A Brief History of Military watches
Although not as precise as today’s wristwatches, timepieces were utilized in the military before the onset of the First World War. During that era, soldiers relied on pocket watches, which proved to be highly impractical as their hands were often occupied with equipment.
To address this issue, a soldier ingeniously fastened his pocket watch to his wrist using a webbed leather cap, marking the inception of the first «wristwatch» in the military. The widespread adoption of wristwatches commenced with the German army, with pocket watches that could be worn on the wrist in 1879. The demands of trench warfare during World War I rendered the use of pocket watches cumbersome, thus necessitating the adoption of wristwatches. Consequently, the British military issued wristwatches to soldiers in 1914 upon their entry into the First World War.
The evolution of military wristwatches led to enhanced legibility, with watchmakers developing sturdier cases, straps, and incorporating features such as luminous hands, water-resistance, and precise movements., the early watches were radioactive, a stark contrast to the current models.
During World War II, wristwatches became standard issue in the military and were enhanced with features such as luminous dials and hands, anti-magnetic properties, and water resistance. These attributes facilitated easier readability in low-light conditions, resilience to magnetic interference, and functionality in wet and humid environments.
After the Second World War, the watch industry gained significant recognition in the market. During the war, watchmakers produced timepieces that were reliable for soldiers. The German military watches, in particular, had distinct features including nickel-plated brass cases, black dials with white Arabic numerals, 30-minute and running second counters, central flyback chronograph seconds hands, and either knurled rotating or smooth fixed bezels.
The German government had a unique approach to their military watches. Instead of directly dealing with clients, they hired a contractor who would liaise with suppliers and ensure that all requirements were met. These watches were typically sized between 31 to 34 millimeters and predominantly featured black and white colors.
Each German military watch had a notable mark on its back – the letters DH, which represented Deutsches Heer (German Army). These watches were specifically provided to the air force, navy, and later on, the allied forces.
In 1935, the Ministry of Aviation introduced new watch specifications, inspired by the famous Lindbergh watch, which included an hour angle indication. German Army watches were designed with two types of dials. The first type, created in 1939, had Arabic numbers from 1 to 11, with a triangle replacing the number 12, accompanied by two dots. It also featured an outer minutes track with hash marks for each minute and thicker marks at 5-minute intervals.
The second type, designed in 1941, featured Arabic numerals starting from 5 and continuing in 5-minute intervals up to 55, with a triangle replacing the number 60. Additionally, it had an outer minute track with hash marks for each minute, including thicker marks at 5-minute intervals, and an inner ring with Roman numerals from 1 to 12.
Following the conclusion of World War II, military watches continued to evolve, adapting to specific needs and requirements.
Characteristics of A Military Watch
A military watch has a significant historical connection to wars. Since the production of the first military watch, watchmakers have continuously strived to enhance and innovate this specific timepiece. Generally, military watches possessed various features. Some of its attributes include:
Durability: Due to the harsh conditions soldiers faced during wars, watchmakers had to ensure that a military watch could endure the most extreme environmental conditions, impacts, and corrosion. Additionally, it was typically water-resistant and had a case made of nickel-coated base metals or sterling silver for durability (prior to the use of stainless steel by watchmakers).
Reliability: Synchronization and coordination among troops are crucial for the success of military operations. Therefore, military watches had to maintain precise timekeeping at all times.
Luminosity: Certain watch manufacturers utilized a combination of radium and luminescent paint to enhance luminosity. Although this may raise concerns for some, it did not endanger the lives of soldiers. The threat of radium dials only arises when the watch is disassembled and its dials are tampered with. However, this feature effectively served its purpose. Some watches had luminescent digits, which improved readability during nighttime or low-light situations. Nowadays, manufacturers have developed safer methods in this aspect.
Easy to Use: Considering the nature of a soldier’s job, they must always remain alert and quick to act. Therefore, a military watch should not have any unnecessary elements or clutter that obstruct or hinder its functionality. Furthermore, it should not be bulky, considering the weight of military gear.
Today, military timepieces have experienced a significant resurgence. Once sought after only by dedicated military collectors, these watches are now available from «luxury» watch brands, often at a premium price. For enthusiasts and collectors of tool watches, exploring historic military timepieces helps to understand the evolution of the modern tool watch landscape.
Fortunately, we can enjoy these watches today without endangering ourselves, while honoring those who did so on our behalf.
