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SOLD!
NOTE: while i love this particular model watch, and i work very hard to find these from collectors in this amazing condition, i do not know when i might be able to get another for sale as these are getting nearly impossible to find in this condition. do check back here every few weeks to see i am able to come up with another such treasure, but for now, this was the last one i had. congrats to the buyer.

Here it is, available for purchase right now. A very RARE near mint JET BLACK ENAMEL Dial late war ALL original ELGiN A-11 military issue hack-setting watch in as-issued condition, with (amazingly) virtually no wear except for luminous aging, and a very surface mark or two.

And not a panzy small 40s watch! NO! This Elgin WW2 military Hack watch is 32mm wide WiTHOUT the crown, and including the crown it's 36mm wide, by 40mm long lug to lug! The crown is a BiG thick beefy crown for operating with flight gloves. Almost modern sizing for a ww2 military, having the dimensions of the Rolex Datejusts prior to their upsizing last year. This ELGiN military WW2 issue hack watch looks as if it has been stored from the time it was issued in 1945 until a few months later when the war ended...and had been pretty much stored ever since.

It is fully serviced and warrantied for the servicing, which included full dismantling, cleaning, lubrication with Rolex-grade lubricants, and included replacement of any parts that needed it, bringing the watch up to full spec operation. Our watchmaker is Master Watchmaker Jorge Montoya of Montoya Watch Services (check him out: http://montoyawatchservices.blogspot.com), who worked 12 years at Rolex, leaving the Beverly Hills Rolex office to devote full time to his own watchmaking, only when Rolex BH closed permanently in 2008. Jorge's the best, worked calibrating Daytonas for Rolex, and is among the best watchmakers in the world!

A bit more about this Elgin Military A-11 before going into some ELGiN A-11 background. As mentioned, this has the virtually unseen JET BLACK ENAMEL dial which, except for the aged luminous, shows basically NO aging. This amazing dial is all original and is very hard to find on these ELGiN A-11 Military watches as it came out late in the war, and most ELGiN A-11 watches had the (still beautiful) mat black dials.

The all original near pristine Elgin 539 movement dates from 1944, which is 1-year prior to the 1945 case, which is standard as the movements were generally made 1-2 years prior to being cased, though not always.

The case has nearly no wear on it, except a few very light surface handling marks and a few standard very minor marks of manufacture. I'd easily rate the case condition at 98 percent, phenomenal for anything this old, let alone an historical WW2 watch or timepiece. The watch looks totally stored from the time of it's issue late in the last year of the war, and since, with at most only a rare, careful wearing.

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!

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 elsewhere with such little aging as here. If you do, it’s likely to have an aftermarket replica dial, case or hands!

A one-piece, period proper, canvas band will be provided for this watch as well. These go very quickly, usually before I'm able to put them up on the website here, when I have one, so I'd suggest purchasing if you like :D

EMail Us to inquire

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SOLD
(ad is left here for reference purposes only)...A rare piece of 20th Century World and MiLiTARY History!
This Rhodesian MiLiTARY Issue (with rare ‘RA’ Ordnance numbers) 70s ROAMER ANFiBiO watch!

Again...a Rhodesian Military Issue 1970s ROAMER ANFiBiO watch with the ‘RA’ (for Rhodesia) Ordnance numbers on the back! For those not familiar with this Cult timepiece, here’s an outlandishly brief history (and you can check out more on this watch at: http://www.freewebs.com/billyschorr/militaryroameranfibios.htm

This was ‘the’ chosen timepiece of Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith’s apartheid government as it fought against rebels seeking it’s overthrow. Declaring independence from Britain in 1965, the Rhodesians (including both black and white soldiers) fought several black guerilla groups against increasing odds and violence until 1979 when an agreement allowed the Brits to resume control briefly, and see the country through elections in 1980.

