WWII 1940 Pattern American Army Ordnance / ORD Watch (Automatic)

Product Details

SKU: ORD1/AU

During WWII, Ordnance watches were produced for the US military by Waltham, Hamilton, Bulova, and Elgin. Due to wartime conditions and material shortages, these original watches were made of nickel-plated brass instead of stainless steel, making it difficult to find one in good condition today. The original Ordnance watches were small, measuring 33/34mm, but we have slightly increased the size to 36.5 mm (excluding the crown) and 39 mm (including the crown) for a more contemporary fit.

The US Army Ordnance Department watches were designed for non-aviation personnel, while the similar A-11 model, with a black dial, was issued to USAAF aircrew. Interestingly, the British War Office had procured a similar watch design in 1938, two years prior to the introduction of the ORD watches, explaining the near-identical look of both.

Historical Context:

Before WWII, soldiers, particularly in WWI, often adapted civilian pocket watches or trench watches for military use. It wasn’t until shortly before WWII that the British War Office began procuring watches specifically designed for military use, with the US Army Ordnance Department following suit two years later. The ORD DEPT. issued these watches during the war, with the 1940 Ordnance Department specifications standardizing the timepieces for military personnel. This watch, though automatic, captures the spirit of the original hand-wound design. We also offer a manual hand-winding version for those seeking a closer match to the WWII models.

Comparison:

The last two images, shared by a watch enthusiast, show original WWII Elgin ORD watches, while the third image displays a Grana ATP British military watch. As seen in the photos, both follow a nearly identical design, with minimal differences.

Specifications:

• Case Diameter: 36.5 mm (excluding crown), 39 mm (including crown)
• Lug to Lug: 43 mm
• Thickness: 13.5 mm
• Lug Type: Spring Bars
• Dial Color: Off White
• Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
• Caseback: 316L Stainless Steel
• Crown: 316L Stainless Steel
• Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)
• Movement: 21-jewel automatic with a 36-hour power reserve
• Hacking Function: Yes
• Subsidiary Second Hand
• Glass: Plexiglass / Perspex
• Luminous Material: Luminova
• Serial Number: Engraved on caseback
• Strap: 18 mm canvas
• Guarantee: 24 months

This watch is a tribute to the original US military Ordnance watches, combining a vintage design with modern functionality.

• 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.