(H) Milus Snow Star Heritage
Limited edition “Snow Star Heritage”
A watch at the heart of history
During the 1940s, US Navy pilots were given valuable tradable items along on their missions to ensure their survival. These “life barter kits” contained notably a Milus Snow Star watch. Today, Milus is paying homage to this flagship model from its own history – and history in general – by re-issuing the Snow Star in two limited editions, one in red gold and the other in steel. They come with cufflinks of very original design.
Navy pilots were sometimes forced to land in unknown, even hostile, territory. So the US Navy operating in the Pacific decided to give them hermetically sealed rubber boxes containing valuable items that would allow them, in the event of a parachute jump or forced landing, to negotiate for information, for their freedom or even their lives. This “life barter kit” contained among others two rings, a chain with a gold pendant and a watch from Milus, the Snow Star “Instant Date”, with an instant calendar and very stylish look. It was a choice that bore witness to the excellent technical and aesthetic reputation of the Swiss brand. In honour of the “Life barter kit”, which most probably saved many lives, Milus is now offering two exclusive editions of the Snow Star aimed at aficionados of beautiful watches rooted in history.
Limited edition “Snow Star Heritage” in 18-ct red gold
This watch in 18-ct red gold is being offered in a limited series of 99 numbered pieces. The 40-millimetre polished case contains an original, 1940’s manual movement that has been entirely overhauled, with a sweep second hand an instant date that appears in a window with a magnifying lens. The red gold underscores the timeless quality of the case, with its narrow, smooth bezel and incurved lugs. The dial is the epitome of readability and refinement, with a sun-brushed silvery backdrop and two types of applied facetted red gold-plated hour markers. The screwed case back reflects the aesthetics of the original timepiece: satined and polished finishing, engraved model name and historical Milus logo, a stylised rendition of the Greek god of travellers, Hermes, with his winged helmet. The watch has a black alligator strap and an ardillon buckle of 18-carat red gold, plus a changing system that does not require a tool. It comes with an additional aeronautic strap that celebrates the one found in the original “life barter kits”. The strap can be easily slid under the attachment bars.
As testimony to the “Life barter kit,” Milus decided to deliver the red-gold Snow Star watch with a piece of men’s “jewellery” related to the world of aviation: a pair of red gold cufflinks with a very original design. One represents an airplane from the front, with a golden propeller turning with the movements of the wearer’s wrist, the other is a real compass that will always indicate the right direction. It’s a playful accessory, sophisticated as well, like all Milus watches. The ensemble is presented in an elegant leather-covered box, with an 18-ct gold military identification tag showing the number of the limited edition.