A-11 1940s WWII Pattern Military Watch (Automatic) Brushed Steel Finish with 100m Water Resistance
DW584
Model: A-11/100 (2019)
Condition: Good but needs a crystal replacement
Fault: The watch was dropped and is not running and needs a new crystalSKU 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, screw caseback and 100 m 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 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 base metal (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 they 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, shatter and scratch resistant sapphire crystal, 100 m water resistance and screw caseback.
SPECIFICATION
- Width Inc Crown: 40 mm
- Width Exc Crown: 38 mm
- Thickness: 11.5 mm
- Weight: 61g
- Lug Size: 20 mm
- Lug to lug is 45mm
- 100 m Water Resistance
- Screw caseback and crown
- 24 jewel, mechanical self-winding automatic movement, with "Hacking"
- 20 mm Canvas Strap