Military watches were built and designed for infantrymen, special operators, divers, and people who often work in harsh environments. But what are the qualities that make military watches mission-ready? Overall, a military wrist watch must be rugged, reliable, and easy to use. Whether it features quartz or mechanical movement, this timekeeping tool should function smoothly at all times. If it’s battery-powered, it should have highly efficient and last-lasting batteries.
A military watch should also feature an illumination system since it would be nearly impossible to check the time in poorly lit environments. Furthermore, the timepiece shouldn’t have unnecessary elements that inhibit its functionality. Some of these watches were more impactful and crucial than others. One of these watches is the A-11.
Apart from its dark dial, white hands, and Arabic numbers, the watch had another unique feature that set it apart from the rest. The “hacking” feature allowed the soldiers to synchronize their watches by stopping the seconds hand.
Post-war, these watches remained popular among watch enthusiasts. And for veteran-driven watch brand Praesidus, recreating US-inspired military time watches is one way of honoring the bravery and heroism of the veterans who fought in the war.
Best U.S. Military Watches from Praesidus
Praesidus aims to tell incredible stories of valor and patriotism through U.S. army-inspired watches. So when they heard about the story of Tom Rice, a WW2 veteran and American paratrooper who lost his watch while parachuting from a C-47, they decided to recreate this timepiece to honor Tom Rice and the other veterans who fought in the war. Praesidus brought the A-11 back to life with their watch-making and military background. And today, here are the best military watches of WW2 from Praesidus.
1.    White Dial Military Watch With Canvas Strap Tom Rice A-11
The A-11 is a sleek utilitarian watch with no unnecessary frills. Its matte ivory off-white dial is a bold yet classy alternative to the universal black dial. The uncluttered dial emanates an aura of simplicity and cleanliness and adds to the authenticity and legibility of the timepiece.
This model has a smooth bezel and case made from stainless steel. It comes in two sizes – 38mm and 42mm. Both versions have luminous green indices and black numbers, but the hour hands on the 42mm version have been sized up. What’s more, the anti-reflective coating of its dome-shaped crystal enhances legibility. Finally, a waterproof canvas strap adds a classic vibe to the watch.
2.   Black Dial Military Watch With Canvas Strap Tom Rice A-11
Designed for outdoorsmen and people who are always on the go, this watch model packs a sleek night-black dial, sandblast bezel, automatic Seiko NH35 movement, and luminescent cream-filled hour hands and markers for quick legibility. A symbol of class, formality, and prestige, this black dial watch is ideal for those who value practicality.
Since it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters, it can withstand showers, swimming, and water splashes. The watch also features a dome-shaped mineral crystal with an AR coating to improve legibility. The indices and numerals are clear and legible from every angle through this crystal. This watch comes with a durable and lightweight canvas strap suitable for outdoor activities.
3.    Black Dial Military Watch With Nylon Strap Tom Rice A-11
This model is a neat, rugged timepiece with a matte black dial and cream-filled dots for maximum visibility and legibility in poorly lit environments. It has green luminous large numbers and luminescent cathedral-type hour hands that add a vintage appeal to the timepiece.
Beating inside the watch is the NH35 movement that delivers accurate time. A double dome mineral crystal with an AR coating eliminates glare and protects these components from various elements. The watch is water-resistant up to 5 ATM and comes with a brown nylon strap that fits comfortably around the wrist. The strap is breathable, easy to clean, and lightweight.
Wrap Up
Military watches offer the best of both worlds – function and form. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a white dial or military watches black. These timepieces combine the classic aesthetic of vintage models and the legibility and robustness of modern wristwatches. So if you value resilience and supreme functionality, these watches are the perfect accessory for you.
