Product Details

SKU Code: A-17/100

This automatic self-winding A-17 pattern watch is a classic design based on the models used during the Korean War in the 1950s. It features a glass crystal and a self-winding automatic mechanical movement with the option to hand-wind. While retaining the classic 1950s appearance, this watch includes several important updates to enhance its day-to-day usability. Key upgrades include increased water resistance from 30m to 100m and a screw-down crown and caseback. This family of watches also includes the A-11, based on the WWII USAAF pilots' watch, and the GG-W-113, based on the Vietnam War issue model.

Modern Enhancements

All original watches, whether A-11, A-17, or GG-W-113, used plexiglass, which was suitable for its time but does not meet modern standards for water or scratch resistance. The updates mean that, unlike the original splash-proof models, this watch is suitable for swimming and other water activities. Despite these improvements, it retains its historical retro appearance, achieved by manufacturing a special curved glass crystal that closely mimics the original.

Key Features

This watch boasts a heavy stainless steel satin finish case made from Military Grade 316L stainless steel, a sweep second hand, hacking function, black dial, and Luminova markings and hands for excellent nighttime performance.

Historical Background

The entire range of A-11, A-17, and GG-W-113 watches came into being in January 2009 when MWC was approached by a US veterans association interested in recreating the GG-W-113 watch. This watch was to be identical in appearance to the originals made by Hamilton, Bulova, and Benrus during the Vietnam War. After examining samples and original specification sheets, the resulting watch was very close to the original and featured a high-grade fully jeweled hand-wound movement. This watch, the GG-W-113, is still made by MWC. Following its success, another order was placed to recreate the A-11, an even earlier model. The original A-11 watches, made from 1943 onwards, were produced with cheap metals due to wartime resource limitations, making them less durable. This 1950s pattern A-17 watch sits between the 1940s A-11 and the 1960s GG-W-113, combining elements of both.

Developed in 2019, the new 100m series models blend traditional appearance with contemporary performance standards.

Specifications

• Width Including Crown: 40mm
• Width Excluding Crown: 38mm
• Crystal: Hardened glass
• Thickness: 11.5mm
• Weight: 61g
• Lug Size: 20mm
• Lug to Lug: 45mm
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Caseback and Crown: Screw-down
• Movement: 24-jewel mechanical self-winding automatic with "Hack System"
• Strap: 20mm

This watch offers a perfect blend of vintage aesthetics and modern functionality, making it a suitable choice for both collectors and daily wearers.

• Delivery

  • Delivery charges are as follows:

    USA/CANADA	EUROPE	UK	REST OF THE WORLD
    Tracked Mail US$11.50	Tracked Mail €11.75 / £10.25 / US$11.50	Tracked Mail  £9.95	Tracked Mail US$11.50 / €11.75 / £10.25
    Express Courier UPS or FedEx  US$25.00	Express Courier UPS or FedEx  €27.50 / £24.00 / US$27.00	Express Courier  UPS £12.95	Express Courier UPS or FedEx  US$41.50 / €42.50 / £36.50

    You will generally receive two emails after placing an order, the first will be a confirmation of receipt of the order and payment, this will be followed by a notification of shipment  once the goods are dispatched. When an order and payment has been processed, goods will be shipped by the Post Office or Courier within 48 hours. Please note that our shipping centers are closed on Saturdays and Sundays therefore orders placed during this time may take up to 72 hours to be dispatched, this includes orders after 13:00 European time on Fridays.

    The estimated delivery times in working days are set out below: *

    • USA Registered Mail: 4 to 12 days
    • USA UPS: 2 to 3 days
    • Europe UPS: 2 to 5 days
    • Europe Registered Mail: 7 to 14 days
    • UK DPD or UPS: 12 to 48 hours
    • UK Royal Mail: 1 to 3 days
    • Rest of World UPS: 3 to 10 days
    • Rest of World Registered Mail: 7 to 21 days

    All shipping estimates exclude Saturdays and Sundays when our packing and shipping centres are closed and also some countries postal services do not operate at the weekend.
    

    * Some countries are prone to be notoriously slow to process goods on arrival, among these countries are Israel, Hong Kong, Macau, Mexico, South Africa and some South American countries. We also tend to experience significant delays with many countries in Africa in addition to South Africa, you can always contact us for advice although we do not know with certainty exactly which countries will be slow, and which will be fast but the above estimates are a pretty good guide for most countries, keen in mind remote territories or those with slow customs processing can also tend to be problematic. Regardless of the processing speed, all of our shipments are fully insured against Loss.

    Please Note: We recommend using UPS, DHL or Fedex, which we offer as an option, if the delivery is very time sensitive and you are aware that your local Postal Service he's not particularly reliable.

    Whilst we make every effort to deliver your order within the above timeframes this is a guide and delivery cannot be guaranteed. We will not accept responsibility for delays caused by our Couriers or any National postal service. If the goods are not delivered within the time we have estimated, please feel free to contact us or email admin@mwc.watch, and we will do everything possible to resolve the issue promptly. We will not be liable for any loss caused to you by late delivery.

    Our delivery charges covers the cost of shipping the goods to you. However, this does not include import charges and administration fees to clear the goods when entering your country. 

    If you need to clarify any details regarding local taxes for your location, please contact us before placing an order. For clarification, goods shipped to the EU can be dispatched from our EU location if ordered on this site, and we also have a UK shipping center if you order at www.mwcwatches.co.uk

    In the United States, orders under $800 do not incur taxes or fees. In Australia, orders up to AU$1000 are tax-free. Many other countries have similar regulations, which you can verify using this helpful link: Zonos De Minimis Values and also another link below to calculate taxes for shipments to most countries which is here https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

    It is the responsibility of the purchaser to understand that charges may apply and pay all subsequent import tax and duty on goods shipped to their respective Country. In the instance that items are returned to MWC as a result of a rejected payment, subsequent charges incurred such as Import Duty and processing costs will be deducted from any refund issued. For further information on this please contact accounts@mwc-distribution.com 

    We do not accept any liability for goods that have been lost after delivery to a PO Box. We reserve the right to cancel orders where the delivery address is a PO Box. Furthermore, we also do not accept any liability for goods that have been lost after they are confirmed as delivered to APO or BFPO locations. 

    It is the Customer's responsibility to notify us if the goods have not been received within 21 days of the estimated delivery date or time of ordering. If no notification is made within this time period the buyer shall be deemed to have received the goods.

    Failed delivery of an item ordered due to non-acceptance of the delivery

    Please note that if you order an item and the delivery company inform us that the item was refused it would be returned back to us, in many cases especially with FedEx, UPS etc they will also charge a return fee to send it back. Because in these circumstances we have done everything that is required to get the item to you we would refund less both the outbound and Inbound shipping charges once the item was received back at our packing and shipping centre. Unfortunately sometimes if you are having the order delivered to a business location the people receiving inbound parcels are prone to refuse an item without checking with the individual concerned we would strongly recommend being very cautious in this situation and notifying the people who handle the incoming parcels that you are expecting a delivery to avoid this problem occurring. Usually, we would be notified there is a delivery issue and would email you for your instructions, normally these sorts of problems can be avoided if you contact the carrier and tell them there is an error but it's very important to act quickly to avoid the return and associated costs.