{"product_id":"wwii-pattern-american-army-ordnance-ord-watch-automatic","title":"WWII 1940 Pattern American Army Ordnance \/ ORD Watch (Automatic)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSKU: ORD1\/AU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring WWII, Ordnance watches were produced for the US military by \u003cstrong\u003eWaltham, Hamilton, Bulova, and Elgin\u003c\/strong\u003e. Due to wartime conditions and material shortages, these original watches were made of \u003cstrong\u003enickel-plated brass\u003c\/strong\u003e instead of stainless steel, making it difficult to find one in good condition today. The original Ordnance watches were small, measuring \u003cstrong\u003e33\/34mm\u003c\/strong\u003e, but we have slightly increased the size to \u003cstrong\u003e36.5 mm (excluding the crown)\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e39 mm (including the crown)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a more contemporary fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eUS Army Ordnance Department\u003c\/strong\u003e watches were designed for non-aviation personnel, while the similar \u003cstrong\u003eA-11\u003c\/strong\u003e model, with a black dial, was issued to USAAF aircrew. Interestingly, the British War Office had procured a similar watch design in \u003cstrong\u003e1938\u003c\/strong\u003e, two years prior to the introduction of the ORD watches, explaining the near-identical look of both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical Context:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore WWII, soldiers, particularly in WWI, often adapted civilian \u003cstrong\u003epocket watches\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003etrench watches\u003c\/strong\u003e for military use. It wasn’t until shortly before WWII that the British War Office began procuring watches specifically designed for military use, with the \u003cstrong\u003eUS Army Ordnance Department\u003c\/strong\u003e following suit two years later. The \u003cstrong\u003eORD DEPT.\u003c\/strong\u003e issued these watches during the war, with the \u003cstrong\u003e1940 Ordnance Department specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e standardizing the timepieces for military personnel. This watch, though automatic, captures the spirit of the original hand-wound design. We also offer a \u003cstrong\u003emanual hand-winding version\u003c\/strong\u003e for those seeking a closer match to the WWII models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eComparison:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe last two images, shared by a watch enthusiast, show original WWII \u003cstrong\u003eElgin ORD watches\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the third image displays a \u003cstrong\u003eGrana ATP British military watch\u003c\/strong\u003e. As seen in the photos, both follow a nearly identical design, with minimal differences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase Diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e: 36.5 mm (excluding crown), 39 mm (including crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to Lug\u003c\/strong\u003e: 43 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness\u003c\/strong\u003e: 13.5 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug Type\u003c\/strong\u003e: Spring Bars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial Color\u003c\/strong\u003e: Off White\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase Material\u003c\/strong\u003e: 316L Stainless Steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaseback\u003c\/strong\u003e: 316L Stainless Steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown\u003c\/strong\u003e: 316L Stainless Steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e: 5 ATM (50 meters)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement\u003c\/strong\u003e: 21-jewel automatic with a 36-hour power reserve\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHacking Function\u003c\/strong\u003e: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubsidiary Second Hand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlass\u003c\/strong\u003e: Plexiglass \/ Perspex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLuminous Material\u003c\/strong\u003e: Luminova\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial Number\u003c\/strong\u003e: Engraved on caseback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrap\u003c\/strong\u003e: 18 mm canvas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e: 24 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis watch is a tribute to the original US military Ordnance watches, combining a vintage design with modern functionality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MWC - Military Watch Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40377433817203,"sku":"ORD1\/AU","price":327.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1140\/1866\/products\/ORD1_AU-ORD1_HWonStrap_AUG0019b.jpg?v=1661251835","url":"https:\/\/mwcwatches.com\/ca\/products\/wwii-pattern-american-army-ordnance-ord-watch-automatic","provider":"MWC - Military Watch Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}