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The “Original Field Watches” (An Opinion Post).
I’ve been on a vintage kick the past week or so. I’ve been wearing and tinkering with these ATP Watches.
Backstory, 133,600 of these were commissioned/ ordered by the Ministry of Defence at the outbreak of war in 1939/1940. They served in all theatres of war during between 1939-1945, and continued to be in use by the MoD until 1957 (the MoD don’t like throwing away kit and equipment that works). Despite the the naming convention “Army Trade Pattern” or “Army Timepiece” these were issued across all services, Army, Navy and Air Force (Douglas Bader was issued a sterile dial Timor ATP).
These three still keep fantastic time, and I’d say are some of the “original field watches”. I also wonder “what stories these could tell”. Admittedly, given their condition either I am lucky, and they were issued to very careful soldiers, or they weren’t subjected to extreme situations. Situations like storming the beaches at Normandy, or being bounced around the cockpit of a Spitfire. Interesting to note, one of mine (Vertex Cal 57) was re-issued in 1954, it has double issue markings.
What’s your thoughts?
Do we need a return of smaller field watches?
Do any of you also have an ATP in your collection?
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I always grab these when I see them, so much personality and history. Just got a Helbros that was missing the crown but when my watch guy wound it he said it was running like new.
I always grab these when I see them, so much personality and history. Just got a Helbros that was missing the crown but when my watch guy wound it he said it was running like new.
I think they offer a lot of value within the vintage military space. A lot more affordable/accessible than the Dirty Dozen. I have also found that they tend to pop up in generally better condition too! 😎
Where do you pick these up these days?
I love the look of them, having bought a cheap Merkur Dirty Dozen Homage.
Where do you pick these up these days?
I love the look of them, having bought a cheap Merkur Dirty Dozen Homage.
I picked mine up through vintage watch dealers. I went to a vintage watch fair in UK as well and was fortunate to pick two up that way.
Military watch forums on social media are always a good bet too.
Does this count? Wearing it right now at the office. Not completely happy with my chosen strap but 16mm is a pain to shop for.
Does this count? Wearing it right now at the office. Not completely happy with my chosen strap but 16mm is a pain to shop for.
Definitely a vintage white dial field Watch I’d say. Definitely more dressy than my ATPs though! #dressytoolwatch
Like them a lot. My favorite (though I don't own one) is probably the Hamilton WWII Marine Corps (or Navy, hard to tell).
Like them a lot. My favorite (though I don't own one) is probably the Hamilton WWII Marine Corps (or Navy, hard to tell).
Ah the US Ord Dept Watches are also really cool! I have owned an Elgin before!
Enicar
Enicar
Awesome unsold one of those this year!!
Awesome unsold one of those this year!!
I am partial to a pre-1955 Enicar (avoid later models as (a) I’m not made of money, and (b) too many franken-Enicars on the market). I quite like their ATP as it’s full stainless steel rather than plate, and it’s one of those with the thinner, stencil-style numerals, which I prefer. The AS 984 is a solid movement, but I know I overpaid for this considering the sum of its parts (but then again, it was less than going market rate for an Enicar ATP at the time). I have a 1940s Waterproof watch with the same movement I picked up about a week before for about 1/7th of the price, ATP-inspired not issued, and it’s equally handsome. To be brutally honest, it’s one of about 20 of this style I own so it barely gets any wrist time; it’s fair to say I have a type.
If you want another OG field watch, I’m still wearing in my A408 at the moment. This was a dirt cheap, very lucky find. You are in my zone right about now. My default is 40s-50s field/military-inspired Swiss jobbers.
I am partial to a pre-1955 Enicar (avoid later models as (a) I’m not made of money, and (b) too many franken-Enicars on the market). I quite like their ATP as it’s full stainless steel rather than plate, and it’s one of those with the thinner, stencil-style numerals, which I prefer. The AS 984 is a solid movement, but I know I overpaid for this considering the sum of its parts (but then again, it was less than going market rate for an Enicar ATP at the time). I have a 1940s Waterproof watch with the same movement I picked up about a week before for about 1/7th of the price, ATP-inspired not issued, and it’s equally handsome. To be brutally honest, it’s one of about 20 of this style I own so it barely gets any wrist time; it’s fair to say I have a type.
If you want another OG field watch, I’m still wearing in my A408 at the moment. This was a dirt cheap, very lucky find. You are in my zone right about now. My default is 40s-50s field/military-inspired Swiss jobbers.
Similar to the Enicar, my Cyma has a full steel case.
The Cyma also has a shock resisting balance, unlike the majority of the others which has fixed balance staffs. Interesting how people are always after shock protection in watches now, yet these watches (and others including the majority of Dirty Dozen and A11 had fixed balances) still went through some pretty extreme situations and came out the other side running perfectly well.
I do wonder if these ATPs will grow in popularity as the bigger cases D12 watches dry up…
So interesting 🧐 thanks for the post . They are awesome 😎 thanks
So interesting 🧐 thanks for the post . They are awesome 😎 thanks
Glad you enjoyed it. I think I will do some more posts like this highlighting pieces in my collection.
Similar to the Enicar, my Cyma has a full steel case.
The Cyma also has a shock resisting balance, unlike the majority of the others which has fixed balance staffs. Interesting how people are always after shock protection in watches now, yet these watches (and others including the majority of Dirty Dozen and A11 had fixed balances) still went through some pretty extreme situations and came out the other side running perfectly well.
I do wonder if these ATPs will grow in popularity as the bigger cases D12 watches dry up…
Yes, the Cyma/Tavannes movement is pretty advanced for the time, and yes, it is funny how little protection was seen as a requirement for watches that were basically going on the frontlines. The Cyma WWW is pretty impressive as well. I have a few Cymas in the collection, and all of them are very handsome.
I am an AS fanboy though - anything they make seems to be incredibly reliable for me, and long may they stay that way.
The prices are slowly increasing, similar with CWC G10s. I think they might plateau though, despite the limited availability as the ultra-desirable pieces are the 6B/159s (Weems and non-Weems versions) and the WWW. These will always be the unappreciated workhorses who did the heavy lifting; it’s why I prefer them to the WWW.