Serial number insert – Recast from Spitfire AA810 Merlin engine casing
Secret Morse code message displayed on the watch back. Special on/off lume print, only visible under a UV torch. Message reads “ESCAPE TUNNEL HARRY 22.30, 24-03-1944 51.5986N-15.3075E”
The S5e comes on a choice of straps, from standard rubber to integrated rubber, leather to our newly designed metal bracelet.
Standard Rubber
Integrated Rubber
Black Leather
Metal Bracelet
Design Attributes
- Latitude and Longitude reference POW camp Stalag Luft III.
- Date code references when Spitfire AA810 was shot down
- Black dial based on a Dirty Dozen concept with segmented coloured countdown and highlighted, lumed 6 o’clock seconds subdial
- Serial number side insert cast from AA810 Spitfire metal
Machining Standards
- Five-axis, aerospace grade
Assembly
- Hand-assembled, regulated, and tested in-house
Case
- 42mm diameter, 316L Stainless Steel, overall matt finish
- Zero West DualConcentricConstruction™ (DCC™)
- Polised stainless steel back with inset reverse printed sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 10ATM (100m)
Main Crown
- Matt silver finished sprung, screw-down with triple seal technology
Crystal
- Front: Tactical deep chamfered and optically corrected sapphire crystal
- Rear: Reverse printed graphic concealing hidden lume message
Movement
- Sellita SW261-1 ‘Top Premium Grade’
- In house regulated
- 28,800vph
- 31 jewels
- Self-winding ball bearing rotor
- Power reserve ~41 hours
Dial
- Black dial based on a Dirty Dozen concept with segmented coloured countdown and highlighted, lumed 6 o’clock seconds subdial
Numerals & Hands
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Oversize Superluminova stencil numerals around the clock; aviation black and white sword hands with inlaid Superluminova and matching lumed second hand
- Recessed seconds subdial at 6 o’clock
Dimensions
- 42mm diameter
- 12.2mm thick
- 22mm lug width
- 47mm lug to lug pin spacing
Standard Strap
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22/20mm Zero West custom Military and aerospace grade cross-linked fluoroelastomer rubber. 1 fixed and 1 sliding keeper
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Reverse sculptured relief
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Matt finish
- Polished buckle with engraved ZW logo
Each model in the collection continues to reflect Zero West’s commitment to precision engineering, innovative DualConcentricConstruction™, and distinctive design elements.
TIME: 05/03/1942 – PLACE: 51.605°N 15.309°E
Sandy Gunn and Spitfire AA810
Flight Lieutenant Alastair ‘Sandy’ Gunn was a courageous pilot in the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU), an elite group tasked with flying unarmed Spitfires deep into enemy territory to gather critical intelligence. On 5th March 1942, during a high-risk mission to photograph the German battleship Tirpitz in Norway, Gunn’s Spitfire AA810 was intercepted and shot down by two Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Though he initially evaded capture, he was eventually caught and interned in the infamous Stalag Luft III prison camp.
Determined to resist even in captivity, Gunn became part of the daring mass breakout later immortalized in The Great Escape. In March 1944, alongside 75 other POWs, he crawled through the painstakingly dug tunnel Harry into the freezing night, risking everything for a chance at freedom. But reality was far harsher than the Hollywood version of events. The escape was gruelling, fraught with tension, and ultimately, most of the men were recaptured. In an act of brutal retribution, Hitler personally ordered the execution of 50 of the escapees—Sandy Gunn among them.
His life was cut short, but his extraordinary bravery and the sacrifices of the PRU pilots stand as a testament to their unwavering courage and determination. They flew alone, unarmed, and deep behind enemy lines, knowing the risks yet never hesitating. Gunn’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and an unbreakable spirit—one that deserves to be remembered.
Today, the restoration of Spitfire AA810, led by Tony Hoskins, aims to honour the bravery of PRU pilots like Gunn. Discovered in Norway’s Surnadal hills, the aircraft is being returned to its former glory, with Zero West sponsoring the cockpit instrumentation. This project not only revives a piece of history but also commemorates the courage of those who flew unarmed into enemy territory. Gunn’s story, from his daring missions to his role in the Great Escape, remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.
Recovery Team Norway
Spitfire Cowling
Fuselage Jig
RECASTING HISTROY FOR THE S5e
Zero West Watches has crafted a truly unique tribute to aviation history by incorporating original aluminium alloy salvaged from the legendary Spitfire AA810 into its latest timepiece edition. AA810, a PRU (Photo Reconnaissance Unit) Spitfire, carried out critical intelligence missions during World War II before being lost for decades and later recovered. To honour its legacy, 100 serial number plates were meticulously cast from this rare material for the S5e, each forming a distinctive part of the watch’s design. These plates serve as a direct connection to the aircraft, preserving its story in a tangible and enduring way.
Creating the lost wax mould
Merlin engine casing AA810
Melting the alloy in a furnace
The investment casting process behind these plates was a masterclass in precision and heritage craftsmanship. The original master part was designed and 3D printed in-house before being used to create wax replicas for lost wax casting—one of the oldest and most refined metalworking techniques. One of Britain’s last remaining lost wax investment casters then hand-cast each plate by melting the historic alloy and vacuum-casting it into moulds, ensuring high-integrity, homogenous castings. Once cast, the plates were carefully de-sprued, hand-finished, and laser-engraved before being fitted to the watches. Each piece is completely unique, carrying the spirit of AA810 and cementing its legacy in a timepiece built to last for generations.
Pouring into the mould
Raw cast aluminum parts
Finishing the cast part
ONLY 100 BUILDS