Vintage Certina Chronolympic combat aviators’ chronograph 1972 Air Force issue watch Gentlemen, today I’m proud to offer you a truly unique and super rare watch. What we are looking at is a limited edition Certina Chronolympic aviators’ chronograph.Those of you, who know the subject, will immediately notice that this watch looks exactly like an Eterna Chrono. However, every major part of this watch is marked Certina. The story behind the watch is not entirely clear. Here are the facts:I have purchased this watch form a retired Hungarian Air Force helicopter pilot. He told me that the fresh graduates of the Hungarian Air Force pilot academy received a series of these watches in 1972. These chronographs were designated strictly as service watches, which meas that the watches were supposed to remain the property of the Hungarian Air Force and they were not owned by the pilots.The pilots, who wore these watches served on the freshly introduced Russian Mi-24PN combat helicopters.The Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter. Pilots called the Mi-24 the "flying tank”. In 1989 socialism in Hungary came to an end, the Warsaw Pact (mutual defense treaty between eight communist States of Central and Eastern Europe during the Cold War) disbanded in 1991 and the Hungarian Air Force was radically restructured as well. The Combat Helicopter Battalion of the 86th Wing had been disbanded. Most old timer pilots were sent off to retirement and few people cared much about such little things as wristwatches when whole combat helicopters, fighter planes and AFV’s of all kinds were being auctioned off for scrap metal and entire airfields were sold for private investors. Less than 100 pilots graduated in 1972. I am not aware of any other watches of this series being in existence.  I tried to conduct a little research to shed some more light on this matter but couldn’t fine precise data. You mind, co-operation between western countries and Hungary was very limited as we were on the other side of the Iron Curtain. I’ve contacted Ms. Brigitt Illi, PR Manager at Certina who was very kind and tried to help me, but unfortunately Certina has no records available. “We’re very sorry but unfortunately we found nothing about that model. We have no archive books with the produced series that time. We checked the material we have, but we found nothing.  We regret that we can’t give you more information.” I also contacted Mr. Urs Hiltbrunner, Head of After Sales Service at Eterna.He was also very kind and provided me with the following information:“It is an original Certina and they used the same case like Eterna. Only the movement is different Eterna was with the Valjoux 726 and Certina with the Valjoux 728.With the series number 5657000 I found following information:Series number: 5657000Reference: 154FTPMovement: Cal. 1492Year of production: 1972” Pascal, who operates the website www.vintagecertinas.ch was also very helpful. He informed me that “Of this reference similar models from Longines, Mido, Rado and Technos (and it seems Eterna) were available. Those brands were consolidated in the GWC (General Watch Co.) at that time. The models vary generally in different dial designs.”I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the above people again for the information they provided.   This is all I know about this watch.  The back cover bears the following serial number: 48 73904 41Below, hardly visible:5657000Stainless Steel case and screw back coverDiameter without crown is circa 40 mm. One thing is for sure: this is a rare and unique piece of aviation history. It is most unlikely any of us will come across another one. Trust me, I have been asking around locally without any success, although I know many of the best known watch enthusiasts in Hungary.  The watch is in excellent working condition. I have had it freshly cleaned and serviced. I have had the acrylic crystal replaced. I will include the original used one for you which is marked with the Eterna star. (quite scratched)
 The only issue I must point out is that the crown is somewhat damaged.I didn’t want to replace it as it is original and does not affect functioning at all.The steam is fine.In my personal opinion a little battle scar only gives further character to a vintage military aviator’s watch. Comes on brand new, period correct NATO strap. Bid with confidence, you won’t be disappointed. Please note before buying !! Works perfectly all functions   FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTION