1950s Waltham Type A-17 Pilots Watch “Korean War Era” U.S Military Issued

The Waltham Type A-17 is a U.S. Military issued pilot’s Timepiece that was in production from 1950-1956 (Korean War Era) and was the new and improved version of the WWII era Waltham Type A-11. The A-17 was designed as a navigation Timepiece for pilots and aviators, had been in development for some time as an upgraded version of the A-11, featuring radium Arabic numerals, 5-minute indices, lumed pencil-style hands, and a subsidiary 24-hour track. The practical dial layout and no-nonsense design give the wearer the perfect utilitarian feeling that makes these early Military watches so sought after. Although this is a smaller watch in nature, the dial layout was designed for fast legibility. The A-17 is powered by the US made Waltham 17 jewel 6/0 D Manual Wind movement. 

The Waltham A-17 was made in three production runs. 1950, 1952 and 1956. The one we have listed here is from the 1950 batch, apparent from the early serial number. What the Waltham Type A-17 lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. That being said the A-17 definitely doesn’t feel like a “small watch” once it is on the wrist due to the large presence it delivers from the purpose-built design. 

Stock #		WTHA17
Brand		Waltham
Style		Military
Model		Type A-17
Serial		03XXX
Size		Men’s
Material		Stainless Steel
Dial		Matte Black
Millimeters		32
Strap		2pc Military Style Cloth Strap

 

CASE & Bracelet

The stainless steel case is extremely well preserved and believed to remain Unpolished. All of the case finishings remain in factory condition with sharp lines throughout and only light honest signs of use. The screw-down coin edge bezel is remarkable as well, showing only minor signs of use. The screw-down case back clearly displays all Military markings in excellent condition. The watch will come supplied on its issued cloth military strap.

DIAL & HANDS

The matte Black dial is in superb original factory condition with very little signs of aging. The white outer minute track and inner 24hr scale remain clear and legible. The original radium lume plots and Arabic numerals have aged evenly to a lovely dark beige patina, under U.V. light inspection the dial exhibits no degradation with all lume plots remaining fully intact. The original radium lume hands match the dial perfectly, under U.V. light inspection the hands show no lume loss or degradation, the hands themselves do show normal corrosion for this style and era Timepiece.

Accessories 

None. Watch is functioning and keeping time perfectly, previous service history is unknown.