A-11 1940s WWII Pattern Military Watch (Handwound)

SKU Code: A-11-HW

The A-11 was among the first military watches to be equipped with a sweep second hand. This recreation is based closely on the original World War Two design from 1943. The watches at the time 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 (this one has 24 jewels to improve accuracy) and was 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 we were approached by a US veterans association who asked us 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. We 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 uses a high grade fully jewelled handwound movement this watch is the GG-W-113 which we still make. As a result of making that watch we 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 dificult is primarily because as outlined above most were made from 1943 onwards when resources were limited and hence cheap metal was used.

SPECIFICATION

• Width Inc Crown: 39.9mm
• Width Exc Crown: 36mm
• Thickness: 11.5mm
• Lug Size: 18mm
• Lug to lug is 43mm
• 24 jewel, mechanical handwound movement with “Hack System”