The Universal Squirrel Bites Hard

J-Luc
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27.0mm = 1.063 inch for strap size
52.5mm = 2.067 inch without crown
72.5mm = 2.854 inch with crown
 
LouS
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Most interesting. I admit to a fascination with anything with 'Cairelli' on the dial. Who can point me to an explanation of how J-Luc's bomb timer/sganciabombe was used?
 
Mark020
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Another sganciabombe I just picked up.
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Vanquish1551
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UG dashboard.jpg
UG made at least two models. The single pusher version, which you have, and a two pusher version. The dual pusher was activated and wound from the top of the dashboard timer. The single was bottom mounted and an earlier timer. The functions appear different. They have a 12 hour totalizer, 30 and 60 seconds counters. The two button has an interesting count down function that starts at a "7 o'clock" position on the sub dial and runs clockwise. Probably for bomb release timing purposes, but I'm guessing. The twelve hour totalizer was moved to the sub dial instead of the bezel as on the earlier single pusher version. I have pictures of Leonidas' version in their late 1930s catalog.
 
timeismoney
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LouS LouS
The UG squirrel was particularly vicious and I picked up something well out of my area of interest, or even knowledge.

Some dial verbiage to conjure with:

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Unfortunately not a rattrapante, but a nonetheless spiffy dashboard chronograph from the 1940s, presumably Regia Aeronautica. I know precious little beyond that and am having trouble turning up more.

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Bottom knob winds and sets, and the 4:30 knob starts, stops and resets the chronograph. Outer bezel turns the inner bezel

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The mounting plate affixes to the watch with a leather washer

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I haven't had it open yet, but here is what lies within - pic from an ebay seller of a similar clock

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Already asked over at the military forum, will convey any info over.

Perhaps some of our Italian members can shed a little light or point me to the appropriate authorities on Italian fora?

That is a pretty awesome purchase, Lou. Wow...
 
Vanquish1551
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Leonidas1.JPG Leonidas2.JPG Leonidas3.JPG

Here are some photos from the Air Force section of my late 1930s Leonidas catalog. Features and operation are listed in 3 languages.
 
citizenrich
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This is a like a sub, subculture. You know you've gone deep into the rabbit hole when you start collecting these bad boys.

!!! Good stuff
 
SeanO
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we can now see where Graham picked up their styling cues from.

if you can call it style
 
Vanquish1551
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J-Luc and Mark020: Your pieces have an interesting attachment. The Leonidas Type 464 is very similar to your UG bombardier timepiece. Note the long extension for the crown. Your piece has an attachment that allows for more precise triggering of the countdown mechanism. Bombers during the 30s and 40s were not pressurized so airman wore thick jackets and gloves (American and German versions were heated) on board the airplane. They were strapped to the airman's wrist over their coats since they were looking through a bombsite to trigger the release of the bombs. American planes functioned differently due to the superior Norden Bomb sight that had integrated functions for more accurate target acquisition.
 
Mark020
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Found similar Minervas (see: click) as well:
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Dials is similar however other movement. All UG's I could find have another dial (other numbers, no counter). Mine has a <100k serial while this one (sold by Sotheby's in 2012) has a 765k serial. The UG serial list then suggests that mine was produced <1930 and the other batch in 1938-1941.
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I sent Universal a fax but no answer yet. Knirim has some info in his book on the type above.
 
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