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MODERN A11 WATCHES MADE BY MWC

Bombing IP

Well-Known Member
YOU GOT THE REPRO A2 NO YOU CAN GET THE REPRO A11

This recreation is based closely on the original World War Two design from 1943 but has the advantage that it is now equipped with a high performance self winding 24 jewel mechanical movement. The watches at the time were made in a variety of slightly different styles by Elgin, Bulova and Waltham but were all based on an original US government specification laid down at the time. This watch is closest in appearance to the Elgin 539 which used a 15 or 16 jewel movement and were made for the USAAF between 1940 and 1945. The original watch was made from plated basemetal (to save steel) but this modern recreation is solid stainless steel so it should stand the test of time better than the originals.

This particular recreation came into being because in January 2009 we were approached by a US veterans association who asked us to examine the viability of making a watch which was identical in appearance to the original watches which were made by Hamilton, Bulova and Benrus during the Vietnam war. We were sent samples of watches to examine and also the original specification sheets and the result was a watch which was very close to the original and used a high grade fully jewelled handwound movement, this watch was the GG-W-113 which we still make. As a result of making that watch we were contacted again with a view to recreating this even earlier model because these are now almost impossible to find in good sound condition. The reason that finding one is good order is dificult is primarily because as outlined above most were made from 1943 onwards when resources were limited and hence cheap metal was used.

SPECIFICATION

  • Width Inc Crown: 39.9mm
  • Width Exc Crown: 36mm
  • Thickness: 11.5mm
  • Lug Size: 18mm
  • Lug to lug is 43mm
  • 24 jewel, mechanical self winding automatic movement. with "Hack System

https://mwcwatches.com/products/a-11-1940s-wwii-pattern-military-watch-automatic

Priced at $200 to $240 depending on where you buy it .
A-11_-_MWC_2018_Model_SS_BS_B_1024x1024.jpg

A-11_-_MWC_2018_Model_SS_NS_B_Caseback_grande.jpg


BIP
 
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Edward

Well-Known Member
beautiful! before I got my authentic one I researched to see if anyone made repros and other than some oversized copies there were no nice reproductions available. this is a nice surprise! the price is very reasonable as well but I have to admit I got my perfect working order, good condition 1943 Elgin A-11 for $295 (plus shipping so $310) but I will consider this one in the future!
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
If someone produced an accurate reproduction A-11 watch including mechanical movement I’d be all over it, particularly if it was a copy of a whiteface Waltham.

I’d have an original but finding one as clean as I’d want is difficult to say the least.

I’ve got one of the Hanhart Luftflieger chronograph limited edition watches that they did some years ago now. Occasionally we go to re-enactment’s / 40’s dances and I have to imagine I swapped it for some small luxuries with a PoW! Would love an A-11. I’m one of those people that feel naked without a watch!
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
I agree with Dibley and Pilot when they say that it looks like a Vietnam or 1970s era watch. That’s exactly what I thought when I first saw it. In fact, it’s looks much more like my Vietnam issue general purpose Benrus. Heck, I believe it’s even just about the same size.

This wouldn’t be the first time a very nice watch is portrayed as an WWII issue reproduction watch. Years ago the Smithsonian and Benrus got together and marketed a reproduced Vietnam era Benrus military issue watch as a replica of an U.S. issued WWII watch. Benrus made an exact reproduction of their late 60s general purpose military contract watch (I can’t recall the exact nomenclature) and the Smithsonian said it was a reproduction of a watch Benrus manufactured for the U.S. military during WWII, even though they had no wrist watch contracts with the U.S. military back then. All that being said, it’s a very nice, very well made mechanical watch. It’s certainly worth the $150-$250 they’re going for today. It just has nothing to do with WWII.

- Ian
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
48B86CF8-F962-4B96-9270-E9066B858002.jpeg
If someone produced an accurate reproduction A-11 watch including mechanical movement I’d be all over it, particularly if it was a copy of a whiteface Waltham.

I’d have an original but finding one as clean as I’d want is difficult to say the least.

I’ve got one of the Hanhart Luftflieger chronograph limited edition watches that they did some years ago now. Occasionally we go to re-enactment’s / 40’s dances and I have to imagine I swapped it for some small luxuries with a PoW! Would love an A-11. I’m one of those people that feel naked without a watch!
Have two clean Walham’s
Both are for sale...
Contact me via PM if interested.
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
If someone produced an accurate reproduction A-11 watch including mechanical movement I’d be all over it, particularly if it was a copy of a whiteface Waltham.

