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On Thursday 23rd November, Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham a specially commissioned watch belonging to a member of the Metropolitan Police’s elite firearms unit will be offered for auction in The Luxury Watch Sale. The original owner (pictured) was one of the first responders at the 2017 Westminster Terrorist Attack at The Houses of Parliament and is still a serving officer in this unit. The Special Edition Breitling SuperOcean Heritage watch was a bespoke commission for members of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Firearms Command.

The Specialist Firearms Command (MO19) is a specialised unit within the Metropolitan Police Service in London, dedicated to dealing with armed incidents and providing armed support to other police units. This elite unit is trained to handle a wide range of situations that involve firearms, from armed robberies to hostage takings and terrorist situations. This branch of London’s Metropolitan Police are known as ‘the Trojans of London’. It has been said that this name came from the fact that their Armed Response Vehicles look much like any other police car, yet inside are these elite officers. Others posit that it is related to the helmets that make up their uniform.

Only 40 of these rare pieces were produced in 2022 with the edition number inscribed on the case of the watch, as well as the coat of arms of the unit, and the text ‘Specialist Firearms Command’.
Other tailored features of this watch include the iconic Firearms Command insignia, a Trojan Helmet on the dial, as well as the Roman numerals XIX, referring to the Unit’s designation of MO19. There is also a yellow 19 on the chapter ring. This appears to be a reference to the circular yellow stickers placed in the window of all Armed Response Vehicles. Additionally, on the reverse of the watch the shoulder number and name of the officer who originally purchased the piece is inscribed. They have also provided a signed letter of provenance to be sold with the piece.
Lot 265 in The Luxury Watch Sale on Thursday 23rd November 2023 is a Breitling – a Specialist Firearms Command SuperOcean Heritage with an estimate: £4,500 – £6,500.

Nathan Boot from the Fellows Watch Team said: “As one would expect with Breitling, it is a superb timepiece on its own, with high-quality construction and using Breitling’s dependable B20 calibre. That it comes with a box, papers, and the letter of provenance make it a collector’s dream. Ultimately, though, the interest in this watch is not in its timekeeping abilities. Its provenance and association with some of the most important members of the Metropolitan Police is what makes it a fascinating proposition in our upcoming Luxury Watch sale.”

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