Replica Watches

although the prices for them are constantly rising. Some dealers and watch lovers are sure that this is an almost over-subscribed market, as the army of military watch fans is growing while the number of watches is getting smaller and smaller.

The Military Pocket Watches

The first synchronized attack grounded on using watches was carried out by the Union forces under General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg in1863. In 1885 the British Royal Artillery purchased watches for the first time, but it was normally considered that only officers might have required a watch and such a purchase was affordable for them. Navies had been purchasing marine chronometers for almost a century to be used by navigators, before the first army acquired watches.

Even after 1885, the production of military pocket watches had not spread so significantly because they were still considered to be designed for special units, like for example the artillery. The first U.S. purchase of watches was fulfilled by the Army Corp. of Engineers during WWI. The first 3000 chronograph pocket watches were acquired from Vacheron Constantin. A little later the Ulysse Nardin Company was also commissioned for the similar order.

During World War I, the production of military watches was stimulated by orders received from all main armies. Even Rolex was commissioned to develop pocket watches for the British army. It appears that Rolex subcontracted most of these products out, and now it is possible to discover absolutely identical watches, one made by Rolex and the other by Cortebert that also signed their own contract for the British army, while the Rolex charged three times the price of the Cortebert.

Many of the Swiss manufacturers developed timepieces for both the German and British armies. They used the identical movement and dials for these pieces. The main difference between them was that the cases of the British army watch cases had to be snapped back cases while the cases for the German military had to be screwed back with a tool.

The Hamilton 4992B (GCT with a 24 hour dial) and the Hamilton Model 23 Chronograph are the most popular among the American military pocket watches. The majority of these watches were produced for the U.S. Armed Services. Many collectors prefer to have the Waltham or Elgin developed for the British army.

Military Wristwatches

Only since the beginning of the 20th century people have been wearing wristwatches as we perceive them today. Probably World War I contributed to bringing them into common use. For soldiers it was a matter of life or death to be sure when to begin the attack or when to fall back. Many people find a wristwatch much more comfortable than a watch kept somewhere in a pocket. Because of the vulnerability of the wristwatches open at all times, the first military wristwatches were supplied with a protective grid.

The appearance of military wristwatches first marked the gloomy days of World War I. The first pieces were produced by Omega, Zenith and some other manufacturers. These beautiful but extremely scarce timepieces are now worth several thousands of dollars each and highly sought after by collectors.

World War II became a golden age for producing military wristwatches. Many special timepieces were developed for US and British fighters, including the army members, navy and air force. The Hamilton watch company produced a unique precision timepiece for undersea demolition crews. A more wide-spread Elgin’s 1945 US Air Force pilot 24-hour watch may be purchased for about $400 in first-class condition. It is a real bargain if we think about the history behind such timepiece.

Nowadays, military wristwatches are still in production featuring Desert Storm watches and timepieces destined for any possible campaign and military unit. Military wristwatch collectors may come across a remarkable modern Lemania watch created for the aviators of Italy's first helicopter attack ship, the Garibaldi at the price of about $895. Another post-war classic model is a Longines watch produced for British Naval scientific expeditions organised in the beginning of 50s at the retail price of about $1300.

The German military forces have cooperated with various watchmakers that manufacture and supply watches to them. Over the years, among the suppliers there have been Tutima Replica Rolex, Hanhart, Heuer Cheap Watches Replica Wristwatch, IWC, Sinn, Arktos, Porsche Design and Tengler.

Special markings left at military wristwatches will hint you about their provenance. Pilots’ watches are usually larger in size and may be fastened with a strap to the leg and used as navigational tools. The foot watches often possess a second hand dial above the six on the watch face. US watches should be marked with a US Army patent and feature the name of the division or corps. Canadian soldiers in World War II used Rolex 'Victory' watches produced specially for them.