I’d have an original but finding one as clean as I’d want is difficult to say the least.

I’ve got one of the Hanhart Luftflieger chronograph limited edition watches that they did some years ago now. Occasionally we go to re-enactment’s / 40’s dances and I have to imagine I swapped it for some small luxuries with a PoW! Would love an A-11. I’m one of those people that feel naked without a watch!

Is there a Waltham white dial A-11 watch? I cannot recall one. I own a rare Elgin white dial A-11; those were manufactured in 1941 and 1942. All of the other A-11’s that I’ve seen have had black dials.

The WWII U.S. military contract white dialed Waltham’s that I’ve seen, or can recall, are sub-second dials. Those are not A-11’s, but Ordinance watches, I believe. Having said that, finding a mint example of one of the particular Waltham sub-second white dials is very difficult, if not impossible. I can’t remember the number of that Waltham, right now, but it’s a bitch to find, minty (if it exists). All of the dials, from that watch, seem to have radium burns.

- Ian
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
Waltham made a very little serie of military watches with central sweep and white face during WW2...they made them for the RAF and Russian Air Force ( Lend Lease contract ) but not for USAAF-USSAC ...Not sure they were called A-11... all others with a white face , had sub seconds dial...and yes ORD watches....but extreemly rare in good condition.
All other( A-11 or ORD ) Waltham’s are black faced...
 
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Bombing IP

Well-Known Member
Here s a guy in California that puts original movements in new cases .
s-l1600 (2).jpgELGIN.jpg


WW2 ELGIN MILITARY WATCH A-11 with NEW MILITARY CASE !



Elgin 17 Jewels grade 720

cleaned & adjusted on Oct-01

runs strong & keeps accurate time

NEW Military Watch Case

NEW back case gasket

4mm thick original style crystal

New NATO style strap

case aprx 29x29 mm& 16 mm for lug (strap) &

CA buyer, please pay Tax

$8.50 for domestic
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-ELGIN-...ILITARY-CASE/302940492571?hash=item4688a9131b:

They run around $120


BIP
 

Greg Gale

Well-Known Member
I’ve been eyeing these for a long time. Then I went on some watch forums, and it got the same review as an a2 from SoF would get here. Their bottom line was: keep away from it!

Agreed, it doesn’t look too similar to an A-11 unfortunately.
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
I’ve been eyeing these for a long time. Then I went on some watch forums, and it got the same review as an a2 from SoF would get here. Their bottom line was: keep away from it!

Agreed, it doesn’t look too similar to an A-11 unfortunately.

Which one Greg? The horrible MWC or the much nicer recased Elgin?
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
Here s a guy in California that puts original movements in new cases .View attachment 11001

WW2 ELGIN MILITARY WATCH A-11 with NEW MILITARY CASE !



Elgin 17 Jewels grade 720

cleaned & adjusted on Oct-01

runs strong & keeps accurate time

NEW Military Watch Case

NEW back case gasket

4mm thick original style crystal

New NATO style strap

case aprx 29x29 mm& 16 mm for lug (strap) &

CA buyer, please pay Tax

$8.50 for domestic
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-ELGIN-...ILITARY-CASE/302940492571?hash=item4688a9131b:

They run around $120


BIP
Where could I get an original style cotton strap to put on one of those, anyone know?
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
Here s a guy in California that puts original movements in new cases .View attachment 11001

WW2 ELGIN MILITARY WATCH A-11 with NEW MILITARY CASE !



Elgin 17 Jewels grade 720

cleaned & adjusted on Oct-01

runs strong & keeps accurate time

NEW Military Watch Case

NEW back case gasket

4mm thick original style crystal

New NATO style strap

case aprx 29x29 mm& 16 mm for lug (strap) &

CA buyer, please pay Tax

$8.50 for domestic
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-ELGIN-...ILITARY-CASE/302940492571?hash=item4688a9131b:

They run around $120


BIP

While I have never dealt directly with this seller, I’ve seen his auctions over the last decade or so. Over the past few years, I’ve gathered that he’s not well regarded by the vintage military watch community. Take that for what it’s worth.

- Ian
 

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