Humphrey
Inspired by the daring rescue of British troops during the Falkland's conflict, The Winton Watch Company’s latest watch is equally at home under the sea as in the boardroom.
Hand assembled in Switzerland, the Humphrey is a true diver's watch - water resistant to 500m, with sapphire glass, it will take pretty much anything you care to throw at it.
With a blue dial, the timeless design features large ‘arrow’ pointers, making it easy to tell the time at a glance, and high luminescence means you can read it no matter what the conditions – whether diving wrecks or flagging a cab in the city.
The Humphrey includes a ceramic rotating bezel – a feature introduced in the early 1950s to track a diver’s bottom time, or time spent underwater. The bezel can also act as a reminder to prevent divers from exceeding their diving time limit.
It’s sister watch, the Lethbridge, has a black face and is inspired by the diving pioneer John Lethbridge.
Specification
- 316L stainless steel case
- Blue silicone and 316L stainless steel bracelet
- 44mm diameter
- Rotating ceramic bezel
- Screw down crown
- Helium escape valve
- Anti-reflective sapphire glass
- Hour markers with lume
- ‘Arrow’ pointers with lume infill strip
- Sweep second hand with lume pointer
- Date marker
- Exhibition case back with sapphire glass
- Up to 500m water resistance
Movement
- Ronda R150
- Swiss-made automatic mechanical movement
- 28,800 beats per hour
- 25 jewels
- Nivaflex main spring
- 40-hour power reserve
- Incabloc anti-shock system
- Hours, minutes, central sweeping seconds, date
Who was Humphrey?
Humphrey is one of the most famous aircraft from the late 20th century. Stationed aboard the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Antrim during the Falklands War in 1982, Humphrey (a Wessex HAS.3 (XP142)) led two other helicopters onto the Fortuna Glacier to drop special forces personnel who had orders to observe Argentinean positions at Grytviken. The weather rapidly deteriorated, forcing the troops to request evacuation. Using only its radar to guide them through the storm, Humphrey led the helicopters back to collect the troops. Following the other two helicopters crashing as they took off as a result of a blizzard, Humphrey made the return trip to safely evacuate all of the troops and crew. Just two days later, the helicopter and its crew located and rescued troops who were stranded in a boat and also took part in an attack on an enemy submarine.
In May 1982, HMS Antrim stood by the British landings on the Falkland Islands, and Humphrey was attacked by enemy jets, leaving holes in the helicopter that are still visible, but were patched with tape to keep it flying. Humphrey is now in the Fleet Air Arm Museum.