Most of the time, when the unsung heroes of World War II are mentioned, wristwatches are an afterthought. Yet for soldiers, airmen, and sailors, a reliable watch was not only a tool but a lifeline. Coordinating an attack, coordinating with allies, or an artillery barrage often depended on the sweep of a second hand. These war watches were constructed ruggedly, simplified for simplicity, and intended to continue functioning when everything else around them appeared to come apart.
The following are 10 of the greatest WWII military watches—watches that served not only in combat but forged the history of watchmaking.
10. Vertex W.W.W.
Vertex, the sole British-founded Dirty Dozen brand, made a 35mm chrome-capped field watch based on the Caliber 59. They were supplied to troops going in for the D-Day landings in 1944 and are thus items of living history. The business ceased in the 1970s but was restarted, taking inspiration from this model itself.
9. Timor W.W.W.
Timor’s 36.5mm steel-and-chrome field watch, driven by the Caliber 6060, was lauded for its dependability. The company had already been making wristwatches for the military before the formal W.W.W. guidelines, so their wartime timepieces were particularly respected.
8. Omega W.W.W.
Of the entire Dirty Dozen, Omega produced the greatest number—about 25,000 pieces. Their 35mm steel watch, powered by the superb Caliber 30T,2 gained a reputation for reliability and robustness immediately. It’s one of the most sought-after items of WWII military horology.
7. IWC Mark X
Released in 1944–45, IWC’s Mark X was driven by the Caliber 83 in a 35mm steel case. It directly influenced the well-known postwar IWC Mark series of pilot’s watches, which continue to be manufactured today. Its simplicity and combat-tested reliability made it a favorite among military personnel.
6. Longines W.W.W. “Greenlander”
Longines, a company already leading the way in aviation watches, produced one of the best Dirty Dozen watches. At 38mm, it was bigger than most, and its cathedral hands made it stand out. Enthusiasts call it “The Greenlander,” a watch shrouded in fact and myth.
5. Jaeger-LeCoultre W.W.W.
Referred to as “the watchmaker’s watchmaker,” Jaeger-LeCoultre made its contribution with a 35mm field watch driven by its in-house Caliber 479. Cathedral hands and solid construction reflected the brand’s heritage for accuracy. It is a classic epitomizing military refinement merged with practicality.
4. Grana W.W.W.
The most elusive of the Dirty Dozen, Grana (now called Certina) only made fewer than 1,000 pieces. Its rarity makes it one of the most sought-after military watches in history. Chancing upon an intact one is like finding treasure, and auction values are a testament to its legend among collectors.
3. Cyma W.W.W.
Cyma’s was bigger in scope—some 20,000 were produced—but no less well-liked. 37mm with the Caliber 234, it hung big like most of its contemporaries and was constructed with tank-like ruggedness. Soldiers swore by its resilience in the worst of battlefield conditions.
2. Eterna W.W.W.
Eterna’s 36mm stainless steel watch, powered by the Caliber 520, is one of the more elusive discoveries, with only roughly 5,000 made. Eterna would go on to develop the ball-bearing rotor system for automatic watches, but even in the 1940s, its military field watches were renowned for their dependability.
1. The A-11 – “The Watch That Won the War”
From the American side, no timepiece was more iconic than the A-11. Made by Elgin, Waltham, and Bulova, it found its way into the standard issue of U.S. troops. With a stark black face, white numbers, and glowing hands, it was designed for functionality and ruggedness. Millions were manufactured, and it was nicknamed “the watch that won the war.” Hamilton’s wartime field watches, distant cousins of the A-11, are celebrated to this day in the current Hamilton Khaki line.
How these watches became legendary wasn’t luxury—it was functionality. They were built to be rugged, legible, and reliable in the most adverse conditions. Hand-wound movements, luminous dials, and shockproof cases made them perform where soldiers needed them most.