RAF Mk VIII, 6B/234

PRE-ORDER · SHIPS ON OR BEFORE 31 DECEMBER 2026

Every pre-order includes the Pre-Order Bundle:

• The watch
• Period-correct packaging, copied from surviving wartime originals
• Free shipping
• A few extras we are keeping to ourselves until your box arrives

You will be charged in full today. We cannot guarantee delivery before December 25, and we would rather tell you that now than apologize on Boxing Day.

The quintessential "hack" watch of World War Two; "the watch that won the war."

Although originally designed to be issued to the Army Air Forces with specifications dating to 1941 and 1942, this watch saw use with troops all across the world to include the Royal Air Force. The British equivalent to the US's A-11 specification was the "Mk.VIII." (Mark 8) The Mk.VIII represented a watch manufactured to navigation quality bearing parts number 6B/234.

Designed to be used for synchronization via "hacking," the second hand will stop when the crown is extended, allowing for time to be adjusted and set to the second. The RAF ordered many thousands of these in 1942 and 1943 to be issued to pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and other personnel requiring a precision watch. Waltham shipped them overseas where they were engraved and issued by British forces. They were later approved as a substitute standard for airborne and ground forces, seeing service across the British Army.

The hacking function allowed synchronization for missions, artillery, and attacks which kept airmen and soldiers on target and on time. 

Manufactured by Waltham under parts number 10616, the "Watch, Navigation Hack" became ubiquitously referred to by its specification "A-11." The A-11 is one of the most recognizable watches in the world, and we have spared no expense in replicating them down to the last detail. The RAF A-11's featured a Navy style index dial, matte leaf hands, and a waterproof Keystone case.

Ours feature the following details:

• Marine grade nickel-plated brass cases, just as originals were produced.

• 24-jewel Miyota 9039 movements with hacking seconds, modified for hand-wound use only.

• Non-reflective vintage style textured dial paint.

• 5ATM water resistance.

• Matte painted leaf hands.

• Fully period correct packaging.

• Limited two-year warranty.

• Period correct sized down to the last measurement - 31mm (32mm with crown) Keystone style waterproof cases, 16mm lug to lug width, and 25mm dials.