A-11 1940s WWII Pattern Military Watch (Automatic) Brushed Steel Finish with 100m Water Resistance and Sapphire Crystal

Product Details

SKU Code: A-11/100-OM

This recreation closely follows the original 1943 World War II design but with modern enhancements, including a high-performance self-winding 24-jewel mechanical movement, sapphire crystal, screw-down caseback, and 100m water resistance. During WWII, watches were produced in various styles by Elgin, Bulova, and Waltham, based on a US government specification. This watch is most similar to the Elgin 539, which featured a 15 or 16-jewel movement and was made for the USAAF between 1940 and 1945. Unlike the original, which was made from plated base metal to conserve steel, this modern recreation uses solid stainless steel for greater durability.

Origin and Development

In January 2009, a US veterans association approached us to recreate a watch identical in appearance to those made by Hamilton, Bulova, and Benrus during the Vietnam War. After examining sample watches and original specification sheets, we produced a watch that closely resembled the original, using a high-grade fully jewelled handwound movement. This resulted in the GG-W-113, which we still manufacture. Following this success, we were asked to recreate an even earlier model, which led to the development of this A-11/100-OM model in 2019. It retains the appearance of the original watches but with significant upgrades, including a screw-down crown, shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, 100m water resistance, and a screw-down caseback.

Specification

• Width Including Crown: 40 mm
• Width Excluding Crown: 38 mm
• Crystal: Sapphire*
• Thickness: 11.5 mm
• Weight: 61g
• Lug Size: 20 mm
• Lug to Lug: 45 mm
• Water Resistance: 100 m
• Caseback and Crown: Screw-down
• Movement: 24-jewel, mechanical self-winding automatic with "Hacking"
• Strap: 20 mm Canvas

Benefits of Sapphire Crystal

Many people ask about the benefits of sapphire crystal over standard mineral crystal. Synthetic sapphire is the superior material for watch crystals due to its strength and resistance to shattering and scratching, making it ideal for military personnel, police officers, and active outdoor enthusiasts—groups that make up over 70% of our customers. When watches with mineral glass crystals sustain cracks, over 90% of the incidents involve mineral glass, even though we use hardened mineral crystals. Sapphire crystal undergoes heat treatment to remove internal stresses, increasing its durability. Additionally, two layers of anti-reflective coating are applied. Although sapphire crystal is more expensive and typically found on higher-end watches, its robustness makes it a worthwhile investment. Interestingly, sapphire crystal is now used on the latest iPhones.

In summary, this model not only honors the design of the original WWII watches but also incorporates modern features that enhance its functionality and durability, making it a perfect blend of vintage charm and contemporary technology.

• Delivery

  • Shipping Information

    Europe, UK, and Rest of World

    Tracked Mail:

    • Europe: €11.75 / £9.99 / US$12.95
    • UK: £7.95 / €9.50 / US$10.50
    • Rest of World: US$22.75 / €20.50 / £17.50

    Express Courier (UPS or FedEx):

    • Europe: €23.50 / £19.99 / US$25.95
    • UK (UPS/DPD):  £12.95 / €15.25 / US$16.95
    • Rest of World: US$45.50 / €41.25 / £34.95

    Note: The exact shipping cost may vary slightly depending on the weight and dimensions, but it will only differ by a small amount and will be shown at checkout. The above rates cover approximately 85% of parcels.

    Order and Shipment Confirmation

    You will generally receive two emails after placing an order:

    1. Confirmation of receipt of the order and payment.
    2. Notification of shipment once the goods are dispatched.

    Processing Time: Orders are shipped by the Post Office or Courier within 48 hours of payment processing. Note that our shipping centers are closed on Saturdays and Sundays; therefore, orders placed during this time may take up to 72 hours to be dispatched. This includes orders placed after 14:00 (CET) on Fridays.

    Estimated Delivery Times (in working days):

    • Europe:
      • UPS: 2 to 5 days
      • Registered Mail: 7 to 14 days
    • UK:
      • DPD or UPS: 24 hours
      • Tracked Mail: 1 to 2 days
    • Rest of World:
      • UPS: 3 to 10 days
      • Registered Mail: 7 to 21 days*

    *Some countries are notoriously slow to process goods on arrival, including Israel, Hong Kong, Macau, Mexico, South Africa, and some South American countries. Significant delays can also occur in other countries in Africa. For time-sensitive deliveries, we recommend using UPS, DHL, or FedEx.

    All shipping estimates exclude Saturdays and Sundays.

    While we strive to deliver within the above timeframes, they are guides, and delivery cannot be guaranteed. We are not responsible for delays caused by couriers or any national postal service. If your goods are not delivered within the estimated time, please contact us at admin@mwc.watch, and we will do our best to resolve the issue promptly. We are not liable for any loss caused by late delivery.

    Our delivery charges cover the cost of shipping to you but do not include import charges and administration fees to clear the goods when entering your country if applicable.

    It is the purchaser's responsibility to understand that charges may be levied and to pay all subsequent import taxes and duties on goods shipped to their country. If items are returned to MWC due to rejected payment, subsequent charges incurred (such as import duty and processing costs) will be deducted from any refund issued. For more information, please contact accounts@mwc-distribution.com

    If you need to clarify any details regarding local taxes for your location, please contact us before placing an order. For clarification, goods shipped to the EU can be dispatched from our EU location if ordered at https://mwc.eu/, and we also have a dedicated UK shipping center at https://mwcwatches.co.uk/. In the United States, orders under $800 do not incur taxes or fees. In Australia, orders up to AU$1000 are tax-free. Many other countries have similar regulations, which you can verify using this helpful link: Zonos De Minimis Values and also this link to calculate taxes for shipments to most countries worldwide https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

    We do not accept liability for goods lost after delivery to a PO Box. We reserve the right to cancel orders where the delivery address is a PO Box. Similarly, we do not accept liability for goods lost after confirmed delivery to APO or BFPO locations.

    Customer Notification: It is the customer's responsibility to notify us if goods are not received within 21 days of the estimated delivery date. If no notification is made within this period, the buyer is deemed to have received the goods.

    Safe Place Deliveries

    Some delivery companies allow for delivery without a signature, leaving the item in a "safe place" (e.g., shed, garage, porch). If you choose this option, it is at your own risk. We initially send items by a secure service requiring a signature or proof of delivery. Using a "safe place" increases the risk of theft. We advise ensuring deliveries require a signature to ensure safe receipt.

    Failed Deliveries

    If an item is refused and returned to us, we will refund the order less the outbound and inbound shipping charges once the item is received back at our packing and shipping center. For business locations, please notify the receiving personnel of the expected delivery to avoid refusals. Usually, we will be notified of delivery issues and will email you for instructions. It is important to act quickly to avoid return and associated costs.

    For any questions or further assistance, please contact us at admin@mwc.watch.