WWII Waltham A-11 Field Watch

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WWII Waltham A-11 Field Watch (c. 1942–1945)


What Is the A-11?

The A-11 is often called “the watch that won the war.”
Waltham was one of three primary U.S. manufacturers, alongside Elgin and Bulova.

Military Specification

  • Spec: U.S. Army Air Forces Type A-11

  • Purpose: Navigation and timing for pilots and ground personnel

  • Contract: Issued, not privately purchased

Case & Dial

  • Case: 32–33 mm, parkerized or stainless steel

  • Lugs: Fixed bars

  • Crystal: Acrylic (shatter-resistant)

  • Dial: Matte black

  • Hands: White painted (sword or pencil style)

  • Numerals: White Arabic, high contrast

  • No date

  • Center seconds (crucial for navigation)

Movement

  • Waltham Cal. 6/0 AN 5740

  • 15 jewels

  • Manual wind

  • Hacking seconds (stops when crown pulled)

  • Temperature-compensated balance

  • Highly robust and serviceable

Caseback Markings

Typically engraved:

  • “A-11”

  • “U.S. Army” or “U.S. Army Air Forces”

  • Contract numbers

  • Serial numbers

  • Sometimes “AN 5740” (Army-Navy specification)

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