{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-fully-functional-us-army-ordnance-department-17-jewel-wrist-watch-by-waltham-laundry-number-marked-and-identified","title":"Original U.S. WWII Fully Functional US Army Ordnance Department 17-Jewel Wrist Watch by Waltham - Laundry Number Marked and Identified","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a Mid-War production OF Officer Grade issue Stainless Steel Case Waltham Model 10617 17-Jewel wrist watch, with a stainless steel screw back closure. This wonderful example has been fully cleaned, tested and runs perfectly. It was manufactured for the US Army, and has a white face with radium luminous numbers for night use. It has the name \u003cstrong\u003eWALTHAM\u003c\/strong\u003e on the dial face. The band is a correct high quality OD Green web reproduction. The Army serial number is 488958, which places production around 1944-45 based on past watches we have sold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring WWII, Waltham supplied watches for the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps [the Air Force was the Army Air Force]. In 1940, the Ordnance Department published the requirements for military watches. The list includes pocket, wrist, and stop watches.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMarking on the case reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eORD.DEPT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOF - 488958\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inside of the back case has the following laundry number scratched into it: \u003cstrong\u003eM-44916\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is the laundry number for \u003cstrong\u003eMerle Victor Mack (ASN: 33644916)\u003c\/strong\u003e. All we have been able to find was that he enlisted in the US Army on August 3, 1943, making this a wonderful research opportunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis watch is definitely in very good shape. The metal components are nice, with minimal scratches and dents. The watch runs smoothly, and appears to keep good time, though it is important to remember that the specification for wrist watches in WWII could be off by several seconds a day. The watch crystal is a modern plastic replacement made to original specifications. The only real issue with the watch is that the white watch face has an orange stain covering the center of the face. The numbers also have some flaking. The hands are original, and quite nice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great chance to pick up a wonderful WWII Issue officer grade watch, ready to display or wear!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrand: Waltham\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSize: 6\/0 - B\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMovement: 17-jewel\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMovement Serial: 31768230\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eModel: 6\/0\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWatch Shape: Round\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSerial Number: 88958\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCase Color: Silver\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1944-45\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFace Color: Cream\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCountry of Manufacture: USA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40408155193413,"sku":"ONJR220M013","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONJR220M013__08.jpg?v=1666971208","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-fully-functional-us-army-ordnance-department-17-jewel-wrist-watch-by-waltham-laundry-number-marked-and-identified","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}