This watch arrived as part of a clearance lot along with another Watch, which is exactly the same model, . Both appear to be in brand-new condition cosmetically, with no visible signs of wear or use. The protective plastic seal is still on the Crystal in both cases and also on the packaging. However, there was a tag attached marked "check," which prompted us to carry out some basic functionality tests.
We ran the watches for 2 hours in the office and confirmed that both keep time accurately. The hands, crown, and other functions are all working as expected. Based on our checks, there are no immediate faults to report.
That said, given the possibility that they have been in storage for an extended period, so may benefit from a routine service—such as lubrication or minor regulation—to ensure long-term accuracy and reliability. This would be standard practice for any timepiece that has been dormant for a while, even if it's otherwise performing well.
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FACTORY DESCRIPTION
SKU Code: SELZ/KM1
Selza* WW2 Kriegsmarine Pattern Automatic Watch
Classic Military Design – 21 Jewel Automatic Movement
This automatic self-winding watch is a faithful recreation of the classic World War II-era designs produced for the Kriegsmarine (German Navy). Inspired by original watches manufactured by Selza, it features a small subsidiary seconds dial, light-coloured cream dial, and the historically accurate “K.M.” marking—an abbreviation for Kriegsmarine—on the dial.
Unlike the darker dials used for other branches of the German forces, Kriegsmarine timepieces typically featured light-toned dials in cream or white, providing better visibility at sea. This model closely replicates one of Selza's original wartime designs, which are now rare collector’s items commanding high prices on the vintage market.
Key Historical and Technical Details:
The acrylic crystal stays true to the original, preserving the authentic 1940s look.
The original 15-jewel hand-wound movement has been upgraded to a 21-jewel automatic self-winding movement, which can also be manually wound when required.
The stainless steel case is manufactured from military-grade 316L steel, offering superior durability.
Other modern enhancements—such as the hacking function—have been discreetly integrated to improve daily usability without altering the watch’s vintage appearance.
Historical Background
During WWII, Selza and Siegerin were two of the primary suppliers of watches to the Kriegsmarine. They also manufactured watches for the Luftwaffe, Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers), and Flak (anti-aircraft) units. Much like the British forces’ Dirty Dozen watches, German military watches shared common case designs and layouts—but the German supply chain was far more fragmented, with over 100 different manufacturers involved, compared to just 12 used by the British War Ministry.
An enthusiast-curated list of these German WWII watch manufacturers is available at: 🔗 https://military-watches.net/ww2-german-watches Collectors are welcome to contribute any missing details to help complete the archive.
Product Specification
Case Diameter: 36.5 mm (excluding crown), 39 mm (including crown)
For comparison, the last image in the gallery shows an original wartime Selza watch, highlighting how faithfully this modern version captures the spirit and style of the original 1940s military timepieces.
