That's superb,
I love some of these 'well worn' Autavias, they really go grow old gracefully. Military too, but being British, I can't really approve though ;0)

This will interest you - plenty of excellent photos of a similar watch...
http://www.photowatches.eu/thumbnails.php?album=247

Enjoy it. It looks stunning

Stewart

: I hope you can empathise with my excitement. 6 months since my
: first post to this elite forum and today I, (and more
: importantly my Autavia,) have become a member of The Family.
: Thanks everyone.
: First my impressions and thoughts on my watch.
: A serious chunk of metal. I love it.
: I conclude that it is an Autavia 11630 MH 1977 Cal 12. After
: searching OTD, I found this watch in the Bonhams Catalogue here

:
: http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/WService=wslive_pub/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=4560055&iSaleNo=17865&iSaleSectionNo=1

: I conclude that my hands have faded and compared to Arno's NOS,
: mine has a number 100 larger than his. I can still note the
: gloss in the dial, a little bit of paint flaking off the hands
: at certain places, and the hand for the 30 minute subdial has
: lost some of its base where it attaches to the movement. Not
: having taken the back off, and going on the pictures supplied,
: there looks to be a bit of gunk from the seal, so any
: suggestions or interpretations there would be welcome. It won't
: be going in the water! All in all though I am very happy.
: Everything works well and it is keeping good time. Wow, it has a
: great weight to it. The band seems to be all there, for with my
: 7.25" wrist, I think I'll have to take a minimum of 3 links
: to fit me.
: The seller tells me that he reluctantly bought this watch from its
: original owner, and not only has the watch seen some 2000 hours
: flight time, some of that time was in actual combat conditions
: in the Falklands (Malvinas) conflict (1982). Just makes it more
: special to me. I would dearly love to get some documentation of
: this as I think it would be great to have.

: I want to take this most auspicious moment to say thankyou to Jeff
: for this great site, for without it, I truly doubt I would be
: owning such a piece of horological history, to all the
: contributors, and especially to Darren Cal 11/12 for his
: friendly emails and assistance.

: I'm not planning on doing anything to the watch, a new bezel is an
: option, but I am of the thinking that I like the history that
: the watch carries, and I respect that. Perhaps that is the
: romantic in me and as regards this particular watch, that may
: change in the future. I am assured by the seller that the watch
: does not need a service, and he also advises to leave it as it
: is.
: Any thoughts, recommendations, ideas, or advice would be greatly
: appreciated.
: I remember reading in a past post about this watch clicking when
: wound, disconcerting at first, but thanks to this forum I am ok
: with it. Am I correct with this?
: I'll let this settle in, and see what I would like to own next.
: Perhaps one of each is a good start. Carrera, Pasadena,
: Montreal, etc, though a Siffert would be nice!

: My watch, pictured with my nuts, for that is what pays for them. I
: just love my nuts!!

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: Argentine Navy 3rd Naval Fighter Squadron pilots in front their
: A-4Q Skyhawks during the Falklands War 1982 (Photo courtesy of
: Wikipedia)
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