1990’s Breitilng Emergency E56121 RAF Squadron No. 28 Westland Hessex

Up for grabs is a Breitling Emergency

Frist version of Emergency, reference E56121 made in the 1990’s with tritium lume

Special order unit for Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron No. 28 with their logo on the left side of the dial and a logo of RAF Westland Wessex HC2 helicopter.

Though I have seen some other RAF Squadron Emergencies before, I have never seen this particular one, with No. 28 and furthermore with a helicopter added. The watch was found in Hong Kong, which I thought was interesting for such watch to be in that market. The watch came from a another dealer, without boxes or paperwork, so there was no story to tell about it or history to learn. Based on my research, it made sense why the watch was in HK. Squadron No. 28 serves as the RAF’s Operational Conversion Unit. The OCU is a unit within an air force whose role is to support preparation for the operational missions of a specific aircraft type by providing trained personnel. Operational conversion units teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons. The Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force, among others, practise this method of training. The United States Navy calls its units in this role “fleet replacement squadrons”. This is where the logo of a helicopter started to make sense. The Westland Wessex HC2 helicopter was introduced to the squadron from January 1972 and the Whirlwinds operated until August 1972. On 17 May 1978 the squadron moved to RAF Sek Kong and stayed until 1 November 1996. The squadron returned to Kai Tak from then until disbanded on 3 June 1997 prior to the British withdrawal from Hong Kong on 1 July, with the squadron’s Wessexes being sold to Uruguay. It was the last RAF squadron to leave the territory. Based on this information we can assume that this watch was owned by one of the pilot trainers for the Westland Wessex HC2. How many were ordered and who exactly received them will remain a mystery for now.

Onto the watch itself:

Condition of the case is sharp without and dings or dents or deep scratches.

Beautiful dial with out damage. Hands appear original.

Bracelet is a Professional 1 with some stretch from use.

No box or papers.