This Classic Kamikaze Aviator Watch is one of MWC’s historic WW2 pilot watch recreations. The original model—known as the Seikosha Tensoku (Seikosha later became Seiko)—was introduced in 1940 and used extensively throughout the war. This modern version pays tribute to those original timepieces, using a high-quality Japanese automatic movement from the same manufacturer that made the originals.
Unlike most other WW2 military watches, the design is strikingly distinctive. While often associated with Kamikaze pilots, the original watches were actually worn by the majority of Japanese pilots flying the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the primary fighter aircraft used during the Pacific air war. These planes were indeed used in Kamikaze missions later in the conflict, but also saw widespread use in many other air operations.
The caseback features the Japanese inscription 特別攻撃隊 (Tokubetsu Kōgekitai), which translates to "Special Attack Corps."
You can see examples of original watches in the final two images. These originals are extremely rare and typically command very high prices—often between €14,000 and €22,000 at auction. They frequently exceed their estimates by a wide margin:
The oversized 46mm case, authentic vintage styling, and commanding wrist presence make this a real conversation piece—especially among collectors and aviation enthusiasts. It has a 41-hour power reserve and can also be hand-wound if needed.
Dial: Black with white numerals and sweeping second hand
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Crown: Screw-down
Water Resistance: 100m / 330ft
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Strap: 24mm high-quality stitched leather
Caseback: Stainless steel with engraved Japanese script
Why Sapphire Crystal?
We’re often asked: Why use sapphire over mineral glass?
The answer is simple—durability. Synthetic sapphire is extremely strong, scratch-resistant, and shatter-resistant. That’s why it’s the go-to choice for military personnel, security forces, law enforcement, and outdoor adventurers—who make up over 70% of our customer base.
Even hardened mineral crystals can’t compete when it comes to real-world impact resistance. We’ve found that over 90% of crystal damage cases involve mineral glass, not sapphire.
To make it even tougher, the sapphire is heat-treated to eliminate internal stress and then finished with two layers of anti-reflective coating. (Fun fact: Apple now uses sapphire glass in the latest iPhones.)
Of course, sapphire comes at a premium—but if you need reliability in tough conditions, it’s worth every cent.
