Original Items: Only One Set Available. As used by navigators on B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator this is a FULLY FUNCTIONING Hamilton AN5742 pocket watch with steel aircraft case.

This is a FULLY FUNCTIONING beautiful example of the Hamilton U.S Army Air Force Navigation watch type AN 5742. The AN 5740/AN 5740-2 pocket watches were used for navigation purposes by all the branches of the US. Military prior to, during, and after WWII. The three main manufacturers of the AN-5740 and AN-5742-1 were The Hamilton Watch Co., The Elgin National Watch Co. and the Waltham Watch Co.

This watch is marked as follows:

Dial Markings:
HAMILTON

Rear case nomenclature:
AN 5742-1
MFR’S PART NO. 37297
HAMILTON WATCH CO.

Movement markings:
HAMILTON
MODEL 23
19
JEWELS
ADJ. TEMP.
AND 3
POSITIONS

Nickel finish of the watch is very good and it functions perfectly, sadly the glass crystal broke in transport but should be easily replaced . The excellent steel case with window and rotation door, is marked with a brass data plate that reads:
CASE, CARRYING, WATCH
NAVIGATION
U.S. ARMY A.C.
GEO. H. ADAMSON
TECUMSEN, MICHINGAN, U.S.A.

The case was designed to suspend the watch to protect it from the vibration and turbulence of an aircraft as well as a protective glass viewing panel to the user could look down onto it without removal. Sadly the glass window was broken in transit, so we have reduced the price accordingly.

WWII Navigation Pocket Watch History

During World War II, Hamilton, Waltham, & Elgin produced a variety of time pieces to support the war effort. In fact, all of Hamilton's production was dedicated to defense purposes. However, they did still produce some wrist watches using excess movements produced in the 1920's.

One of the war-related watches was a pocket watch with a central sweep second hand. The movement was based on the 21 jewel, 16 size movement. However, an extra jewel was added to support the second hand pinion, so the movement got 22 jewels.

Known as a "Navigator's Watch" as it was used by aviators to aid in navigation by the US Navy during the war.

You’ll notice a couple of advertisements from WWII-era Life Magazines that featured the 4992B.

You'll often see these in a case or a box that was intended to isolate it and protect it from shocks or accidental damage.

If you look closely at the dial, you'll see that it's a 24 hour dial so it takes a full day for the hour hand to make a full rotation. 12:00 noon on a 24 hour dial looks like 6:00 on a 12-hour dial. The minute hand still makes it around the dial in one hour, so the ratio of the minute hand to the hour hand is modified using a different minute wheel and hour wheel ratio.

Another interesting aspect to this watch is that it "hacks" or stops when you pull out the crown to set the time. This allows you to set a very precise time... the old, "synchronize your watches" phrase comes to mind.

Genuine WWII Navigator’s pocket watches and cases in such excellent fully functional condition tremendously rare!

There 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.