The fascinating history of American WWII military watches.
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- Опубліковано 9 кві 2020
- A brief look at the A-11 and military contract watches of WWII and advice on collecting them.
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Our shop is located at 76 Main Street in Vineyard Haven and we are always available to chat vintage watches! Feel free to stop by.
![1940s WW2 Pilot Watches For the Royal Air Force [ RAF ] Military Watches 6B-159](/img/n.gif)
First time I've seen one of your videos. Appreciate the content. I would like to say that there was no U.S. Air Force in World War II. It was the Army Air Corp. I understand what you were saying, and again I do appreciate the content, but every time you said Air Force my mind would go to the thought "it wasn't the Air Force back in World War II, it was the Army Air Corp" and I found myself missing a few points. Anyways.... I know that's being nit picky but wanted you to know for future videos. Anyways.... thank you for a very informative video. I kept thinking, when you said the watches didn't have hacking, "wouldn't you think it might be important for the pilots to synchronize their watches during briefing?" Apparently not. LOL Have a GREAT day and again, thank you for the video. I did enjoy it.
Wonderful video! Wish you still made videos
Hamilton is the first brand that comes to my mind when thinking wartime pieces. Awesome video!
Hamilton made amazing military watches!
I have a British Military Hamilton that looks like what you are showing. Mine was issued in 1973. Love it.
Very nice! Sounds like a wonderful piece. Enjoy it! The British military Hamilton’s are some of my favorites.
Absolutely love the video, amazing information
Thanks so much!
I am honestly mostly interested in the straps…
Interesting that some A11 watches come with a strap similar to G10 straps while others come with normal two-piece straps…
If I'm ever in Martha's Vinyard again haven't been there in a while, I'll try stopping by the Shop.
Great video! did Hamilton make A-11’s, or similar contract watches? (Besides the canteen)
Great video about these historic and impressive pieces. As someone that has not entered into collecting vintage watches yet I’m concerned about radium being used as lume in these pieces and was curious as to if any of the companies mentioned produced pieces containing radium and if so how can one tell? Thank you!
Thanks so much for your interest. The way to tell for sure is a Geiger counter. Many historic WWII era watches such as the B-UHR were known to have radioactive luminous. Some have had their dials redone over time (though this dramatically hurts the value). Because there were so many variants described and different brands that produced each it can be difficult without a tester to know for sure. Generally it is assumed that period lume is radioactive.
Personally as a dealer and collector the concern is much more for touching or Inhaling the paint during service rather than the risk of wearing as a collector. The watch is relatively sealed and considered a fairly limited risk by the industry. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Happy to help you on your quest to begin collecting!
Sometimes you can find an A11 with a silver case !🧐
Amazing video
Well done!
Thanks so much! Stay tuned for more interesting watch content.
Great video. The Freak is an amazing watch.
Thanks! I definitely agree. It’s an amazing series of watches and the Freak X is a really nice model!
Big fan of the asthetics of Military/service watches. Just picked up a Longines military nationale 2020, re issue of the dirty dozen longines.
Longines has done a wonderful job with their heritage collection! They are created some really nice pieces including their military remakes. Congrats on the new purchase!
Hi vineyard time, thanks for this look into WWII's watches! My grandpa served in WWII (Navy) and I have been trying to see if he might have been issued a watch. I gather some divisions of the army had A-11's, would the navy have them too? I'm interested in collecting one for the sentimental value, as I never knew him. :)
Hamilton 88-w-880 was for US Navy.
very stylish watches
Anyone know where i can get a strap that looks similar to a A11 strap thats 18mm? I got a replica A11 and its beautiful but the original strap is army green instead of what the A11 strap was, this replica also has wider lug width i believe originals were 16mm?
I Remember the plastic watch on the back it said the immulated dial may be hazardous to your health
The A-11 used radium hands and is radioactive, correct? I know the "ORD DEPT" watches used radium, and to this day some are till quite radioactive.
Generally speaking watches from this period featuring period Lume are indeed radioactive.
Interesting thx :-)
Great video, thank you. Do you have a place you trust and would recommend to purchase authentic A11s?
I have a Omega RCAF 1962 HA 62
I have a 1943 Bulova A-11
They are really neat watches with a great history. Enjoy!
How do I find old ww2 watches? Are there stores for them?
Thanks for your question. We do have a few available in our gallery that still need to be serviced. If you are interested please feel free to message us via Instagram @Vineyard_Time or our website www.vineyardtime.com. Traditionally you may find them at other online auction sites as well or through vintage watch dealers. Because of their age inventory is sporadic and dependent on trade ins. Look forward to helping you further. Let us know if you have additional questions.
Were any light color dial?
Yes, in certain periods some of the military watches featured light dials.
should I get one for myself for a cousin? Do u recommend it for a 14 yo?
Yeah get a good quality reproduction if they plan on wearing it
Did Rolex make any military issue?
Thanks for your question, yes indeed Rolex did make some military issued pieces over the years but many were also purchased privately by soldiers.
I know im late to the party but where would someone who knows nothing about these go to purchase an authintic one without getting ripped off?
the english were lucky. they got OMEGA!
Who makes the best reproduction? I wish Americans still made watches :(