SKU: ABACH/DUHR2/HW

Aeschbach WW2 Luftwaffe Pattern Hand-Wound Military Watch

This classic hand-wound Aeschbach military watch is inspired by the timepieces supplied to the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Featuring a traditional subsidiary seconds dial and period-correct styling, it closely follows the design of watches issued under the authority of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM – German Air Ministry).

Unlike modern military watches, these original timepieces were generally issued to pilots and aircrew on a mission-by-mission basis and were returned to the unit quartermaster upon completion of their duties. As a result, surviving examples are now relatively scarce and highly sought after by collectors.

This model faithfully recreates one of Aeschbach's wartime designs and is outwardly almost indistinguishable from the original watches produced by the company during the 1940s. It retains many authentic features, including the traditional acrylic crystal, while incorporating discreet modern improvements that make it better suited to everyday wear. The original 15-jewel hand-wound movement has been replaced with a more robust 17-jewel mechanical movement, improving reliability without altering the watch's historical appearance.

During WW2, military watches supplied to the Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe were manufactured by numerous Swiss and German companies, including Aeschbach, a firm founded in 1923 that remains in existence today. While Britain is famous for its "Dirty Dozen" military watches, collecting the German equivalents is considerably more challenging due to the vast number of manufacturers involved—well over one hundred companies supplied military watches during the war. See https://military-watches.net/ww2-german-watches

This watch features a solid 316L stainless steel case, a hacking hand-wound movement, black dial, subsidiary seconds display, and luminous hands and markers for excellent legibility.

Important Winding Instructions

To fully wind the watch from a completely discharged state requires approximately 30 turns of the crown. This is fewer than many other hand-wound watches, which often require 40 turns or more.

When fully wound, the watch offers an average power reserve of approximately 36 hours.

If the watch is worn and wound daily, it will generally not require a complete 30-turn winding each day. Many owners find that approximately 20–25 turns every 24 hours is sufficient to maintain a healthy power reserve. Individual preferences may vary, and most users quickly develop a winding routine that suits their usage.

Avoid Overwinding

As with any hand-wound mechanical watch, care should be taken not to force the crown once the mainspring has reached its maximum tension.

Excessive force can potentially damage the winding mechanism or mainspring and may lead to operational problems. For this reason, we recommend following the winding guidelines above and exercising reasonable care during winding.

It is important to note that this caution applies only to manually wound watches. Automatic watches are designed differently and, under normal circumstances, cannot be damaged through routine winding.

By following these simple guidelines, your Aeschbach timepiece should provide many years of reliable service and enjoyment.

This version reads more like a premium watch catalogue description while keeping the historical and technical details intact.

Tracked Mail

Europe: €11.75 / £9.99 / US$12.95
UK: £7.95 / €9.50 / US$10.50
Rest of World: US$22.75 / €20.50 / £17.50

Express Courier (UPS or FedEx)

Europe: €23.50 / £19.99 / US$25.95
UK (UPS/DPD): £12.95 / €15.25 / US$16.95
Rest of World: US$45.50 / €41.25 / £34.95

Shipping costs may vary slightly depending on parcel weight and dimensions. Final rates are shown at checkout. The prices above apply to approximately 85% of orders.

If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 14 days of receipt. Items must be unused, in original packaging, and in new, resalable condition. Returns cannot be accepted for worn items, removed protective films, or any signs of use beyond normal inspection.

To request a return authorization number, please use the form at the link below.