MIL-W-46374 Military Watch

MIL-W-46374 Military Watch

US Military Issue

1964 issued spec. It required accurate, disposable, and non-maintainable watch in either a plastic or metal case to be issued to infantry and other ground forces. Most of these featured the numeral “12” painted in tritium.

Revision A 1968

The MIL-W-46374 spec evolved over time, with subsequent revisions labeled A through G. Revision A, for example, which was released in 1968, called for the option of a “corrosion resistant steel” case (though this requirement was later changed to “stainless steel” in 1973). Plastic versions of Rev. A watches were made by Westclox and Benrus between 1970 and 1976, and the metal versions were produced by Hamilton.

Revison B 1975

Revision B, published in 1975, added a requirement for the radiation symbol and “H3” on the dial to indicate the usage of tritium, as well as the words “Dispose Rad. Waste” on the case back and a coating for the hands to preserve the tritium. These watches were generally made in steel, although a rare plastic Timex version was produced only in 1982.

Revision C 1983

Revision C, published in 1983, saw the introduction of Stocker & Yale into the mix of manufacturers making issued watches for the U.S. This model, whose spec called for updated maintenance standards, was made in plastic by Stocker & Yale and dubbed the “SandY.”

Revision D 1986

Revision D, published in 1986, would spawn five different variants, including the highly accurate Type 1 that constituted a serious departure from many of the plastic, disposable, non-maintainable versions of the MIL-W-46374. Though we won’t go through all the iterations here, Type 2 is notable for being a plastic model, and Type 3 for being the first analog quartz specification. Rev. Ds were made by Hamilton, Stocker & Yale, and, most rarely, Marathon/Gallet.

Revision E 1989

Revision E, published in 1989, called for drastic changes in dial font, and the switch from tritium paint to tritium vials. These plastic watches were manufactured by Stocker & Yale and Marathon in several versions.