A-11 1940s WWII Pattern Military Watch (Automatic) with 100m Water Resistance - 1 Ex Display Watch from the 2023 DSIE Show at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London Docklands.
SKU Code: A-11/100
This recreation is based closely on the original World War Two design from 1943 but has the advantage that it is now equipped with a high performance self winding 24 jewel mechanical movement, glass crystal, screw caseback and 100m water resistance. The watches back in WW2 were made in a variety of slightly different styles by Elgin, Bulova and Waltham but were all based on an original US government specification laid down at the time. This watch is closest in appearance to the Elgin 539 which used a 15 or 16 jewel movement and were made for the USAAF between 1940 and 1945. The original watch was made from plated basemetal (to save steel) but this modern recreation is solid stainless steel so it should stand the test of time better than the originals.
This particular recreation came into being because in January 2009 MWC were approached by a US veterans association who asked them to examine the viability of making a watch which was identical in appearance to the original watches which were made by Hamilton, Bulova and Benrus during the Vietnam war. MWC were sent samples of watches to examine and also the original specification sheets and the result was a watch which was very close to the original and used a high grade fully jewelled handwound movement, this watch was the GG-W-113 which we still make. As a result of making that watch MWC were contacted again with a view to recreating this even earlier model because these are now almost impossible to find in good sound condition. The reason that finding one is good order is difficult is primarily because as outlined above most were made from 1943 onwards when resources were limited and hence cheap metal was used.
This model was developed in 2019 to retain the appearance of the original watches but with multiple upgrades such as screw down crown, 100m water resistance and screw caseback.
SPECIFICATION
- Width Inc Crown: 40mm
- Width Exc Crown: 38mm
- Hardened Crystal
- Thickness: 11.5mm
- Lug Size: 20mm
- Lug to lug is 45mm
- 100m Water Resistance
- Screw caseback and crown
- 24 jewel, mechanical self winding automatic movement. with "Hack System"
- 20mm Canvas Strap