The Praesidus x The Watch Observer A-11 Type 44 Limited Edition

Founded by two Frenchmen, built in America, and creating rugged, reliable watches reviving legendary military timepieces of the 1940s, in particular the Type A-11 watches made by, among others, Waltham and Bulova. This was the whole idea behind Praesidus, a young brand of accessible yet appealing military watches. The latest watch released by the Phoenix-based brand is made in collaboration with our good friends, French watch website The Watch Observer, founded by Thomas and Pierre Gisclard. And to create this cool version of the A-11 Type 44, the two men have worked closely with US Air Force historian Grégory Pons, resulting in a tribute to the US Air Force’s 533rd Bomb Squadron.

 This new take on the A-11 Type 44, as most A-11 models created by Praesidus, is directly inspired by the A-11 model manufactured during World War II in accordance with specifications FSSC 88-W-800. Issued by the US Army, it listed the main technical characteristics of a timepiece intended to equip, among others, its airmen. Several American brands (Waltham and Bulova, for instance) manufactured this A-11, which was worn by US Navy soldiers during Operation Overlord, the code name for the June 1944 invasion of Normandy.

For this special edition, the founders of The Watch Observer opted for the larger, more modern version of the A-11 by Praesidus, which also exists in a historically faithful 32mm case (objectively cool, but not for everybody…). Thus, this limited edition Type 44 relies on a 38mm case made of surgical stainless steel, with a 13mm thickness and a compact 45mm length. As a nod to the original chromed watches, the case is entirely polished and equipped with a fluted bezel. And to stay true to the past, the watch features a vintage-styled double-domed acrylic glass. That said, the water-resistance has been upgraded to 100 metres, making it reliable in all conditions. The crown is slightly oversized, but not too much. All in all, a simple and focused watch designed for action.

The dial is where things become special. Once again, don’t expect embellishments here. It’s all about legibility and simplicity. The matte black dial features embossed numerals and a sleek minute track, all faithful to the original A-11 models. Two elements stand out for the Watch Observer’s edition. First, the hands are rhodium-plated and polished, with a so-called glaive or sword-style (in place of leaf-shaped hands). Their length has been carefully calculated so that their tips point precisely to the indication to be read. The minute hand and central second hand feature a curved tip that follows the curve of the Plexiglas. Second, it features a unique marking indicating the model (A-11 Type 44) name in a stencil-style font used on US military equipment. Classic military, no-nonsense style… All elements of the dial (hands, numerals and minute track) are coated with Super-LumiNova Old Radium, making it practical at night as well.

Moving to the back of the watch, the French duo has opted for a distinctive feature, an engraving depicting the patch of the US Air Force’s 533rd Bomb Squadron. As a member of the 8th Air Force, this bomber squadron’s notable achievements include its participation in Big Week and its decisive support for the Normandy invasion in June 1944, where it bombed nearby bridges and airfields. Also visible is the individual number of the watch. Under the solid steel back is a hand-wound movement, the Landeron 21 (an alternative to the ETA 2804-2). Beating at 4Hz, with a 36-hour power reserve and equipped with 17 jewels, this tried-and-tested movement features a stop-second mechanism, allowing for a watch at a fair price.

Adding to the vintage look of this A-11 Type 44 Limited Edition, the watch comes equipped with a Bonkip steel bracelet, created between the late 1920s and early 1930s, later adopted by Royal Air Force pilots. This resistant bracelet is easy to adjust and can be worn against the skin or over jacket sleeves. Also included in the box is a khaki-toned, super solid canvas strap (photographed here), adding a proper military touch to the watch. Both are equipped with quick-release spring bars.

Price and availability

Now available for pre-order, the Praesidus x The Watch Observer A-11 Type 44 Limited Edition is a limited edition of 250 pieces. It can be ordered from Praesidus’ website or through The Watch Observer’s online shop. It is priced at EUR 695 (incl. tax and shipping in France) or USD 675 (excl. tax and shipping). Deliveries are expected before December 20, 2025.