SOLD
A VERY Sweet WW2 ELGiN, famous A-11 PiLOT’s MiLiTARY HACK Watch! These Elgin Military A-11 watches are getting harder to find in nice condition, but downright RARE in the Near Mint shape this Elgin Military Watch is in. I often say this, and have been proven correct each time—this watch will NOT last long! If you want it I’d pull the trigger (figurativeLy speaking) after you finish reading this ad!

Brief history of the WW2 ELGiN A-11 Military Watch: The Elgin A-11 Military watch was made from 1940 to 1945, originally for the Army Air Corps and hence considered Pilot watches. All these Elgin A-11 Military watches were made with Elgin 539 movements, mostly 15 and 16-jewel, HACKiNG movements, meaning they stop ticking when the crown was pulled out so that time could be precisely set with other military personnel for missions.

The Elgin Military A-11 watch was specified to have a steel back, but nickel alloy case, chrome plated for durability, The alloy case was to save steel for the war effort. Further, the Elgin A-11 military watch has solid, lume-painted minute and hour hands, a departure from luminous-filled skeleton hands, this to prevent flaking of luminous material getting into the movement.

These Elgin Military A-11 watches are amazing timepieces, with extremely high quality hacking movements, and a classic dial and hand look that presaged Rolex’s intro of the extremely popular Explorer style by about 10 years. It proves that function determines what ends up being the best style. Hence, why I adore military watches, and especially this Elgin A-11 military watch!

And speaking about this Elgin A-11 military timepiece, the condition is Near Mint! The case shows no wear or marks of usage, while the caseback has only the lightest surface evidence of handling, and perhaps storage, but no real wear. The Gorgeous Night-Black Elgin A-11 military ORiGiNAL watch dial has only very light patina of aging over the years...very hard to find an original A-11 dial in this condition, even new old stock since 60 years will put on some aging patina. I’d put the dial at about 95 percent or better. While the white numbers and hands look superb, they no longer glow after 60 years. The movement is just serviced, running extremely accurately.

Most remarkable is that this Elgin A-11 Military Pilot watch is ALL ORiGiNAL! Unlike the growth industry of making U.S. WW2-issue watches from remanufactured or NEW replica parts, THiS Elgin A-11 military pilot’s watch has ALL the original parts manufactured by Elgin during the war! It is unlikely you’ll find an ALL original Elgin A-11 Military watch with such little aging on it as this one has. If you do, it’s likely to have an aftermarket replica dial, case or hands!

One thing admittedly replica is the WW2 replica band, made to WW2 specs with stitched leather and canvas, just like one of the several styles issued with these by the U.S. Govt. During the war. It might be nice to have an original, but not to wear with the watch as you DON’T want this Elgin A-11 military watch falling off your wrist. That would be a real shame!

The serial number on the case dates this as issued in 1944. The serial number on the movement dates the actual manufacture of the movement as 1942. Many authorities state that this was the lead time from movement manufacture to fully assembled case, movement timing, and issue. This case and movement lag time in serialdates for the Elgin A-11 military watches seems to be normal.

Just serviced with it’s new WW2 replica strap, this ToTaLLY ORiGiNAL ELGiN PiLOT MiLiTARY Hack-set Watch is ready to be enjoyed. With the CooL and CHUNKY crown, the width comes to a respectable 35mm, wider than the current Rolex Date watch. It is about 40mm from lug to lug lengthwise. Honestly, offered this or a Rolex Explorer to wear (and not sell to turn a quick profit) I’d rather have this authentic beauty on my wrist.