*British, WW2, “Celeste” Smiths Military Darkroom Timer in Bakelite Case – Cat. No. W6/JD/7490*
A large and impressive Second World War military darkroom timer, housed in a deep brown Bakelite case with its original glass and steel backplate. The dial is printed “Celeste”, Made in England, and carries the War Department Broad Arrow together with the catalogue reference W6/JD/7490, confirming it as officially issued British military photographic equipment.
The timer displays a bold 0–12 minute outer scale with an inner 0–120 seconds scale, read by dual pointer hands with a central locking knob. The substantial Bakelite case, steel rear plate and robust wall-mount lugs are all typical of wartime industrial manufacture, where durability and precision were essential for photographic development.
Historical Note: The Celeste name appears on several British clocks and nautical timers produced in the 1930s–50s and is strongly associated with Smiths, the United Kingdom’s largest clock and instrument manufacturer of the era. Smiths divisions supplied timing and measuring instruments to the War Office, Admiralty, Air Ministry, and RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Units throughout WW2. The dial design, typography, and case construction of this timer closely align with known Smiths industrial and maritime clocks. The presence of the WD catalogue number W6/JD/7490 places this timer in the same War Department coding block as WD-issue Leica cameras and other photographic equipment, confirming its use in military darkrooms, most likely within RAF reconnaissance, Intelligence Corps processing rooms, or naval onboard photo sections where precise development timing was vital.
Measurements: Top diameter: 26.2 cm. Height: 7.5 cm. Base diameter: 29.4 cm
*Condition* Displays clear and honest wartime character. The dial shows age toning, staining, foxing and some cracking to the lacquer. Glass intact. Bakelite case with surface scratches, rubbing, and handling wear. Steel backplate with paint loss, scuffs and functional mounting lugs present. Mechanism is untested. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
