New: Bulova Avigation Hack A-11

Bulova revisits its historical roots in the U.S military to present the new Avignation Hack A-11 watch.

Press release information with commentary in italics.

New: Bulova Avigation Hack A-11

Retail price is USD 450 and is available at the Bulova Sale site.

Commentary

In an interesting historical release, Bulova reissues the Avigation Hack A-11 watch. The watch was issued to the U.S. Military for use in WWII, and was recognized for its ability to hack the seconds for synchronization in missision critical timing. Bulova literature calls it “The Watch That Won the War”, which is an interesting twist, as during WWII, the U.S. was also at war with Japan in the Asian theater, and now the Bulova brand is owned by Japanese watch giant Citizen.

The re-issue is now larger, with a modern 37mm case instead of 32mm used in the war. The back is stamped with military markings. And uses the parent company’s Miyota 82S0 movement.

Release information

Paying homage to Bulova’s deeply rooted heritage with the U.S. military, the brand is pleased to unveil the new Avigation Hack A-11 watch. Expanding on its current Military collection inspired by vintage historical timepieces, but updated for today’s wearer, Bulova reintroduces one of the most iconic military watches of World War II, often referred to as “The Watch That Won The War.”

Throughout the years, Bulova has been an advocate for the military in many different ways, some of which include manufacturing timekeeping devices and founding the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking, which provided training and job placement for disabled veterans after WWII. Bulova’s timepieces produced for the military have withstood the test of time and early on during WWII, it was recognized that a modern military wristwatch that could stand up to the rigors of combat would be needed for issue to Allied personnel. Additionally, precision was essential. Thus, America’s fighting forces relied on innovative “hack” watches, with a hack seconds function to synchronize their movements to the second. To ensure timely completion of missions, the military team would pull out the crown and stop or “hack” the seconds hand at 12 and synchronize their watches.

Though numerous wristwatches were produced in the U.S. and issued to the military during WWII, the A-11 is perhaps the most iconic. With its legible black dial, white indices, nickel or silver case and one-piece strap, the A-11 has become synonymous with American horological prowess and industry, with tens of thousands made during the war for Allied soldiers.

The original Bulova Avigation Hack A-11 watch issued to the U.S. military during WWII was one of the first watches of its kind. The dial was clearly legible with luminescent numerals/hands and markers, oversized crown and comfortable one or two-piece straps made for a utilitarian timepiece that was simultaneously tough, easy to use and comfortable to wear. Featuring a 32mm case, the A-11 was meant for use as a navigation timepiece, and many thousands indeed saw service as such during the war by USAAF crews.

Today Bulova launches the new Avigation Hack A-11 watch – preserving the traditional and historic elements of clean dial design and a distinctive coin edge textured case, while updating the size and colors. The new A-11 Hack watch is differentiated from Bulova’s other Hack watches by its contemporary casual color combination – boasting a striking blue dial with red accents on a rich brown NATO strap. Its coin edge texturing on the case and a smaller 37mm case size offer additional points of difference and provide an opportunity for the collector to add a fresh take to their collection. The case back is stamped with the same ‘Military Spec’information as the original A-11. As with other Bulova Hack watches, the A-11 also features an automatic movement (Miyota 82S0 3-hand movement with hack feature) boasting a 42-hour power reserve.