Original Items: Only One Set Available. As used by navigators on B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator this is a FULLY FUNCTIONING Elgin Type A-13 G.C.T. pocket watch with the correct steel carry case.
This is a beautiful 1942 produced example of the Hamilton U.S Army Air Force GCT Navigation watch Type A-13. The "GCT" or AN 5740/AN 5740-1 pocket watches were used for navigation purposes by all the branches of the US. Military prior to, during, and after WWII. The three main manufacturers of the AN-5740 and AN-5740-1 were The Hamilton Watch Co., The Elgin National Watch Co. and the Waltham Watch Co.
This watch is in nice condition, with service wear throughout but extensively on the back plate. It is fully functional and intact, though the plastic crystal may be a post-war replacement. The case looks to be stainless steel, or some other alloy.
This watch is marked as follows:
Dial Markings:
G C T
The movement is viewable by removing the screwback, and has markings in various locations, which read:
41755163
B.W. Raymond
21 JEWELS
ADJUSTED 5 POSITIONS
ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH CO.
U.S.A
The rear case marking are present but are illegible and extremely faint due to wear.
The steel carry case with glass window is marked with a brass data plate that reads:
CASE, CARRYING, WATCH,
NAVIGATION
U.S. ARMY A. C.
GEO. H. ADAMSON
TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN, U.S.A
The case was designed to suspend the watch to protect it from the vibration and turbulence of an aircraft as well as a protective glass viewing panel to the user could look down onto it without removal. The case is worn with a few issues to note. One of the brass pegs that secures the twistlock cover is missing and two of the prongs on the watch cradle are broken and missing.
Both the watch and case are actually marked to the U.S. Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the U.S. Army Air Forces, so this is definitely an early watch, issued not long after the war started.
This watch full of history and is ready to display!
WWII Navigation Pocket Watch History
During World War II, Hamilton, Waltham, & Elgin produced a variety of time pieces to support the war effort. In fact, all of Hamilton's production was dedicated to defense purposes. However, they did still produce some wrist watches using excess movements produced in the 1920's.
One of the war-related watches was a pocket watch with a central sweep second hand. The movement was based on the 21 jewel, 16 size movement. However, an extra jewel was added to support the second hand pinion, so the movement got 22 jewels.
Known as a "Navigator's Watch" as it was used by aviators to aid in navigation by the US Navy during the war.
You'll notice a couple of advertisements from WWII-era Life Magazines that featured the 4992B.
You'll often see these in a case or a box that was intended to isolate it and protect it from shocks or accidental damage.
If you look closely at the dial, you'll see that it's a 24 hour dial so it takes a full day for the hour hand to make a full rotation. 12:00 noon on a 24 hour dial looks like 6:00 on a 12-hour dial. The minute hand still makes it around the dial in one hour, so the ratio of the minute hand to the hour hand is modified using a different minute wheel and hour wheel ratio.
Another interesting aspect to this watch is that it "hacks" or stops when you pull out the crown to set the time. This allows you to set a very precise time... the old, "synchronize your watches" phrase comes to mind.
Genuine WWII Navigator's pocket watches and cases in such excellent fully functional condition tremendously rare!
There is no warranty for this watch and returns for a non-working watch will not be honored. Please note all watches are wound and tested then recorded on video before shipment. We are not in the watch repair business- ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
