Military watches: Show your Mil. watches - any brand,issued/non issued,data,specs & techs...

Posts
3,839
Likes
8,756
Many ΩF members have a strong interest in military watches, collecting and owning some very rare military watches across a diverse range of styles, types, and brands—including both issued and non-issued models—with each timepiece serving as a testament to durability and resilience. These old war horses have, for the most part, proven their worth as rugged tool watches over the decades; often enduring harsh conditions through the years. Let's share under one thread. I can't think of a more suitable place for ΩF members to drop their military watch pics, thoughts, questions, specs, or any cool info to add to the collective knowledge of military watches from any country, any time period and any brand.

So, to borrow and torture a great phrase, let's see them on the wrist, in the field, on the bench, in the office, on the beaches, on the landing grounds and in the air.

Here's a start:

One of my favourite war-horses the Omega WWW CK2444

(Indications are the watch was once owned by Aussie Major General John Austin Chapman (1896-1963) proof of original ownership still being worked on
- stay tuned

French Navy Marine Nationale Issued Casio G-Shock DW-9000 BT1999 (Brest, France)


The 1966 Benrus 46374, affectionately nicknamed "Plastic Fantastic," was designed as a disposable, non-serviceable plastic watch. However, despite its throwaway reputation, a number of watchmakers are fully capable of servicing and repairing these resilient watches. Those issued to the Australian Army are known to have a Central A stamped on the case back.
Edited:
 
Posts
289
Likes
861
Breitling 817, introduced in 1975 as a tool watch for Italian Army Helicopter pilots...
 
Posts
265
Likes
565
Panerai, a famous military divers watch and its story (the German part, the Italian part with la Decima Flottiglia MAS is an extra story):
See here 2 Panerai attack diver watches of the German Kriegsmarine in WWII.
These watches made by Rolex (ref 3646, movement by Cortebert cal 618) were as a whole shipped to Panerai Firenze. Panerai changed dial and hands with thick Radium applied.
They were for the Italian Navy, Reggia Marina, later Marina Militare.
As the German 'Kampfschwimmer' were at first trained near Venice (later in List and Mittenwald) they got Italian equipment and later they confiscated Panerai and moved all equipment to Venice.
When German troops had surrendered, these PoWs were enprisoned in List on Sylt by the British and !!could keep their watches!!
In this PoW camp a watchmaker marked many of these watches with the group name and initials of the bearer, highly sought after today.
Konrad

The movement Cortebert 618 especially for Rolex. Cortebert used for their own watches the cal 616 with a bit different bridges but the same wheels and escapement:

See a picture of the training of German 'Kampfschwimmer' near Venice with their Panerai at wrist:

See here an article in the British press about the capture of German 'frogmen' at the river Waal near Nymwegen where they destroyed bridges to stop allied progress:

The back markings were made after the capture in List prison. Here the watch of group leader Günther Heyden, who later became the commander of the Kampfschwimmer Group of the Federal German Navy:
Edited:
 
Posts
3,839
Likes
8,756

The movement Cortebert 618 especially for Rolex. Cortebert used for their own watches the cal 616 with a bit different bridges:

See a picture of the training of German 'Kampfschwimmer' near Venice with their Panerai at wrist:

See here an article in the British press about the capture of German 'frogmen' at the river Waal near Nymwegen where they destroyed bridges to stop allied progress:

The back markings were made after the capture in List prison. Here the watch of group leader Günther Heyden, who later became the commander of the Kampfschwimmer Group of the Federal German Navy:
Awesome watches, Konrad, with an amazing background story. Truly historical tool watches that have been put to the test and passed handsomely. I have to say I am a big fan of that heavily applied radium dial especially when the dial can take it, like the Panerai. Love to put my Geiger Counter on it. 😀 What was the original strap made from? Doesn't look like rubber in the photo, but could well be.
 
Posts
3,839
Likes
8,756

Rarely seen in the wild or for sale these days. CWC 1983 RN Diver ref. 165.83
 
Posts
265
Likes
565
...What was the original strap made from? Doesn't look like rubber in the photo, but could well be...
No, it was heavy calf leather like the ones I made for these watches.
I once was on travel in Italy and strolled through the port of La Spezia, the navy headquarter, and looked into the marine thrift shops there. And there were two old leather straps used for watches, compasses and deepth gauges, but they should cost 200€ each. I was an idiot not to take them.
 
Posts
346
Likes
1,755
Tutima Military Chronograph Ref. 798, Lemania 5100, developed in 1983/84 for German Bundeswehr/ Luftwaffe (Airforce).
Introduced in 1984 as official equipment for Pilots in German Airforce and NATO.

Edited:
 
Posts
265
Likes
565
Tutima Military Chronograph Ref. 798, Lemania 5100, developed in 1983/84 for German Bundeswehr/ Luftwaffe (Airforce).
Look here this Tutima chronograph was supplied as well to US Forces in Germany (from Chrono24):
 
Posts
346
Likes
1,755
Yes, they are also used within NATO.
And this is the first one, I see as an „US- Property“.
Thank you for sharing 👍.
 
Posts
3,839
Likes
8,756
Precista RN Diver (1982) with an estimated 300 production. The last mechanical watch issued to Royal Navy divers. In service for one year only.

 
Posts
3,839
Likes
8,756

some issues and unit watches
Very, very cool collection of mil. pieces and all still look in very good nick. 😃
 
Posts
3,839
Likes
8,756
Omega CK2996-1 Ranchero Seamaster PAF.

Now these you don't see too many of these in the wild.
 
Posts
52
Likes
156
British Military RAF / Ref. 2777-1 SC / 53 / Thin Arrow - Radium Dial

British Military RAF / Ref. 2777-1 SC / 53 / Thin Arrow - Tritium Dial