While I’ve always appreciated value-driven pieces, I don’t often find myself genuinely attached to something in a certain range just because of the price. But the Praesidus A-11 Type 44 Patina has a way of cutting through the noise. I’ve always had a soft spot for military watches—not the tactical, overbuilt kind, but the practical, time-only types that served a real purpose. So when Praesidus asked if I wanted to check out their 32mm A-11 homage, I was already interested.
Historical Significance of the A-11 Watch
Before diving into the hands-on, it’s worth pausing to appreciate what the A-11 actually represents. Dubbed “the watch that won the war,” the original A-11 was a specification issued by the U.S. Army during World War II and produced by American manufacturers like Bulova, Waltham, and Elgin. These watches were designed with rigorous military requirements in mind: black dials with white numerals, luminous hands for legibility, hacking seconds, and high accuracy. The A-11 became standard-issue for U.S. troops and was even used by Allied forces, marking one of the earliest instances of mass-produced military watches at scale.
Unlike many other field watches that followed, the A-11 wasn’t just a stylistic archetype. It was a logistical workhorse during a global conflict. Its practical, no-nonsense layout and modest proportions were born entirely out of wartime necessity. For collectors today, owning a faithful A-11 homage is about more than aesthetic preference. I think it serves as a tangible connection to a moment in history when form followed function out of sheer demand.
Context & Comparison: A-11 vs Mellor-72
If you’ve handled a watch like the CWC Mellor-72, this watch will feel familiar. That piece made me reassess how wearable small watches can be. While the Mellor-72 leans into its British MOD lineage with a slightly larger tonneau case and fixed spring bars, the A-11 Type 44 Patina doubles down on WWII U.S. Army authenticity. Both go for straightforward dials and reliable hand-wound movements, but the A-11 edges more minimalist with its logo-free layout and smaller 32mm footprint. Praesidus also offers a 38mm version and one with a Bonklip bracelet, but I went for the more traditional 32mm case on an olive canvas strap (which I swapped out, more on that below).
Specifications Overview
The Praesidus A-11 Type 44 specs: 32mm diameter, 39mm lug-to-lug, 13mm thick with the domed acrylic crystal. Water resistance is a surprising 10 ATM. Inside is a Swiss-made, manual-wind Landeron L21 movement. No date, no frills. The lume is Swiss Super-LumiNova—not overly bright, but functional.
Case Design & Wearability
The case wears as expected for its size: compact. On my flat wrist, it works well. It nestles in without sliding around or sitting awkwardly, which isn’t always the case with larger tool watches. Once it’s on, you almost forget it’s there, which is sort of the point with a proper field watch. It’s meant to disappear into your routine until you need it. The 32mm size might raise eyebrows today, but it really does echo the authentic dimensions of its WWII predecessors. If you’re used to larger divers or pilot watches, this might feel like a major shift at first. But give it a few hours and it starts to make sense—especially when you realize how freeing it is to wear something that doesn’t demand constant attention.
The lugs curve gently down and the short 39mm span from tip to tip keeps it balanced. It doesn’t teeter or feel overly delicate. It’s light, yes, but still feels sturdy—more like a field tool than a fashion accessory. The acrylic crystal adds a subtle distortion at sharper angles, which I actually enjoy. It brings a bit of warmth and period-correct charm to the experience. The bezel is textured and minimal, not meant to draw attention, and it helps the whole design stay understated and historically grounded.
Dial Layout & Legibility
The dial is clean and familiar. Arabic numerals, a railroad minute track, and no brand logo. There’s faux patina on the hands and markers, and a polished seconds hand. It’s simple, legible, and effective. Lume brightness is adequate for low-light use.
Strap Thoughts & Versatility
The supplied canvas strap was thicker than I prefer, so I replaced it with a 16mm olive single-pass nylon strap, which suits the watch well. Ironically, the strap I chose is authentic to a different wartime era—an NOS Vietnam style strap you might see paired with those super cool MACV-SOG Seikos. It wears comfortably and keeps the look utilitarian. I could also see this working on a black nylon strap for a more muted appearance. Unlike the Mellor 72’s fixed lugs, the A-11 Type 44 offers more flexibility here, which is a bonus for strap-swappers.
Movement Performance & Handling
Setting and winding the movement is straightforward. There’s some resistance when winding, but it’s manageable. Accuracy has been solid in daily use. No issues to report. It doesn’t have quite the smoothness of the Sellita SW210 in the Mellor, but it holds its own well under $600.
Final Thoughts
For me, this watch fits nicely alongside others like the Sangin Professional and CWC Royal Navy Diver. But unlike vintage options, this one doesn’t come with maintenance concerns. The Praesidus A-11 Type 44 offers historical character without the fragility for $555 in this configuration. Praesidus deserves credit for delivering military-style watches that stay true to the originals in spirit and design. For collectors who appreciate the connection between history and utility, this is a well-executed option.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.