A-11 Type 44

Originally produced by Waltham during WWII, the A-11 became a standard-issue timepiece for U.S. servicemen and earned the nickname “The Watch That Won the War.”Our A-11 Type 44 carries that legacy forward—steeped in American military history and available in an ultra-authentic 32mm or a modern 38mm size. Paired with a 1940s-style Bonklip bracelet, it’s a faithful WWII revival built for the 21st century.

Bonklip Field Bracelet

First developed in the 1920s, the Bonklip Bracelet became popular for its hollow link design—lightweight, breathable, and easily adjustable like a leather or canvas strap.

It gained traction in the 1940s thanks to its affordability and was later issued to RAF aircrews in the ’60s. During our early research, we learned that Bonklips were used on WWII A-11s for their rugged yet practical design.

Swiss Made Movement

Timekeeping has always been vital for troops and squads in combat. Recognizing this, the U.S. military introduced the A-11 specification in the 1940s to provide soldiers with a durable and accurate timepiece.

Three major American watchmaking companies—Hamilton, Waltham, and Elgin—produced A-11 watches during the war, each with slight variations in case and dial design but all adhering to the same core specifications. With over 100,000 units made, the A-11 became a trusted tool not just for U.S. forces but for Allied troops worldwide, thanks to its reliability and precision.

For our A-11 Type 44—we chose the Landeron L21 automatic movement. While true to the original A-11’s simplicity and function, the L21 offers enhanced durability, a smooth sweeping second hand, and accuracy with minimal maintenance.

Assembled in AMERICA!

“When I founded Praesidus Watch Co. in 2019, I had one simple goal : to build watches that honor American history and craftsmanship. It started when I met WWII veteran Tom Rice—his story inspired our first A-11 model and set us on a path to revive American watchmaking with purpose.

From day one, we’ve focused on doing things the hard way: sourcing the best affordable Swiss movements, bringing them home, then building rugged, military-inspired watches that tell real stories.

Today, Praesidus offers some of the most affordable USA-assembled watches on the market; quartz, automatic, and soon solar-powered.

Yes, there is still work ahead, but we are proud of what we have built so far. So, if you believe in history and supporting American manufacturing, a Praesidus watch is time well spent !”

— Oscar Chabrat, Founder, Praesidus Watch Co.

Phoenix, AZ

THEY TALKED ABOUT US