Watchmaker creates timepiece with remains of Spitfire that went down over France during Second World War
A watchmaker has created a timepiece from the remains of a Spitfire aircraft which went down over France during the Second World War.
In a tribute to Britain's once golden industry of watchmaking, designer Colin Andrews created 60 of the pieces, of which 58 have already been sold.
The timepiece, made by the Great British Watch Company with hands, dial and crown from the iconic wartime aircraft, will set you back £19,950.
While watchmaking is nowadays associated with the Swiss, Britain has a rich horological heritage and developed much of the technology still used in modern watches.
Mr Andrews said he wanted to 'remedy' the lost art and 'reinvigorate' the tradition with the help of the Spitfire, which was downed on July 30 1944.
A watchmaker has created a timepiece out of parts of a World War Two Spitfire
The Spitfire watch, of which so far 60 pieces have been made, costs £19,950
The MK 9 Spitfire ML295 was shot down in July 1944 and was left buried in the ground until 1980. It was returned to England for a £3million restoration in 2017
He told the Times that making 60 pieces was a 'pipe dream', but the watch has proven to be 'incredibly propular'.
A second series of up to 40 pieces, taking the collection to almost 100, could be made, he said, depending on the amount of material available.
The aircraft in question was carrying Harold Kramer of the Royal Canadian Air Force 'Grizzly Bear' squadron, when it was shot down.
While the MK 9 Spitfire ML295 was severely damaged, but Kramer survived after being hidden in a cottage by the French Resistance until liberation.
Colin Andrews (pictured) used parts from the Spitfire after discovering the old aircraft, which had been acquired by a man being taught by his pilot cousin
The rest of the parts have been sourced locally, including the box, which is made from wood used to make Spitfire propellers
The plane was discovered in 1980 and remained in a museum until 2017, when it was acquired by Graham Oliver, who returned it to England for a £3million restoration.
Mr Oliver was being taught by Mr Andrews' pilot cousin when the watchmaker, who worked at Watches of Switzerland, had the idea to use its old parts in a timepiece.
Aside from the aircraft parts, Mr Andrews sourced the rest of the material for his five-year project as locally as possible, including the box - which is made from wood used to make a Spitfire's propeller.
He said: 'It’s effectively you being able to wind the watch and set the time while touching a piece of [the Spitfire], and watching the time on a piece of it.'
