“Luftforsvaret” in steel, ref. 1550 SG. Mechanical flyback chronograph movement with manual winding, calibre Valjoux 230. 1972. Green NATO strap. Ø 42 mm.

“Luftforsvaret” in steel, ref. 1550 SG. Mechanical flyback chronograph movement with manual winding, calibre Valjoux 230. 1972. Green NATO strap. Ø 42 mm. The Heuer 1550 SG – a timepiece that has been under the radar rather historically speaking but still holds a place as one of the most intriguing military chronographs of the Cold War era. In the light of the Soviet Union’s northern fleet pressuring the Norwegian Sea in the late 1960s, Norway was encouraged by NATO and the US to strengthen their military defence and gain access to more modernized equipment. It was because of the encouragement the first batch of the Heuer 1550 SG “Luftforsvaret” was delivered in 1972 and gradually replaced up until the mid-1980s. The dimensions of the watch, measuring 42mm in diameter and 13mm in thickness, made it a very large watch for its time and with its large Arabic numerals, with both hand and numerals luminated, made it clear that this watch was obtained by the military as a “tool watch”. Based on the testimony of former pilots, it is estimated that around 200 timepieces were issued. Upon retirement of the pilots, orders to return the watches to ”Luftforsvaret” were given and the watches was destroyed after being phased out. Today, fifty-two pieces have been identified which makes this watch a highly sought after and incredibly rare timepiece.