The Roamer Anfibio watch was a rugged and hardy Swiss military water resistant watch that apparently was smuggled from Britain, through sympathetic South Africa, into Rhodesia for use and issue as Rhodesia’s Military watch.

The Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Military Issue watch was made by Roamer from 1974 until the late 70s and became the iconic watch of the war, mainly because it was an actual ordnance issued watch, and was issued and in use by the Rhodesians documentably during the heaviest portion of the war, from 1974 to it’s end. This Roamer Anfibio was used by virtually all units of the Rhodesian forces including the famous Selous Scouts, Rhodesian SAS and air force, etc.

THiS particular ROAMER ANFiBiO watch is typical of this 17-jewel hacking timepiece, HOWEVER, this Roamer Anfibio has the RARER ‘RA’ (standing for the country of Rhodesia) Ordnance numbers on the back. Many if not most of these Rhodesian Military Roamer Anfibio watches had ‘ZA’ ordnance numbers, standing for Zuid Afrika, or South Africa, since all or most of these Roamer Anfibio Rhodesia Military watches came to Rhodesia through South Africa, the lone government willing to break the worldwide boycott of Rhodesia, and funnel in military materiel, including these watches.

This RoamerAnfibio Rhodesian Military Issue watch is incredibly rare. The only place to buy legitimate Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Military watches is from the few private owners or collectors willing to part with them. I actually purchased this to collect, but, as always, I have found other watches calling, and I can’t keep everything.

A warning for true collectors. Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Military watches made from buckets of decommissioned worn Roamer parts were purchased by a dealer, who does at times sell them. These watches are pieced together from worn dials, movements, and other parts, with worn cases that have been highly polished down. Nothing wrong, however, do know what you are getting.

The watch shown here was made, and issued, with all the parts shown. It has not been polished or buffed, in order, to maintain it’s historical value. This Roamer Anfibio Rhodesian Issue Military watch has been fully serviced, and is in excellent condition with moderate surface wear that was from it’s years of service in the Rhodesian Military. For a true collector of Military Issue Ordnanced timepieces, such as the iconic Rhodesian Military Roamer Anfibio watch, this would be one of the finest examples you are likely to find. I purchased personally from a collector, and had planned to keep it. Ahhh, all the watches I planned to keep!

The Roamer Anfibio comes with a rare and hardy MST520 17-jewel hacking manual wind movement running at 21600 bph. This model has no date window, and the movement has no date module, though these were made with the crown pulling out three clicks because the date models use the same stock movement, but with a date module added. Supplied, as the originals were, on a black leather strap, though many units switched them over to a leather covered case, which is available various places online.

This is the only one I have. If interested I’d suggest using the paypal link to make sure you get it asap.

$ 0.00   

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SOLD I got 2 of these Jean Marcel watches about 7 years ago, NEW in the BoXes with papers, UNUSED! NOT EVER tried on, just BRAND NEW Jean Marcels, and put in the VAULT by moi. ONE has sold recently so down to the last one for sale!

These two JEAN MARCEL ALL SwiSS ETA 2824, ALL STEEL automatics in the boxes w/papers are offered here at less than half their tagged $695 price! They have thick heavy Mineral Glass Domed Crystals and are a nice size of 42mm lug to lug and 38mm wide including the crown! Total prestige Jean Marcel Luxury watch quality! The one remaining has a more desired porcelain color-white Roman Numeral dial, and otherwise is the same watch, very reminiscent of the Rolex Roman Numeral datejust.

If you don’t know Jean Marcel, google them and you’ll see they are a high-end SwiSS LUXURY brand whose simple ETA Automatic watches START at over $1000. So getting this NEW Jean Marcel watch, all Swiss ETA 2824 Automatic with DATE unused w/original boxes/papers is quite the deal.

These Jean Marcel watch beauties come with the original $695 stickers, in the original Jean Marcel boxes with papers. You can strap them on and wear...just the slightest hand motion sends the smoooooth ETA 2824 Swiss Movement running.

