Aeschbach WW2 Pattern Germany Luftwaffe / Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) Pilots Watch with 24 Jewel Swiss Sellita SW216 Hand Winding Movement and Sapphire Crystal - Special Introductory Price

SKU Code: AESC/DUH1CH This classic hand-winding WWII-pattern Aeschbach* military watch is powered by a Swiss 24-jewel Sellita SW216 movement and features a traditional small subsidiary seconds dial. The design is closely based on the watches originally supplied to the German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe during the Second World War. This particular model is heavily inspired by one of Aeschbach’s original wartime designs. Genuine WWII examples are now exceptionally rare and highly collectible, often commanding substantial prices. Externally, this watch remains remarkably faithful to the original factory-produced models while incorporating a number of discreet modern upgrades to significantly improve reliability and durability for everyday use. Although visually almost indistinguishable from the original watches, this updated version benefits from 100m water resistance, a shatter- and scratch-resistant box sapphire crystal that closely replicates the appearance of the original plexiglass crystal, and an upgraded 24-jewel Swiss hand-wound movement in place of the original 15-jewel calibre. The result is a watch that preserves the authentic vintage appearance of the WWII originals while offering the advantages of modern watchmaking technology and greatly enhanced day-to-day practicality. The original wartime watches supplied to the Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe were manufactured by a wide range of Swiss and German companies, many of which — including Aeschbach, founded in 1923 — still exist today. While British military watch collectors often focus on the famous “Dirty Dozen” watches, collecting German military watches can be considerably more challenging due to the sheer number of manufacturers involved during the war, which is believed to have exceeded 100 different suppliers. A group of military watch enthusiasts has compiled an extensive list of these manufacturers on their website: https://military-watches.net/ww2-german-watches The list appears to be close to complete, although they would no doubt appreciate assistance in filling the few remaining gaps. This watch features a solid 316L military-grade stainless steel case, black dial, luminous markings, subsidiary seconds display, and hacking function. Specification: Case Diameter: 36.5 mm excluding crown, 39 mm including crown Lug to Lug: 43 mm Thickness: 12.5 mm Lug Type: Spring strap bars Dial Colour: Black Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel Caseback: 316L Stainless Steel Crown: 316L Stainless Steel Water Resistance: 100m / 330ft / 10 ATM Movement: Swiss Hand-Wound Sellita SW216, 24 Jewels Crystal: Shatter- & Scratch-Resistant Box Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating* Luminous Material: Luminova Serial Number Engraved on Caseback Strap: Black Leather Supplied in Presentation Box 24 Months Guarantee *Many customers ask about the advantages of sapphire crystal compared to conventional mineral glass. Synthetic sapphire is widely regarded as the premium material for watch crystals because it offers exceptional resistance to scratches, impacts, and shattering. These characteristics make it particularly popular with military personnel, police officers, security professionals, and people with active outdoor lifestyles — groups which account for a significant proportion of our customers. To put this into perspective, in cases where watches are damaged during accidents, over 90% of cracked crystals involve mineral glass rather than sapphire. Even hardened mineral glass does not approach sapphire in terms of durability under harsh conditions. The strength of sapphire crystal comes from both the material itself and the manufacturing process. After production, the sapphire is heat-treated to remove internal stresses which can otherwise create weak points. The crystal is then precision-machined and finished with anti-reflective coatings to improve clarity and legibility. Interestingly, sapphire crystal is now also used in various premium electronic devices, including certain high-end smartphone components. Naturally, these benefits come at a higher manufacturing cost, which is why sapphire crystals are generally reserved for higher-grade watches.