I’m looking to get into historic watch collecting and was wondering what the most “authentic” historic watches are. Here’s what I mean by that:
I want to purchase new watches, at least to start, but I want them to have historic significance (think the Omega Speedmaster having been the first watch on the moon or the CWC G10 having been sold to the British MOD at the end of the Cold War). Ideally a watch would still have the original build and be manufactured by the same company.
Extra interested in military watches, but open to any and all suggestions!
The Omega Marine. First dive watch, 1932. (Also, the first divers extension on the strap.)
Seiko Pogue
rdunae ra03 - GGW113 - 34mm
Vostok amphibia (I would not buy one new)
Bulova lunar pilot
I’m into the same stories, OP.
Check out Marathon’s steel navigator. It’s basically a reissue of their 1986 pilot watch that was used by the US military.
Also, the Citizen NY0040 has a fun story. That watch was issued to the Italian Navy. And it’s super affordable.
Squale and Panarai have a similar history with the Italian military.
The Bulova Milships is basically a one for one copy of a prototype watch that was never produced until now.
No shortage, friend. Enjoy the hunt!