I only have one of these Jean Marcel timepieces left. The two Gorgeous Jean Marcel dials available are the Creme GuiLLOCHE Dial, and the rare China/Porcelain-white shade Roman Numeral Dial with the same pedigree as the Rolex and Cartier Roman Numeral dials that are so esteemed. As mentioned it seems to be the more desired with collectors now that this particular model is no longer made by Jean Marcel. This is simply the most marvelous dial on this ALL STEEL swiss automatic mechanical Jean Marcel wristwatch! You also can see the beautiful ETA 2824 automatic Swiss movement through the screw-down GlaSS back! As a song says, Much too marvelous...too marvelous for words! I don't know if they were thinking of Jean Marcel when it was written.

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SOLD
This is what I have a Watch Website for! Being able to offer one of the rarest British Issue MiLiTARY watches from WW2... the UNiTAS 'ATP' (Army Time Piece) Military Watch! Get that? A UNiTAS 'ATP' WW2 MiLiTARY Issue Watch! (note: the 'Bravington's' logo on the back comes from Bravingtons being the supplier for these and other brand ATP Military watches to the British government in WW2, although some claim Bravington's put their logo on these after the war and sold them as post war surplus.)

For those of you who know what a WW2 British Issue ATP Watch is, you are already clicking the paypal link and purchasing it. For those who don't know, a brief history is as follows: the ATP watches were the first British Army watch of WW2, contracted from the Swiss in 1939. They were replaced by the larger black dialed WWW (Wristwatch, Waterproof) in the last two years of the war.

What makes this UNiTAS 'ATP" WW2 MiLiTARY watch, in part, so RARE is the Swiss requirement for providing ATP watches, i.e. that they BE DESTROYED at the end of the war, which MANY were. These WW2 Military ATP watches were contracted at low prices from the Swiss, and the Swiss companies did not want the WW2 Military ATP watches competing with what would be their production after the war.

Luckily, a number of them survived. No such 'destroy' order existed for the WWW watches coming online in 1944.

The UNiTAS 'ATP' WW2 Military watch is rare beyond the wholesale destruction of ATP watches at war's end. Those of you who know your watches are, again, probably already clicking the paypal link. UNiTAS is one of the hallowed names of watchmaking. Of those that provided atp's to the British, the most renowned were Lemania and Unitas, whose movements were and are prized as not only making their own movements, but for making legendary movements that left the other manufacturers behind. Aside from that, Unitas atp's are extraordinarily hard to find. More so in the condition this one is in. The UNiTAS movements are so legendary that very high grade special issues of watches with UNiTAS movements can now be seen, new old stock from the past, and replications of their old calibers.

Ahhh, but to have a real, vintage UNiTAS ATP WW2 Military watch...perhaps the pinnacle of collectibility? Well, at least for the Military watch collector. And thus, as they say, you've gotta have it.

This UNiTAS ATP WW2 Military watch, aside from being rare just for existing, is in remarkable shape. I was told upon purchase that it was used during the war, and then stored upon war's end until it's sale to, ME. The condition certainly bares this possibility out. The ALL STEEL ScrewBack case with FiXED BARS has some marks of use on it, but very little wear from prolonged use such as years of wearing. The dial is in beautiful condition, but does have a patina (for want of a better word).

Still, that is scant wear, especially for a WW2 Military watch. Finding a WW2 ATP watch in this condition is quite rare, let alone a UNiTAS WW2 ATP Military watch. As for the UNiTAS signed movement, it looks virtually new...no wear and marks from years of being serviced. Yup, I'd say storage since WW2 is very consistent for the appearance of this UNiTAS WW2 ATP Military watch. The collector from whom I purchased it stated it had been recently serviced. This I have no independent knowlege of, though I can say this UNiTAS WW2 ATP Military timepiece is running very well and proper.

