Case silver gilt, no plate wear. mvmnt. symbol puts year as 1943, case no. as 1944. Very dirty dial cleaned up well as did the case. Non-original strap is vintage circa 1940's.
Edit: 2013.03.13 Case dimensions added from Bobbee's comments in thread: The case size is: 26mm. dia. 34mm long. 14mm. lug gape.
Bobbee, this is a nice watch.
I do, however, question the Air Warden name, and here's why. We have at least three Air Warden advertisements, and they all show the "5" and "7" partially hidden behind the subseconds dial. We have examples of Air Wardens in the database that show this same dial configuration, so we know it existed. The overlapping of the dial elements would appear to evidence a slightly smaller diameter case, but I don't think we've confirmed that with measurements.
I also note that the examples we have of this watch with the dial that matches the ad are all white dialed, rather than black, a phenomenon that I can't explain, considering we have no ads showing a white dialed Air Warden. They all may be incorrectly identified. I have one of the white dial models myself. The only black dialed "Air Warden" in the database does look just like yours, but we have to consider the possibility that it is mislabeled.
So, what do you make of the dial layout on yours versus the ads and the other examples in the database?
If you'd like we can compare case measurements between your black dial model and my white dial model.
Below are the three ads, as well as a pic of my white dialed "Air Warden".
I agree Lisa, accurate measuremants are in order here.
Subject watch and the other black dialed watch both are dated to 1944 and both have the 10BS movement. Your example and the other white dialed watch are earlier examples with 10AK and 10AX respectively. Also note the difference in the minute and seconds chapters between the black and whites dials.
Yes, I do see the differences between the minutes and seconds chapters. The two black dialed models are a match to each other, and the three white dialed models are a match to each other. It would appear that we're definitely dealing with two different models. Just which--if either--is the Air Warden is not clear.
I can't get a clear enough view of any of the Air Warden ads to determine what the minutes and seconds chapters look like. Can anyone else?
Measurements on my white dial model are:
34mm lug to lug x 25.8mm without crown and lugs
Crystal: 22.3mm
The case size is: 26mm. dia. 34mm long. 14mm. lug gape. As you say, there is a dfference in the dials. I have noticed also the sub-seconds on the other black dialled one in the DB has a numbered track like mine, whilst the 2 "white" ones have batons, as does yours. I did notice that the "Water-tite" next to the "Nighthawk" in the 1941 ad has a numbered sub-dial, and the 5 & 7 don't encroach on the dial but use a different font.