{"product_id":"aeschbach-ww2-pattern-german-airforce-luftwaffe-17-jewel-hand-wound-military-pocket-watch","title":"Aeschbach WW2 Pattern German Airforce (Luftwaffe) 17 Jewel Hand Wound Military Pocket Watch","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"338\" data-start=\"285\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"336\" data-start=\"288\"\u003eAeschbach WWII-Pattern Military Pocket Watch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"359\" data-start=\"339\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"347\" data-start=\"339\"\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABACH\/RLMPW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"751\" data-start=\"361\"\u003eMilitary pocket watches — and their civilian counterparts — are enjoying a strong resurgence in popularity. Historically, these timepieces were widely used across land, air, and naval operations. During the Second World War, both Axis and Allied forces relied heavily on pocket watches, including the German \u003cstrong data-end=\"711\" data-start=\"669\"\u003eWehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe\u003c\/strong\u003e, as well as British and American units.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1028\" data-start=\"753\"\u003eAt the time, wristwatches were typically small and difficult to read, averaging just \u003cstrong data-end=\"846\" data-start=\"838\"\u003e32mm\u003c\/strong\u003e in diameter. Pocket watches, by contrast, were significantly larger — often close to \u003cstrong data-end=\"940\" data-start=\"932\"\u003e50mm\u003c\/strong\u003e — offering far superior legibility, particularly in demanding operational environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1059\" data-start=\"1030\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1059\" data-start=\"1034\"\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1315\" data-start=\"1061\"\u003eThis classic \u003cstrong data-end=\"1130\" data-start=\"1074\"\u003eWorld War II–pattern Aeschbach military pocket watch\u003c\/strong\u003e, featuring a subsidiary seconds dial, is based on designs originally issued to Luftwaffe aircrews under the authority of the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1314\" data-start=\"1256\"\u003eReichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM – German Air Ministry)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1748\" data-start=\"1317\"\u003eDuring the war, pilots did not personally own these watches. Instead, they were issued on a mission-by-mission basis and returned to the quartermaster after each flight. The watch offered here closely mirrors one of Aeschbach’s original wartime designs. While genuine WWII examples are now scarce and command high prices, this modern production version is visually almost indistinguishable from those manufactured during the 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1992\" data-start=\"1750\"\u003eThe watch is fitted with a traditional \u003cstrong data-end=\"1832\" data-start=\"1789\"\u003e17-jewel hand-wound mechanical movement\u003c\/strong\u003e and updated with a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1875\" data-start=\"1852\"\u003edomed glass crystal\u003c\/strong\u003e, offering far greater durability than the easily scratched acrylic crystals commonly used during the wartime period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2211\" data-start=\"1994\"\u003eOriginal military pocket watches for the Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe were produced by numerous Swiss and German manufacturers — including \u003cstrong data-end=\"2156\" data-start=\"2143\"\u003eAeschbach\u003c\/strong\u003e, a company founded in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2187\" data-start=\"2179\"\u003e1923\u003c\/strong\u003e and still active today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2216\" data-start=\"2213\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2239\" data-start=\"2218\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2239\" data-start=\"2221\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2265\" data-start=\"2243\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2256\" data-start=\"2243\"\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 47.5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2304\" data-start=\"2268\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2297\" data-start=\"2268\"\u003eLength (including crown):\u003c\/strong\u003e 58mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2328\" data-start=\"2307\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2321\" data-start=\"2307\"\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2359\" data-start=\"2331\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2352\" data-start=\"2331\"\u003eCrystal Diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2393\" data-start=\"2362\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2379\" data-start=\"2362\"\u003eCrystal Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Domed glass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2436\" data-start=\"2396\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2409\" data-start=\"2396\"\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cal. 9011-PI, hand-wound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2455\" data-start=\"2439\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2450\" data-start=\"2439\"\u003eJewels:\u003c\/strong\u003e 17\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2485\" data-start=\"2458\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2472\" data-start=\"2458\"\u003eBeat Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18,000 