DESCRIPTION
SKU Code: SELZ/KM1
This automatic self-winding classic WW2 pattern Selza* military watch with a small subsidiary dial second hand is based on the typical designs used by the German Kriegsmarine (German Navy) during World War II, one feature which was common to all of the watches made for this branch of the German forces is that they tended to have the initials K.M on the dial which is short for Kriegsmarine and also had light colored dials in either cream or white as opposed to black which was used for other versions of the German forces. This watch is closely based on one of Selza's WW2 designs, although the original watches are now quite rare and tend to fetch high prices this watch is outwardly almost indistinguishable from the factories WW2 models and retains the acrylic crystal used on the original watches, also the original 15 Jewel hand-winding mechanical movement is upgraded to a 21 Jewel self-winding automatic which can also be manually wound if required. The watch offers the benefit of retaining the original outward appearance whilst having the advantage of a few discreet updates to improve its suitability for use on a day-to-day basis.
In WW2 Selza along with Siegerin were two of the leading manufacturers for the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) they also produced watches for the Luftwaffe, Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers), and Flak (anti aircraft) corps. Most of the German military watches during the war were fairly similar and shared much the same case design and general appearance just like the British watches at the time but whilst the British have the Dirty Dozen collecting the German equivalents can be quite challenging due to the sheer number of suppliers which comprised over 100 different manufacturers versus just 12 who were used for procurement contracts by the British war ministry World War II who were used for procurement contracts by the British war ministry World War II
A group of military watch enthusiasts have compiled a list of the manufacturers which appears on their website at this link https://military-watches.net/ww2-german-watches the list seems to be almost complete no doubt they would appreciate it if anyone could fill in the few remaining gaps.
This particular watch has a solid stainless steel case made from Military Grade 316L stainless steel, subsidiary dial second hand, hacking function and light coloured dial with contrasting black hands.
For comparison the final image shows one of the original wartime watches so that you can see just how successfully the manufacturer has managed to create a watch which is extremely similar to the watches which they made in the second world war.