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Waltham A-11 — WWII Military Watch
The Waltham A-11 is one of the most important American military watches of World War II. Produced by the Waltham Watch Company in Massachusetts, it was manufactured to meet the U.S. military's A-11 specification, which called for a highly accurate, durable, and easily readable wristwatch for military personnel.
🇺🇸 Waltham A-11 History
During WWII, the U.S. military needed large quantities of reliable watches for soldiers, pilots, navigators, and other personnel. Waltham was one of several American manufacturers—including Elgin and Bulova—that produced watches meeting military requirements.
The A-11 specification became particularly associated with U.S. Army Air Forces aviation and navigation, although watches built to the specification were used more broadly by the American military.
Typical Features
A genuine WWII-era Waltham A-11 generally has:
- Black dial
- White or luminous Arabic numerals
- Luminous hour and minute hands
- Luminous 12, 3, 6 and 9 markers on many examples
- Small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock
- Railroad-style minute track
- 15-jewel or similar hand-wound movement, depending on the contract/version
- Approximately 30–33 mm case diameter, excluding the crown
- Stainless-steel or chrome-plated case variations
- Screw or snap-back cases depending on production
- Military identification markings on the case back
The watches were deliberately functional rather than decorative. Legibility and accuracy were more important than luxury finishing.
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