A\/h\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2524\" data-start=\"2488\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2506\" data-start=\"2488\"\u003eCase Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2558\" data-start=\"2527\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2540\" data-start=\"2527\"\u003eCaseback:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2587\" data-start=\"2561\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2576\" data-start=\"2561\"\u003eLuminosity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Luminova\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2634\" data-start=\"2590\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2603\" data-start=\"2590\"\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supplied complete with chain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2679\" data-start=\"2637\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2651\" data-start=\"2637\"\u003ePackaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original presentation box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2723\" data-start=\"2682\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2696\" data-start=\"2682\"\u003eGuarantee:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2-year factory guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2728\" data-start=\"2725\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2772\" data-start=\"2730\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2772\" data-start=\"2733\"\u003eAeschbach Watches – A Brief History\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3014\" data-start=\"2774\"\u003eAeschbach was a prominent manufacturer of military timepieces during World War II. Tragically, the company suffered catastrophic losses due to its location in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2946\" data-start=\"2933\"\u003ePforzheim\u003c\/strong\u003e, a town that was heavily bombed during the final stages of the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3334\" data-start=\"3016\"\u003eOn \u003cstrong data-end=\"3039\" data-start=\"3019\"\u003e23 February 1945\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Royal Air Force carried out its most devastating raid on the town, resulting in approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"3160\" data-start=\"3139\"\u003e17,600 fatalities\u003c\/strong\u003e — around \u003cstrong data-end=\"3195\" data-start=\"3170\"\u003e31% of the population\u003c\/strong\u003e — and the destruction of roughly \u003cstrong data-end=\"3253\" data-start=\"3229\"\u003e83% of all buildings\u003c\/strong\u003e. Aeschbach’s workshops were completely destroyed, bringing production to a halt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3622\" data-start=\"3336\"\u003eYears later, the company experienced an unexpected revival when a family member discovered a cache of original technical drawings and surviving watches among an elderly relative’s possessions. This remarkable find provided the foundation for the modern rebirth of \u003cstrong data-end=\"3621\" data-start=\"3600\"\u003eAeschbach Watches\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3622\" data-start=\"3336\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\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\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elink\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3690\" data-start=\"3624\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3690\" data-start=\"3624\"\u003eMWC is a factory-authorised distributor for Aeschbach watches.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3695\" data-start=\"3692\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"3743\" data-start=\"3697\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3743\" data-start=\"3700\"\u003eWinding Instructions \u0026amp; Usage Guidelines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4004\" data-start=\"3745\"\u003eTo fully wind the watch from a stopped state, approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"3830\" data-start=\"3805\"\u003e30 turns of the crown\u003c\/strong\u003e are required — fewer than the 40 or more turns needed by many other hand-wound watches. Once fully wound, the watch provides an average \u003cstrong data-end=\"4003\" data-start=\"3967\"\u003epower reserve of around 36 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4230\" data-start=\"4006\"\u003eFor daily use, most owners find that fewer turns (typically around \u003cstrong data-end=\"4079\" data-start=\"4073\"\u003e25\u003c\/strong\u003e) are sufficient, as the watch is rarely allowed to run down completely. Over time, users naturally develop a feel for their preferred winding routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4507\" data-start=\"4232\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"4246\" data-start=\"4232\"\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4249\" data-start=\"4246\"\u003ePlease take care not to overwind the watch. Manual-wind movements can be damaged if wound beyond their designed limit, potentially affecting the mainspring and other internal components. Sensible winding ensures long-term reliability and optimal performance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aeschbach","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47569534222666,"sku":"ABACH\/RLMPW","price":272.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1140\/1866\/files\/ABACH_RLMPW_FEB0757b.jpg?v=1707210299","url":"https:\/\/mwcwatches.com\/ca\/products\/aeschbach-ww2-pattern-german-airforce-luftwaffe-17-jewel-hand-wound-military-pocket-watch","provider":"MWC - Military Watch Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}