Many pocket watch collectors focus their attention on pre-World War I timepieces, before wristwatches became mainstream. And yet the pocket watch continued evolving and improving, playing a significant role in World War II.

Breitling-issued military pocket watches are exceptionally uncommon, and this example, produced in the early 1940s under Contract No. 5273 and engraved “U.S. PROPERTY,” was issued to the U.S. military for navigational use. Each piece was built for the reliability and durability demanded by military service.

The watch features a black dial with 12-hour indices, enclosed within a Breitling Swiss-made case designed to withstand rigorous use. Its movement, 18 jewels, adjusted to 3 positions with stop watch function provides dependable accuracy under military conditions.

The contract engraving connects it directly to its wartime role, offering a tangible link to U.S. military operations during the Second World War.

If you’re looking for a military grade military Brietling pocket watch that’s as robust, accurate and beautiful, this is the Breitling Pocket Watch I would recommend.