This recreation closely mirrors the original World War Two design from 1943 but is enhanced with modern features, including a high-performance self-winding 24-jewel mechanical movement, sapphire crystal, screw caseback, and 100m water resistance. During WWII, watches were produced in various styles by Elgin, Bulova, and Waltham, all adhering to a US government specification. This model closely resembles the Elgin 539, which used a 15 or 16-jewel movement and was made for the USAAF between 1940 and 1945. While the original watch was made from plated base metal to conserve steel, this modern recreation is crafted from solid stainless steel, ensuring greater durability.
The creation of this particular model began in January 2009 when MWC was approached by a US veterans association to produce a watch identical in appearance to those made by Hamilton, Bulova, and Benrus during the Vietnam War. MWC examined samples and original specification sheets, resulting in a watch very close to the original, featuring a high-grade fully jeweled hand-wound movement—the GG-W-113, which we still produce. Following this success, MWC was asked to recreate an even earlier model, now difficult to find in good condition due to the use of cheap metal during the war years.
Developed in 2019, this model retains the original appearance while incorporating multiple upgrades, including a screw-down crown, shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, 100m water resistance, and a screw caseback.
SPECIFICATIONS
Width Including Crown: 40mm
Width Excluding Crown: 38mm
Sapphire Crystal*
Thickness: 11.5mm
Weight: 61g
Lug Size: 20mm
Lug to Lug: 45mm
100m Water Resistance
Screw Caseback and Crown
24-Jewel Mechanical Self-Winding Automatic Movement with "Hacking"
20mm Canvas Strap
*Many people ask about the benefits of sapphire crystal over standard mineral crystal. Synthetic sapphire is by far the best material for watch crystals due to its strength and resistance to shattering and scratching. These characteristics make it appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and those with active outdoor lifestyles, who account for over 70% of our customers. When accidents result in a cracked crystal, over 90% involve watches with mineral glass crystals. Even hardened mineral crystals do not compare to sapphire for durability under adverse conditions. Sapphire crystals are so strong because they are heat-treated to remove internal stresses, then made into watch crystals with two layers of anti-reflective coating. Interestingly, sapphire crystal is now used on the latest iPhones. However, sapphire crystal comes at a higher price, which is why it is typically found on higher-end watches.
