SKU Code: AESC/DUH2CH
This classic, hand-wound WWII-pattern Aeschbach* military watch features a Swiss 24-jewel Sellita SW216 movement and a subsidiary seconds dial. Modeled after the designs used by the German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe during World War II, this watch closely resembles Aeschbach’s original WWII models. While the originals are now rare and fetch high prices, this version retains the period look with added durability. Upgrades include 100m water resistance and a shatter- and scratch-resistant box sapphire crystal, which maintains the outward appearance of the original plexiglass. Additionally, the movement is upgraded from the original 15-jewel hand-wound to a 24-jewel hand-wound movement, improving reliability for daily wear.
Original WWII watches for the Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe were produced by many Swiss and German manufacturers, including Aeschbach, founded in 1923. Collecting German military watches from WWII is challenging due to the large number of suppliers—over 100 manufacturers at the time. A list of these manufacturers can be found on Military Watches.
This watch features a solid, military-grade 316L stainless steel case, subsidiary seconds dial, hacking function, screw-down crown, black dial, and luminous markings.
Specifications
- Case Diameter: 36.5 mm (excluding crown), 39 mm (including crown)
- Lug to Lug: 43 mm
- Thickness: 12.5 mm
- Lug Type: Spring strap bars
- Dial Color: Black
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel
- Caseback: 316L stainless steel
- Crown: Screw-down stainless steel locking crown
- Water Resistance: 100m / 330ft / 10 ATM
- Movement: Hand-Wound Swiss 24-Jewel Mechanical Sellita SW216
- Crystal: Shatter- and scratch-resistant box sapphire with anti-reflective coating*
- Luminous Material: Luminova
- Serial Number: Engraved on caseback
- Strap: Black Leather
- Packaging: Supplied in a box
- Warranty: 24 months
* MWC is an official distributor of Aeschbach watches.
Benefits of Sapphire Crystal
Synthetic sapphire is a superior choice for watch crystals due to its remarkable strength, scratch resistance, and shatter resistance, making it ideal for military, security personnel, police, and outdoor enthusiasts. Unlike the original plexiglass, which scratched easily and limited water resistance, sapphire provides a significantly higher level of durability. When accidents involving cracked crystals occur, over 90% typically involve mineral glass or plexiglass. Sapphire crystals undergo heat treatment to eliminate internal stresses and are finished with two layers of anti-reflective coating, adding to their resilience.
SWISS SELLITA SW216 MOVEMENT WINDING GUIDELINES
To fully wind the SW216 from an empty state, 20-25 turns of the crown are required (less than the 30-40 turns for most hand-wound watches). This watch has a 42-hour power reserve when fully wound.
Important: When securing the screw-down crown, the locking action adds an additional 3-4 winds, so factor this in to avoid overwinding. Daily winding routines may vary; some users find 15-17 turns sufficient for a 24-hour interval, as the watch will not need a full wind each day.
Overwinding, which can cause damage to the mainspring, is primarily a concern for manually wound watches. Adhering to recommended winding procedures ensures the longevity and proper function of the timepiece.
