In 1926 two well established watch manufacturers in the German town of Glashutte joined forces with the aim of producing their own mechanical movements to compete with the neighbouring Swiss. Two years after the start of World War II, work on the Tutima Flieger Chronograph was complete. Developed for the rigours of the new faster, higher flying, combat aircraft it was used by German pilots through ...
The German Navy during the Third Reich era, the Kriegsmarine, were supplied by German and Swiss watch manufacturers, including Alpina. The watches were made to a single style, a chrome or nickel plated brass case with a white or matt silver dial, that discoloured over time due to exposure to seawater. They were issued according to role, not rank. ...
Updated Jan 13, 2015 at 08:46 PM by Churchy
Japanese armed forces were issued with watches made by the Seikosha Watch Company, A branch of Seiko. The original watch would have had a seconds hand sub dial at 6 o'clock, and either a 12 hour or 24 hour dial. Some had a protective case. They would have been marked with a Star for the army; an Anchor for the Navy; and a Cherry blossom for the Air service. ...
Updated Jan 19, 2015 at 07:40 PM by Churchy
During the years after WW2 the French Navy began a period of rebuilding, there was large scale investment in high quality ancillary equipment, including wristwatches. Senior ranks and personnel who's role required accurate timekeeping were supplied with the official 'Marine Nationale' watch, procured from Longines. ...
The British Army needed a water and shock resistant watch and had a batch of Longines movements put into custom cases, nicknamed ’Tuna Cans”, larger and designed to be more shock resistant, they also had a screw down crown to aid water resistance. It was only issued in small numbers and later recalled due to the old Luminous paint decaying into powder and fouling the movement. ...
Updated Dec 28, 2014 at 08:37 PM by Churchy
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