WALTHAM A17 PILOT "Dragon Lady"

All about the WALTHAM A17 PILOT "Dragon Lady"

The WALTHAM A17 PILOT "Dragon Lady" pilot watch was developed by Waltham specifically for pilots and is characterized by high precision and perfect readability of the dial, which is ensured by graphic rigor and high-contrast colors. Designed in the 1940s, the A17 served as a navigation instrument for jet pilots and has since established itself as a model for the design of aviator watches.

In the 1950s the A17 became the orderly watch of the U2 pilots and was equipped with a 24-hour military time scale, which was used to measure time during of their observation missions was crucial. This special model of the A17 is inspired by the first all-black stealth aircraft, known as the “Dragon Lady”.

WALTHAM A17 PILOT "Dragon Lady"

A distinctive design feature of the A17 was the counterweight of the central seconds hand, which had a distinctive shape and became known as the lollipop hand. The A17 was the first military watch with this special hand design.

To avoid confusion in time interpretation, the military adopted the 24-hour time system, also known as the military time system. The Mil Spec MIL-W-6433, accepted by the USAF on March 23, 1951 for the Waltham A17, actually featured a 24-hour dial. This watch was specifically designed as a navigation timepiece for pilots.

Specifications

Type of production: Swiss manufacturing, in-house production

Production quality: Top quality

Case size: 40 mm

Housing features:

• 316L (1.4404) stainless steel
• Symmetrical screwed bezel and case back
• Domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Three-layer anti-reflective coating under the glass
• Engraved case back
• Finish: Polished lugs, vertically brushed case, polished bezel with sandblasted recesses, polished crown with sandblasted recesses

Dial:

• Matte dial
• Thick, painted (1.5mm) X1 degree Superluminova® lume on numerals, hour markers, H/M/S hands

Bracelet:

• Military Cordura® tactical bracelet with polished 316L (1.4404) stainless steel pin buckle

Strap width: 20-20 mm

Waterproofness: 10 ATM | 333ft | 100 m

Movement: Swiss Soprod M100

regulation level: R4

+4s/-4s per day

Maximum deviation in all positions: 15s/day

Movement height: 3.60 mm

Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds

Jewels: 25

Winding: Mechanical, self-winding, 28,800 bph/4Hz

Power reserve: 42 hours