MWC's Vietnam Watches are virtually identical in appearance to those used by American troops during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and early 1970s. While these watches closely resemble the original 1968 model shown in the final image, the originals were made of plastic and considered disposable by the US military. The initial specification aimed to create a cheap and simple "campaign" watch for infantry and other MOS (Military Occupational Specialties). The W46374 spec was a cost-effective alternative to the MIL-W-3818B, calling for a non-maintainable watch in a plastic case, powered by a non-hacking movement. It required minimal water resistance, protection from shock and vibration, extreme temperature tolerance, and sufficient luminosity for nighttime visibility. The original 1968 watches had a green olive plastic case and a diameter of just under 36mm, making this watch identical in terms of dimensions and general appearance.
Transition to Metal Casings:
Over 20 years ago, MWC decided to transition from plastic to metal construction for the entire range of these watches. This change addressed the shortcomings of the original plastic models. The MWC design team rethought the watch while retaining the original appearance. This upgrade to a metal case and a hackable movement resulted in watches that are vastly superior in durability and overall quality to the 1968 originals while maintaining the original watch's appearance.
Specifications:
Thickness: 8 mm
Strap Size: 18 mm
Strap Type: US Pattern Military Strap
Width Including Crown: 36 mm
Width Excluding Crown: 33 mm
Crystal Diameter: 29 mm
Movement: Hackable Quartz
Battery Type: R626SW, Energizer 377, or equivalent
Supplied in a tin
The final image shows one of the original watches from 1968.
