Always wondered what exactly sat on the wrist of this American WWII P-51 Mustang pilot
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Normally I would say a white dialed A11, but the step at the lugs where it meets the bezel isn’t in line with any of the A11’s, so it’s anyone’s guess.

 

Yeah it’s not small but it is thin and I don’t feel it wears large due the lug to lug, but my wrist is also 6.75+
Btw, the Bulova Hack Auto is up for sale on Drop right now for $289

 

If anyone is interested a number of NOS military issue pigskin bands for the standard watches in use in 1944 are showing up on Ebay right now at reasonable prices. Those I've looked at appear to be in very good unused condition.

 

Military watches group shots.

 

Care to share where the tan textured straps on the Chrono’s are from?

 

The two on the left and right from Bulang and Sons but it looks like they ran out. The middle one is from Veblenist which is very close.

 

Heres a few of the 1944 dated bands to be found on Ebay.
This lot appear to have plated metal keepers.

 

This qualifies?

 

Thanks - always difficult as I'd probably give a different answer on every other day but I do love the Hanharts although the Heuer is getting a lot of love from me at the moment (it is suggested it was Swiss military issued but no markings or current evidence to confirm 100%). Which is your favourite?

 

Just sharing this screenshot of a French military elite unit 2009 custom Rolex Submariner with GSPR logo on the dial
(YouTube screenshot: Olivine Prestige)
.

 

I have a 33mm Hamilton GG-W-113, are these sought after? I think it has been in the sh!t.
Also have a RAF IWC MK XI. Hard to believe these we actually for military use, they are so refined.

 

The Hamilton is an entry-level collectible for sure.

 

I generally like black dials. That prompted me to buy this one at a flea market about 30 years ago, for a few Euros (2-figure). Only afterwards I found out, what the engraving on the back means and it amazed me because of the Swiss make.The serial number suggests it was made 1943.






I might note that scratch in the magnetic shield did not happen to me. But I am guilty for the case rechrome. And for not reluming the hands.

 

My humble Benrus MIL-W-3818B service watch, issued around 1964.



It's had a long life & still going strong, one of my favourites.

 

Here's my guess.

 

Interesting. Looks like a non-hacking Ord watch rather than the hack setting A11’s. Did you find a date on that and a spec sheet? May be pre-war?

And now I have to hunt for one of these too.

 

Problematic to answer you properly.

The tech manual is dated April 1945, so these watches were in the ordnance system at that time. There is a mention that this case is a waterproof case that supercedes a previous version. It has a 987A movement. It is likely that it was originally issued before the start of WWII, but was updated then. I would suspect that a person would exchange his watch for a different one rather than wait for the watchmakers to service it and return it, much like any other piece of ordnance equipment. The "using arm" would only be authorized to perform certain small tasks, but anything more major, like watch servicing or replacing the barrel on a rifle, would be returned to ordnance for repair and a replacement issued. During a service, if there was a change to be applied, for example updating the case to waterproof, that would happen given availabllity of parts in stock.

This particular watch would have an OD stamped on the back followed by a serial number. "OD" represents a 17-jewel watch.

The actual technical manual is available as a scan on archive.org. I own a paper copy, and they are found from time to time on eBay.

 

I can not say I am into military watches.

There was a time when I was getting watch assortments. (Perhaps I still do.)

In my current phase of exploring what I have, the following watches from the 1940s have turned up in the scrap watch boxes. I do find black dialed watches attractive.



I also have a 'Military' brand chronograph, which is currently disassembled.

So even without being into something, one can still enjoy finding a nice extra here and there.

It is also clear that these watches have seen hard use and repaired many times, even with found materials to keep them working.

I also have this rather interesting pocket watch. It is hard to read the writing on the dust cover. Most difficult to photograph, this is the best I have ever done.


Some of the writing is scratched out and written over. The photograph letters look different than when read with a lupe. Best I can Make out is Hauget Trant The date seems to be a bit strange.

Not sure if this is the real dial, as it spins around loose and there are no hands.



It is a cylinder movement, and surprisingly still runs when shaken.

 

This is one that was recased after the war, prior to the A17 I assume.