competed in the World Gliding Championships. Information supplied by the vendor states that the watch was possibly sourced in Munich some years ago, but it’s exact origins are unknown. The style and shape of the item are commensurate with other similar watches seen at the time, and in the post war early 1950’s period. The reasons for the specific naming on the dial are unclear, as is whether the watch was the personal property of Hanna. Certainly, there is not another watch like it that we’ve been able to locate. The wristwatch measures 2.5cm across including crown, and is 3.1cm top to bottom. The watch dial measures 1.2cm across. The leather strap currently fitted would only fit a very small wrist, which is commensurate with Hanna’s petite stature of just over 5 feet tall and weighing a mere 90lbs / 40 kilos. Also included is a copy of Hanna Reitsch’s book, The Sky My Kingdom. Condition: some age and service wear. When wound, the watch would appear to work as it should, but it’s timekeeping performance is unchecked. The front facing side of the case shows some wear to the bezel, and the nickel plating has worn away to reveal the brass base metal (there are also scratches and pits to the metal in this area). To the back case there is also wear to the plating, which again shows the base metal either side of the strap as it lays across the back. The dial shows some age related soiling / fading, but the details mentioned above are all legible. The book condition is only fair, with some tears to the slip cover, and tape repairs in places.
Realised Price: £
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