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(ad is left here for reference purposes only)...A rare piece of 20th Century World and MiLiTARY History!
This Rhodesian MiLiTARY Issue (with rare ‘RA’ Ordnance numbers) 70s ROAMER ANFiBiO watch!

Again...a Rhodesian Military Issue 1970s ROAMER ANFiBiO watch with the ‘RA’ (for Rhodesia) Ordnance numbers on the back! For those not familiar with this Cult timepiece, here’s an outlandishly brief history (and you can check out more on this watch at: http://www.freewebs.com/billyschorr/militaryroameranfibios.htm

This was ‘the’ chosen timepiece of Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith’s apartheid government as it fought against rebels seeking it’s overthrow. Declaring independence from Britain in 1965, the Rhodesians (including both black and white soldiers) fought several black guerilla groups against increasing odds and violence until 1979 when an agreement allowed the Brits to resume control briefly, and see the country through elections in 1980.

The Roamer Anfibio watch was a rugged and hardy Swiss military water resistant watch that apparently was smuggled from Britain, through sympathetic South Africa, into Rhodesia for use and issue as Rhodesia’s Military watch.

The Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Military Issue watch was made by Roamer from 1974 until the late 70s and became the iconic watch of the war, mainly because it was an actual ordnance issued watch, and was issued and in use by the Rhodesians documentably during the heaviest portion of the war, from 1974 to it’s end. This Roamer Anfibio was used by virtually all units of the Rhodesian forces including the famous Selous Scouts, Rhodesian SAS and air force, etc.

THiS particular ROAMER ANFiBiO watch is typical of this 17-jewel hacking timepiece, HOWEVER, this Roamer Anfibio has the RARER ‘RA’ (standing for the country of Rhodesia) Ordnance numbers on the back. Many if not most of these Rhodesian Military Roamer Anfibio watches had ‘ZA’ ordnance numbers, standing for Zuid Afrika, or South Africa, since all or most of these Roamer Anfibio Rhodesia Military watches came to Rhodesia through South Africa, the lone government willing to break the worldwide boycott of Rhodesia, and funnel in military materiel, including these watches.

This RoamerAnfibio Rhodesian Military Issue watch is incredibly rare. The only place to buy legitimate Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Military watches is from the few private owners or collectors willing to part with them. I actually purchased this to collect, but, as always, I have found other watches calling, and I can’t keep everything.

A warning for true collectors. Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Military watches made from buckets of decommissioned worn Roamer parts were purchased by a dealer, who does at times sell them. These watches are pieced together from worn dials, movements, and other parts, with worn cases that have been highly polished down. Nothing wrong, however, do know what you are getting.

The watch shown here was made, and issued, with all the parts shown. It has not been polished or buffed, in order, to maintain it’s historical value. This Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Issue Military watch has been fully serviced, and is in excellent condition with moderate surface wear that was from it’s years of service in the Rhodesian Military. For a true collector of Military Issue Ordnanced timepieces, such as the iconic Rhodesian Military Roamer Anfibio watch, this would be one of the finest examples you are likely to find. I purchased personally from a collector, and had planned to keep it. Ahhh, all the watches I planned to keep!

The Roamer Anfibio comes with a rare and hardy MST520 17-jewel hacking manual wind movement running at 21600 bph. This model has no date window, and the movement has no date module, though these were made with the crown pulling out three clicks because the date models use the same stock movement, but with a date module added. Supplied, as the originals were, on a black leather strap, though many units switched them over to a leather covered case, which is available various places online.

This is the only one I have. If interested I’d suggest using the paypal link to make sure you get it asap.