This UNiTAS ATP WW2 Military timepiece is nicely sized at 36mm wide (including crown) and 38mm long lug to lug, larger than a 60s Rolex men's Oyster Precision, and perhaps the largest of the British WW2 ATP Military watches...another reason for getting it if you don't like itty bitty watches.

The UNiTAS ATP WW2 Military comes supplied on a new calf grain band. I'd suggest NOT just thinking about buying this. As the Nike logo goes, JUST DO iT! Once gone these are virtually impossible to find. In any condition. Don't be kicking yourself ;D

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The Casablancawatch.com FABuLOUS LoGo Shirts are NoW here, starting at JUST UNDeR $21 for the T-SHiRT!

Check them out at our online store...SCADS of Colourful Hoodies to PoLo Shirts (we don't have the polo horses yet, but we're working on it), and long/short sleeve T's and sWeatshirts...aLL with the iNCREDiBLE CASABLANCAWATCH.COM RETRO Logo based on the VF-3 NavaL bomber group's WW2 patch. This is the Famous BLaCK CaT with the lit bomb patch that saw use also in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and is still in use today!

U.S. MiLiTARY personnel can enjoy buying this RETRO LoGo based on the VF Bombing group...or any of our collectible Vintage MiLiTARY WaTCHES! ALSO, there are our Vintage Leather U.S. Military issue A-2 and G-1 jackets...and now you can have the ACTUAL famous VF-3 Flight Group Patch made for you (available in our 'military patch' section! Geeeeez, what more can you ask?!

Buy what you like through our shop, located here (CLiCK on the pretty T-shirt!)>>>
These are the BeST quality T's, PoLos and HooDies around, but now they have what nO other shirt has...THE Casablancawatch.com RETRO LoGo!...as they say...PRiCELESS!

Well, there is a price...they start at just $20.99 for the richLy coloured T's with Andy Warhol-grade silkscreen printing of our LoGo! What more canya ask?!

$ 21.00   

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We are pleased to offer AUTHENTiC Leather U.S. MiLiTARY Patches, for your A-2 or G-1 (or other) MiLiTARY jacket, for your collection, for framing, or to honor a loved one or friend who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces!!!

Produced by one of the leading artists and recreators of U.S. Leather MiLiTARY patches for the last 30 years, using authentic methods, designs and materials that the U.S. Navy and Army Air Force did during WW2, our artist has made thousands of leather U.S. Military Patches for WW2 aces, collectors, loved ones of Veterans, and active U.S. Military Personnel who want the best and most accurate and authentic work on their jackets!

From his own library of 1000s of authentic designs, our U.S. Military patch artist also will make a leather patch from authentic designs you may provide, full size on a color Xerox, from a patch you or a loved one wore, or one you want in your collection that you have seen in a photograph, or from a book such as the bible of flight jacket Militaria, ‘American Flight Jackets’ by Maguire and Conway.

My love of U.S. Leather Military Patches, their history and their use on A-2, G-1 and other classic U.S. Military leather flight jackets, brought me to perhaps the best recreator and current producer of Leather U.S. Military patches, and he is now making these for us. Leather is the first and best choice of material for patches in WW2, and to this day. And it looks, and holds up, as great as your jacket.

A dear friend gave me an authentic VF-3 Felix the cat (carrying the bomb, see below) felt-embroidered patch. It was beautiful, but I knew it would never hold up, nor match the beauty, of my G-1 jacket. Only leather could be as authentic, and beautifully durable, as the U.S. military leather jacket it was to go on. Through much research, I found the artist who produces for the true collectors, and former WW2 aces and pilots when they want an authentic leather military patch.

Two samples of the work is shown below, a WW2 Seabees patch, and the U.S. Naval fighter group patch that brought me to the world of patches, the VF-3 Felix and bomb patch. This is the original design, from the WW2 ‘Fighting Three’ VF-3 group, a design that is arguably the most popular of all WW2 U.S. Military leather patches, or patches period. It has been copied and used by proceeding U.S. fighter groups from the VF-6 to the VF-31, into the jet age. Felix rules!

