WWII 1940 Pattern American Army Ordnance / ORD Watch (Hand Wound Mechanical Version)

Product Details

SKU: ORD1/HW

In WWII, Ordnance watches were made for the US military by Waltham, Hamilton, Bulova, and Elgin. The original watches were made of nickel-plated brass because wartime conditions precluded the use of stainless steel. Consequently, the original watches were not very durable, making it challenging to find one in good condition today. The original watches were very small, measuring 33/34mm, but we have increased the size slightly to 36.5 mm (excluding the crown) and 39 mm (including the crown).

The US Army Ordnance Department watches were intended for use by non-aviation personnel. The A-11, which is similar but has a black dial, was the USAAF equivalent.

Interestingly, the British War Office procured a very similar timepiece in 1938, two years before the ORD watches, which explains why the designs look almost identical.

Before WWII, and particularly during WWI, soldiers adapted various civilian pocket watches and trench watches to their needs. This was also the case with American troops. It was only following World War I that the British War Office decided to procure watches designed specifically for military use, and the US Army Ordnance Department followed the same path.

During WWII, US Army personnel were issued watches by the "ORD DEPT." In 1940, the Ordnance Department published specific requirements and specifications for military watches. Consequently, ORD and ATP watches were very similar in basic specification and design, meeting the key objective of standardizing the timepieces in use.

The original watches were hand-wound, and this particular watch retains the hand-winding mechanical movement. There is also a self-winding automatic version for buyers who prefer not to wind the watch by hand each day.

For comparison, the last two images were sent to us by a watch enthusiast and show original WWII watches made by Elgin (ORD watches). The third image is a Grana, a British military ATP watch. As you can see, they followed a very similar 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 m)
• Movement: 21 Jewel Mechanical Hand-winding
• Subsidiary Second Hand
• Glass: Plexiglass / Perspex
• Luminous Material: Luminova
• Serial Number: Engraved on caseback
• Strap: 18 mm Canvas
• Guarantee: 24 Months

ESSENTIAL WINDING INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES

To wind the watch from an empty state to full, you'll need approximately 30 turns of the crown (most other hand-wound watches require 30 to 40 turns, so this movement needs significantly less). Once fully wound, the watch boasts an average power reserve of around 36 hours. It's crucial to exercise caution during the winding process, because when the locking crown is being secured, it adds an additional 3 or 4 winds while being screwed down. This must be factored in, especially since most hand-wound watches of this type lack a screw-down crown, which we added to increase water resistance.

For those who wear the watch daily and wind it consistently, such as every morning, a slight variation in the number of turns will not significantly impact the overall power reserve, as it will remain well below the maximum of around 36 hours.

Some users have reported that 25 turns are sufficient when winding every 24 hours. This is logical because the watch wouldn't need a full wind after 24 hours. Nevertheless, individual preferences may vary, and most owners tend to develop a sense of the optimal winding routine within the first few days of ownership.

Above all, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of not overwinding the watch, which could lead to locking up issues or, worse, damage or breakage of the mainspring. Adhering to the recommended winding procedures ensures the longevity and proper functioning of the timepiece.

Note: Overwinding occurs when a mechanism is wound beyond its designated stopping point, posing the risk of damage or destruction to the winding mechanism. Overwinding is a concern primarily for manually-wound watches, not for their automatic counterparts, which normally cannot be overwound.

• Delivery

  • Shipping Information

    Europe, UK, and Rest of World

    Tracked Mail:

    • Europe: €11.50 / £9.99 / US$12.75
    • UK: £9.99 (Small items, e.g., 1 or 2 straps: £5.99)
    • Rest of World: US$22.25 / €20.00 / £17.50

    Express Courier (UPS or FedEx):

    • Europe: €23.00 / £19.99 / US$25.50
    • UK (UPS/DPD): £12.95
    • Rest of World: US$44.50 / €40.00 / £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.

    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.