Leaning into the WWII history of the surrounding land, League One side Lincoln City have partnered with watchmakers Roskopf to produce a limited edition Lancaster watch, with a design paying tribute to the iconic plane and the 617 Squadron who flew them.
Here in the SoccerBible offices we’re suckers for a design with a good story behind it, whether it be jerseys, boots, or even watches. Yes, watches. And this particular story caught our attention as it’s not every day that we get to talk about the Lancaster Bomber – one of the greatest war planes of all time – in connection with football (sure, it’s not quite at Spitfire levels, but still a big hitter from the Battle of Britain). Good old League One side Lincoln City have given us that opportunity thanks to a partnership with Roskopf, a watch brand with whom Lincolnshire has shared aviation history.
Lincolnshire has such a close identity with the RAF (thousands of people risked their lives flying from air bases in the county during the war (there were 64 bases in the county) and Roskopf watches were a favourite of pilots during World War Two. And so Lincoln City have partnered with the watch brand for a special edition piece, limited to just 100 units, that pays tribute to the famous 617 Squadron based at RAF Scampton in Lincoln and the club's main fan group by the same name.
For those that aren’t familiar, the Lancaster bomber was used in the famous Dambusters raid by the 617 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton to the north of the city (and next to Lincoln City's training ground).
The design of the watch features a silhouette of the plane and the squadron’s motto "Après moi, le déluge" – this is a key part of Lincoln's history and as a club/fanbase, Lincoln City really lean into it and have adopted it as part of their identity. The watch face, with a sleek white design against a black background, also features the Imps' iconic badge.
To promote the watch, Lincoln's Lewis Montsma was shot with the iconic plane by club photographer, Chris Vaughan, even getting to take a seat behind the famous controls.
The Lincoln City x Roskopf 'Lancaster' watch is available from the club shop, priced at a ridiculously reasonable £59.99 (almost enough to make us honorary Lincoln supporters), while they can also be purchased over the phone at 01522 458884.
