What is this arrow / pyramid?
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Caspar
Every move you make, every step you take, I’ll be watching you…
Singapore
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Last active: 7 min ago
I think it's so pilots know the sky from the ground and don't crash.
Broad arrow.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
I think it's so pilots know the sky from the ground and don't crash.
Seriously? I’d love a pilot to explain to me how that could possible help. I mean if your plane is upside down (aka Maverkick in top gun) then checking your watch to figure out which way is up is going to end in tears…
Broad arrow.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
What is that?
Broad arrow.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
Ha. Interesting. Now I know!
ok, thanks chat GPT:
Pilot's watches often feature an arrow, primarily for historical and functional reasons:
Quick and Easy Reference: The primary function of the arrow, especially when prominently displayed on the 12 o'clock position, is to provide a quick and easy reference point. In a high-stress, time-sensitive environment like aviation, being able to rapidly ascertain the time without confusion is crucial. The arrow helps in quickly orientifying the watch's face, especially when a pilot might be disoriented or in low light conditions.
Historical Military Design: Many design elements of pilot's watches are derived from their historical military use. During World War II, British Ministry of Defence standard watches (often referred to as "W.W.W." watches, standing for Watch, Wrist, Waterproof) had a broad arrow mark, also known as the "pheon", to indicate government property. This symbol became synonymous with military equipment, including watches, and continues to influence the design of pilot watches today.
Navigation and Bearing Calculations: In some cases, the arrow can be part of a design that aids in navigation. For instance, in watches with a rotating bezel, the arrow can be used to mark a specific point in time or a navigation bearing. This can be useful for pilots in calculating elapsed time or in other navigational calculations.
Design Aesthetic: Beyond functionality, the arrow can also be a stylistic choice, giving the watch a distinctive look that harkens back to its historical roots. This can be particularly appealing to those who appreciate both the functionality and the history of aviation timepieces.
In summary, the arrow on pilot's watches serves both a functional purpose in aiding quick time reading and navigation, and a historical and aesthetic purpose, reflecting the watch's military heritage.
I think it's so pilots know the sky from the ground and don't crash.
If a pilot doesn't know the sky from the ground I think they have bigger problems than what the time is and I don't think that tiny arrow would help 😂
If a pilot doesn't know the sky from the ground I think they have bigger problems than what the time is and I don't think that tiny arrow would help 😂
“I wonder what time I’m going to hit the ground?”
ok, thanks chat GPT:
Pilot's watches often feature an arrow, primarily for historical and functional reasons:
Quick and Easy Reference: The primary function of the arrow, especially when prominently displayed on the 12 o'clock position, is to provide a quick and easy reference point. In a high-stress, time-sensitive environment like aviation, being able to rapidly ascertain the time without confusion is crucial. The arrow helps in quickly orientifying the watch's face, especially when a pilot might be disoriented or in low light conditions.
Historical Military Design: Many design elements of pilot's watches are derived from their historical military use. During World War II, British Ministry of Defence standard watches (often referred to as "W.W.W." watches, standing for Watch, Wrist, Waterproof) had a broad arrow mark, also known as the "pheon", to indicate government property. This symbol became synonymous with military equipment, including watches, and continues to influence the design of pilot watches today.
Navigation and Bearing Calculations: In some cases, the arrow can be part of a design that aids in navigation. For instance, in watches with a rotating bezel, the arrow can be used to mark a specific point in time or a navigation bearing. This can be useful for pilots in calculating elapsed time or in other navigational calculations.
Design Aesthetic: Beyond functionality, the arrow can also be a stylistic choice, giving the watch a distinctive look that harkens back to its historical roots. This can be particularly appealing to those who appreciate both the functionality and the history of aviation timepieces.
In summary, the arrow on pilot's watches serves both a functional purpose in aiding quick time reading and navigation, and a historical and aesthetic purpose, reflecting the watch's military heritage.
This is excellent. Gotta love our new AI overlords! (Hello by the way if you are watching)
Broad Arrow.
It’s the Broad arrow. MOD property.
As far as I know, all British military gear has that marking.
It’s the Broad arrow. MOD property.
As far as I know, all British military gear has that marking.
I was going to post an FS, but here are a couple more examples.
Your google-fu is weak:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
Your google-fu is weak:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
In fairness to my googling-skills, I wasn’t aware it was called a broad arrow. And the results for “arrow sign on watch” or “pyramid shape on watch” was not hugely satisfying!
Originally denoting UK Ministry of Defence property.
Now used by watch brands as a marketing gimmick to give a military vibe to wannabe military watches.
Broad arrow.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
I knew this is associated with Military watches. Thanks for posting I was unsure of exact definition.
UK / Commonwealth Broad Arrow
This article has bigly words about the broad arrow's history (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1179/003962611X13117748891958?needAccess=true).
Abstract
This paper should be of interest to any surveyor or family historian. The history of the broad arrow is one of intrigue and its origin is relatively unknown to many people. Its origin can be traced back to 1330 when it was used to establish ownership as the King's property. The King Edward III marked each item with an arrow from his own coat of arms. The use of the broad arrow as a government mark was not limited to England. It was also used to mark trees owned by the King in the colony of America and they initiated the position of “Surveyor-General of His Majesty's Woods”. The first use of the broad arrow in the colony of New South Wales had nothing to do with surveying. It marked the uniforms of the King's property -the uniforms of the convicts. It would also be used to mark government buildings of note. It would not be until an Act of Parliament (Act 16 Vic. No. 15), enacted 1852, that established the broad arrow for exclusive use of the Government and a year later, the Instruction for marking Crown Land by Government Surveyors was issued. Since that date, the broad arrow found its destiny as a survey mark and good examples can be still found across the state.
I’ve seen examples of wrought iron Broad Arrow stamps in museums here in New England that were used to mark trees. My understanding was that they were used to ID trees suitable for Royal Navy masts. Apparently there are still some living trees that were marked but never cut. Pretty cool.
It's a print that is on all Ministry of defence issued items from a dockworkers hammer to a military issued watch it's a United Kingdom military thing
The crow foot arrow is a mark the British military put on all the watches they issue not only pilots watches but field and dive watches they also allow some watch brands like vertex and omega on the no time to die seamaster to use the arrow due to the heritage they have supplying them
Issued watches will also have the arrow on the case back like this issued Hamilton chrono
It shows you where the 12 is 😉
Inspiried by the mark used on British military issued equipment? Theres somthing simular on the bond seamaster I beleive.
Inspiried by the mark used on British military issued equipment? Theres somthing simular on the bond seamaster I beleive.
It’s the same mark. The broad arrow, Ministry of defence, MOD
Omega had to get permission from MOD to use the broad arrow on the NTTD Seamaster.
This side up
They're all over the place if you keep your eye out
Yea that’s the broad arrow, typically denoting that it has been used in some sort of military capacity, extremely relevant for vertex watches as a brand, however I don’t think it’s regulated very tightly. For people saying it’s for pilots watches, there is occasionally triangles printed on the twelve o’clock, mostly IWC and others
Omega used it on at least one of its James Bond watches, bc hi is was ostensibly military issue.
Omega used it on at least one of its James Bond watches, bc hi is was ostensibly military issue.
It's a marking indicating British SAS or military issue watches, that's like their logo. If you watch the Mad Watch Collector he'll mention it sometimes, especially when discussing British watch companies that made military watches, which Vertex did, if I remember correctly.
This was part of the mil spec in the original “Dirty Dozen” watches for the British Military during WWII. The Broad Arrow or Pheon (which denotes property of the British Crown.) That is it. Period!!!!