{"product_id":"aeschbach-rlm-pilots-watch-24-jewel-swiss-sellita-sw216-movement-and-a","title":"Aeschbach WW2 Pattern Germany Luftwaffe \/ Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) Pilots Watch with a 23 Jewel Swiss Sellita SW216 Movement and a Domed Vintage Box Sapphire Crystal","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"380\" data-start=\"367\"\u003eSKU Code:\u003c\/strong\u003e AESC\/DUH1CH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"410\" data-start=\"396\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"730\" data-start=\"411\"\u003eThis classic hand-winding WW2 pattern \u003cstrong data-end=\"462\" data-start=\"449\"\u003eAeschbach\u003c\/strong\u003e military watch features a Swiss 23-jewel Sellita SW216 movement and a subsidiary dial second hand. The design is based on the watches issued to the \u003cstrong data-end=\"665\" data-start=\"611\"\u003eGerman Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe during World War II\u003c\/strong\u003e, closely mirroring one of Aeschbach's original wartime models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"925\" data-start=\"732\"\u003eWhile the originals are now rare and command high prices, this modern re-creation is outwardly almost indistinguishable — but has been discreetly improved for durability and daily wear, with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"955\" data-start=\"928\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"953\" data-start=\"928\"\u003e100m water resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1060\" data-start=\"958\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1010\" data-start=\"958\"\u003eShatter \u0026amp; scratch-resistant box sapphire crystal\u003c\/strong\u003e (visually identical to the original plexiglass)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1144\" data-start=\"1063\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1106\" data-start=\"1063\"\u003eUpgraded 23-jewel hand-winding movement\u003c\/strong\u003e (from the original 15-jewel design)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1149\" data-start=\"1146\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1178\" data-start=\"1151\"\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1399\" data-start=\"1179\"\u003eDuring WW2, the Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe were supplied by numerous Swiss and German watchmakers, including Aeschbach (founded 1923). In fact, more than \u003cstrong data-end=\"1366\" data-start=\"1345\"\u003e100 manufacturers\u003c\/strong\u003e contributed to the war effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1628\" data-start=\"1401\"\u003eA list of these manufacturers has been compiled by military watch enthusiasts and can be found here: [WW2 German Watches](WW2 German Watches). The list is nearly complete, and contributions to fill remaining gaps are welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2049\" data-start=\"1630\"\u003eAeschbach itself suffered great losses during the war. Based in \u003cstrong data-end=\"1707\" data-start=\"1694\"\u003ePforzheim\u003c\/strong\u003e, the company’s workshops were completely destroyed in the devastating RAF raid of February 23, 1945, which destroyed 83% of the city and killed over 17,000 people. For decades production ceased, but years later, a family member rediscovered surviving technical drawings and original pieces, leading to the \u003cstrong data-end=\"2046\" data-start=\"2014\"\u003erevival of Aeschbach watches\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2054\" data-start=\"2051\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2076\" data-start=\"2056\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2148\" data-start=\"2079\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2097\" data-start=\"2079\"\u003eCase Diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36.5mm (excluding crown), 39mm (including crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2173\" data-start=\"2151\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2166\" data-start=\"2151\"\u003eLug to Lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2199\" data-start=\"2176\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2190\" data-start=\"2176\"\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2235\" data-start=\"2202\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2215\" data-start=\"2202\"\u003eLug Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring strap bars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2262\" data-start=\"2238\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2254\" data-start=\"2238\"\u003eDial Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2306\" data-start=\"2265\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2283\" data-start=\"2265\"\u003eCase Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e 316L stainless steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2345\" data-start=\"2309\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2322\" data-start=\"2309\"\u003eCaseback:\u003c\/strong\u003e 316L stainless steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2403\" data-start=\"2348\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2358\" data-start=\"2348\"\u003eCrown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Screw-down locking crown (stainless steel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2451\" data-start=\"2406\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2427\" data-start=\"2406\"\u003eWater Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100m \/ 330ft \/ 10 ATM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2511\" data-start=\"2454\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2467\" data-start=\"2454\"\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swiss hand-wound Sellita SW216, 23 jewels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2600\" data-start=\"2514\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2526\" data-start=\"2514\"\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Box sapphire (shatter \u0026amp; scratch resistant) with anti-reflective coating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2636\" data-start=\"2603\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2625\" data-start=\"2603\"\u003eLuminous Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Luminova\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2680\" data-start=\"2639\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2657\" data-start=\"2639\"\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engraved on caseback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2714\" data-start=\"2683\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2683\"\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18mm black leather\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2743\" data-start=\"2717\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2731\" data-start=\"2717\"\u003eGuarantee:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2783\" data-start=\"2746\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2763\" data-start=\"2746\"\u003ePresentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supplied in a box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2788\" data-start=\"2785\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2817\" data-start=\"2790\"\u003eWhy Sapphire Crystal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2905\" data-start=\"2818\"\u003eSynthetic sapphire is \u003cstrong data-end=\"2883\" data-start=\"2840\"\u003ethe strongest and most durable material\u003c\/strong\u003e for watch crystals:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2927\" data-start=\"2908\"\u003eShatter-resistant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2949\" data-start=\"2930\"\u003eScratch-resistant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2990\" data-start=\"2952\"\u003eHeat-treated to remove stress points\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3017\" data-start=\"2993\"\u003eAnti-reflective coated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3268\" data-start=\"3019\"\u003eThis makes it ideal for military, police, and outdoor use. By contrast, \u003cstrong data-end=\"3105\" data-start=\"3091\"\u003eplexiglass\u003c\/strong\u003e (used until the 1980s) and mineral glass are prone to scratches and cracks. Over 90% of crystal failures we see involve mineral or plexiglass — rarely sapphire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3273\" data-start=\"3270\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3324\" data-start=\"3275\"\u003eSellita SW216 Movement – Winding Guidelines\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3429\" data-start=\"3327\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3354\" data-start=\"3327\"\u003eFull wind (from empty):\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–25 turns of the crown (fewer than most hand-wounds, which need 30–40)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3462\" data-start=\"3432\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3450\" data-start=\"3432\"\u003ePower reserve:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~42 hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3532\" data-start=\"3465\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3479\" data-start=\"3465\"\u003eDaily use:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–17 turns every 24 hours is generally sufficient\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3622\" data-start=\"3535\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3556\" data-start=\"3535\"\u003eScrew-down crown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adds 3–4 extra turns when secured — factor this in when winding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3781\" data-start=\"3624\"\u003e⚠️ \u003cstrong data-end=\"3641\" data-start=\"3627\"\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Do not overwind. Overwinding can cause locking or mainspring damage. Unlike automatics, hand-wound watches have a defined stopping point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3781\" data-start=\"3624\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor more information regarding the history of Aeschbach watches see this \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.proton.me\/urls\/ZNVGV0KQPM#pEFuIKOHyusx\" title=\"Link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elink\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3858\" data-start=\"3800\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3858\" data-start=\"3800\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3858\" data-start=\"3802\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"3856\" data-start=\"3802\"\u003eMWC are official distributors for Aeschbach watches.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Aeschbach","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47016391770442,"sku":"AESC\/DUH1CH","price":812.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1140\/1866\/files\/AESC_DUH1CHFrontL.jpg?v=1698328526","url":"https:\/\/mwcwatches.com\/ca\/products\/aeschbach-rlm-pilots-watch-24-jewel-swiss-sellita-sw216-movement-and-a","provider":"MWC - Military Watch Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}