Vintage Military Photos - Watches have always been inextricably linked with the European history of the past centuries and for us - lovers of vintage - they represent a silent testimony of historical events that took place in Europe and elsewhere, and personal stories related to these events. In this article, we focus on a special type of watch that, with its primary conception as a functional tool, represents the victory of utility over the purely aesthetic component present in many other types of watches. We think of military watches and their not always understood heritage. In future articles, we will delve deeper into the rabbit hole surrounding some of the most famous watches that military history has given us and how most governments at different time periods have come to understand the importance of watches as a vital piece of equipment needed by their armies. be able to face any conflict.
For the casual watch collector, or simply for those not familiar with military watches and the wider watchmaking community in general, interest in military watches often boils down to studying the pilot pieces introduced by some reputable brands mainly from the 50s onwards. larger diameters, sometimes large GMT complications, tachymeters, telemeters, and often with more aesthetic cases, seemed like the perfect tool watch for those who wanted to wear a small testament of military equipment on their wrist.
Vintage Military Photos
However, military watches, precisely those intended to be worn by soldiers on the battlefield, were pieces made for robustness and usability that often had to learn to live without improvement due to the particular demands of their time and circumstances. and the aesthetic concessions of their more luxurious civilian counterparts. Luxury Swiss brands such as Rolex, Omega, Longines, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Eterna or Ebel are known to every serious collector today, and their watches are sought-after pieces in every collection. However, not every collector knows that relatively unknown watches of the same brands and many others lost in oblivion were worn by anonymous soldiers in the most important military conflicts that deeply marked the 20th century. century. This article is a humble tribute to the memory of these soldiers, their lives, experiences and faithful companions that they always carried on their arm in these stormy times.
Vintage Military Rucksack Backpack
While in the first half of the 20th century civilian watches were often designed as an accessory whose main function was to show the status of the wearer and where precious metals and complicated dials were common, military watches were about simplicity, frugality and above all. everything, readability. These were small watches by today's standards, either between 28mm and 34mm, although in later times the diameter sizes gradually increased. In such small boxes and dials, there was little room for anything but the essentials. In addition, the brands producing this type of watch were not free to design them, as production orders often came from governments through tenders where most of the design details were already fixed in advance.
Due to the time that has already passed and the simplicity of some of the watch cases of the time, especially the nickel-chrome ones, many pieces have arrived today in relatively poor condition. Again, while fidelity to the original is one of the most sought-after collectible features of any vintage watch these days, it should not be forgotten that military watches often had to be urgently repaired on the battlefield by the military watchmakers whose main task was to make them. to work again regardless of the originality of the parts they used. This is the main reason why it is not easy to find military watches used in World War I or II with all original parts intact.
We hope this article may be of interest to those of you who are new to this watch, and we encourage you to read other articles we plan to write in the future to delve deeper into the world of military watches.
As a full-time trader in the petrochemicals sector and a part-time university lecturer based in Dusseldorf (GER), Santiago has over the years developed a real obsession with watches of all kinds, especially vintage mechanical watches. Although his growing collection spans many different watch styles and time periods, his greatest passion is currently vintage military watches and chronographs, and King and Grand Seikos from the 1970s. After all, he likes to say that he is on the long-term path to becoming an all-around watch "connoisseur".
Old Military Combat Boots American Flag Dog Tags Rocky Gravel Stock Photo By ©krisrobin 199248284
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