£3,000
Rare and Unique Breitling Avenger Blackbird 'Special Reconnaissance Unit' Limited Edition DLC titanium automatic gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. V17310SA/BF40, serial no. 2959xxx, circa 2016, circular black dial inscribed 'Luke 14:23' 'SRU' over the Special Reconnaissance Unit motif, with baton markers, minute markers, inner bezel with 10/100 scale, date aperture and sweep centre seconds with red pointer, rotating bezel, Breitling screw down crown, the case back featuring the Special Reconnaissance Unit motif and inscribed 'Special Reconnaissance Unit, Luke 14:23, Phil North' and numbered '48/55', Breitling fabric and leather strap with signed buckle, 49mm bezel
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** Breitling pouch and International Warranty dated 23-11-2016
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** This rare and unique timepiece was issued to Colonel Philip Wilkinson, Special Reconnaissance Unit of the British Army and features the inscription 'Special Reconnaissance Unit' and motif along with Colonel Wilkinson's cover name 'Phil North' and year of birth '48' (48/55)
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** The Special Reconnaissance Unit (SRU) was a unit of the Intelligence and Security Group which conducted operations in Northern Ireland
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** Luke 14:23 - The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 14, Verse 23: "Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full"
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** 'Colonel Philip Wilkinson, OBE, attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served for 31 years in the British Army with the Royal Artillery, Commando and Parachute Brigades and Special Forces and with the intelligence community in the Far East, Middle East and Northern Ireland, where he spent six years for which he was honoured an MBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II for distinguished work in Northern Ireland. In his last job in the Army, he was the principal author of the first British Joint Warfare Publication (JWP 3-50 Peace Support Operations) For his doctrinal work, he was honoured an OBE'.
'During his military service he gradually came to the understanding that the achievement of peace required a comprehensive approach that addressed the causes and consequences of conflict and not just the symptoms. These thoughts were crystallised during his four years as a senior research fellow at the Centre for Defence Studies at King’s College, London. After King’s College, he was deployed as the international advisor to President Kagame in Rwanda for one year and President Karzai in Afghanistan for two years before supporting the National Security Advisor in Baghdad for three years. More recently, he spent fifteen months in the occupied Palestinian territories before deploying to Somalia for three years to support the President and Minister of Internal Security. These positions have given Colonel Wilkinson a unique perspective of international intervention operations'.
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** To be sold with a copy of Colonel Philip Wilkinson's biography & autobiography 'Sharpening The Weapons Of Peace', published 2021. 'Many others have written of their observations from the outside looking in, Colonel Wilkinson has had the privilege of being part of the host government looking out. Many may find his observations unsettling!'
Box and Papers - yes.
Movement - currently functioning.
Dial - good.
Glass - good.
Hands - good.
Case - good.
Crown - adjusting correctly.
Strap - good.
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Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
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