Elgin WWII Bombardier Stopwatch, circa 1940s

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Very Well-Preserved Elgin WWII Bombardier Stopwatch in Original Condition with a Beautiful Rich Black Dial c.1944 Elgin, founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, was one of America's most prolific watchmakers, producing reliable timepieces for both civilian and military use. Known for precision and affordability, Elgin supplied watches to the U.S. military during both World Wars. The brand pioneered mass-production techniques and created over 60 million watches during its operation. Though the original factory closed in the 1960s, vintage Elgin watches remain appreciated today for their craftsmanship, historical significance, and classic American design. What's on Offer This is a remarkable example of a WWII-era Elgin Bombardier Stopwatch, designed specifically for military use in timing critical aviation and bombing operations. Featuring Movement No. 42749676, this watch houses a 15-jewel manual movement, prized for its durability and accuracy under demanding conditions. The clean black dial with bold Arabic numerals ensures optimal legibility, complemented by a central sweep seconds hand and a prominent 60-second sub-register at 12 o’clock for precise time measurement. The inside caseback is marked 5704842, while the outer bears the military issue number 19358, confirming its wartime provenance. These stopwatches were typically issued to U.S. Army Air Forces personnel, especially bombardiers, to synchronize bombing runs with extreme accuracy. The rugged case construction and large, knurled crown allowed for ease of use—even with gloved hands in flight. A highly collectible and historically significant piece, this Elgin stopwatch offers a direct link to WWII aviation history.