But remember, we can produce any design, though size and complexity may add to the price. Our normal patch is regulation 5 to 6" (current day patches are just over 4"). Price for our standard U.S. Military Leather Patch is $75. Premium leather is used, along with the finest oil based paint pigments, and the same process of sculpting the design into the leather prior to filling in with paint, is used as it was in WW2!

These patches are as durable as the originals from WW2, which are still on many jackets today. However, many collectors have put our patches under glass behind a frame alongside documents or signatures from pilots and aces from WW2, Korea, and other actions.

Just one quote from our artist to give an idea of what type of work he does: "One veteran was nearly in tears when I sent him his patch, he had been trying to find an original and you know how hard they are to find...he called me and I could tell it was all he could do to keep from crying on the phone. It really makes it worthwhile when you get a call like that!"

Need we say more? Turnaround time is approximately 2 weeks.

Whether you wish to kick around with one of our classic vintage milspec U.S. Military leather flight jackets (just look through our site to find one), or you are spending a $1000 for an accurate WW2 high-end authentic replicated jacket, you can’t do better than put one of these patches on your jacket.

BELOW, along with two samples of his work, is another by our artist: a framed famous 'Joker' leather patch, design from WW2, signed by a member of the squad and POW of Stalag Luft 1, and framed by a major collector!

Just contact us at michael@casablancawatch.com, we'll discuss the design for your patch, cost, and then we'll send you a form to easily pay using your credit card with Paypal (no, you don't have to be a member, and it's SeCuRE!), or we can accept other payment options.

$ 75.00   

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Two MiNTY NeW OLD SToCK British MiLiTaRY Watches from the early 60s! Issued with Brit ORDNANCE Numbers but Never worn (though countless of THiS specific watch were worn in the British-Indonesian conflict of 1962).

ALL STeeL, I have 2 DiaL Versions of these British MiLiTARY Watches). These are 36 mm diameter not including lugs, the manufacturer name of “HMT”.

These are British Military Watches with full Brit Ordnance numbers from the 1962 Indonesian campaign. These two Military Issue watches have the BRiTiSH Broad Arrow and British MiLiTARY Ordnance numbers on the back. The pieces dates to the Indonesian Conflict of ‘62.

In a fascinating turn of Military sourcing, the Movement is a SLAVA Caliber 1809, a manual wind exceedingly rugged caliber. The SLAVA was a Russian (or in 1962) Soviet, watch manufactory. “HMT“ used Soviet Made movements for these British Military Watches issued for the Indonesian campaign.

The irony? British Forces were fighting Communism in Indonesia.

As an aside, a somewhat similar ironic situation regarding the Rhodesian Military Issue watch early on in the Rhodesian conflict against Communist-backed guerillas in the 1960s...that watch was a Zaigor, which also used the same Soviet-made movement. The Zaigor was eventually replaced as the conflict heated up in 1974 by the Roamer, a Swiss-made military watch.

Back to this British Issue Military Watch. It is a 17-jewel caliber that is superbly accurate and bulletproof (well, maybe not literally), ALL STeeL screwBack case. Also states “para shock”, not a reference to any sort of paramilitary shock troops, but rather the shock absorption system of the movement.

The beautiful functionally styled case is 44mm lug to lug, and 36mm diameter without the crown. Very clean, these are all NeW OLD SToCK, NeVeR WoRN, with only the original marks of manufacturing and a few light surface marks here and there of storage. The DiaL and Movement are Pristine MiNT (though the GLO stuff no longer glows), and with light evidence of storage over the years, the Cases are at 98% mint new condition. On the screwBack are the British MiLiTARY Broad Arrow and Ordnance Numbers that can be seen below in the picture.

These come on NU BLaCK Canvas Military Straps of the sort they would have been issued with. EMail Us to buy! Or pay with Paypal (top button for U.S. buyers and second button for International buyers)>>>

$ 125.00