Bomb Timer MINERVA (Luftwaffe & Regia Aeronautica), circa 1940

Bomb Timer produced by Minerva around 1940, complete with its original leather strap. It was used by the personnel assigned to the Pointer-Bomb Dropper system on board the bombing planes of the Regia Aeronautica during the Second World War.

The Bomb Timer was placed in a special housing called "Jozza", an instrument that was part of a targeting system through which the times for dropping the bombs were calculated. However, for the personnel in charge of this maneuver, it was customary (probably for more practical use) to wear it over the flight suit, thanks to its large and sturdy leather strap supplied.

The Bomb Timer dial is divided into 60 seconds; internally there is a scale of flight altitudes, divided into hectometers (hm) and each altitude is marked corresponding to the duration of the falling trajectory of the bombs. There is also a triangular index, movable in both directions via the ring, which could be stopped in any position on the dial.

On the dial, a small minute counter sphere (max.15) provides the total number of minutes elapsed since the operator started the chronometer.

The chronograph, complete with its original strap, is in excellent condition, the movement in all its mechanisms working perfectly.