WALTHAM A17 PILOT Patina

All about the WALTHAM A17 PILOT Patina

The WALTHAM A17 PILOT Patina was developed by Waltham specifically for pilots and is characterized by high precision and a b>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.

On31. December 1948 the USAF Equipment Laboratory Engineering Division sent a letter to the Waltham Watch Company and other watch brands requesting comments on Specification No. 21277. This specification would later become known as MIL-W-6433.

WALTHAM A17 PILOT Patina

A tender went to the Elgin National Watch Company, the Hamilton Watch Company, the Bulova Watch Company, the Gruen Watch Company b> and the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company. Ultimately, the United States Air Force chose the exclusive use of the Waltham Watch Company for its new A17 pilot's watch.

A legend was born on23rd. March 1951 was born when the Mil Spec MIL-W-6433 was approved for the Waltham Type A17.

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

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