Anybody know what the first military issue

[mindbender]

dive watch was?

[Foggy]

Hmmm, tricky question.

I would guess the first was the Panerai with Rolex movements, used by the Italians in 1939.

For British issue, from 1940 the Royal Navy used Rolex Oysters.

For US issue, the canteen watches made by Hamilton during WWII.

Cheers

Foggy

[Crusader]

What about German watches? They should be well-documented in Kniriem's book (which I do not have access to).

As a matter of fact, there are some good books out on vintage military time-pieces... perhaps someone with those books in the library could answer the question?

Best regards,

Crusader

[Foggy]

What about German watches?

Later than all three mentioned above, I believe.

According to Ziggy's book, after the sinking of the Tirpitz in Sept. 1944, the Kriegsmarine undertook more regular underwater checks of their ships hulls. The frogmen were issued with oversized watches using pocketwatch movements and screw down crowns.

Regards

Foggy