Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
Brand (Elgin), model (Type A-8), and era (July 1945) are definitively confirmed by the original military specification label on the accompanying box, which perfectly matches the watch's visual configuration (black dial, 10-second sweep, square bow).
Story
Elgin National Watch Company was a primary contractor for the United States military during World War II, producing millions of timing devices. The Type A-8 was specifically designed for USAAF navigators to calculate ground speed. The accompanying box dates this specific unit to July 1945, placing its production in the final months of the war. The secondary market for WWII-era USAAF navigation instruments remains robust, driven by dedicated militaria and aviation watch collectors.
Maker / Origin
Elgin
Condition & Value
simple mechanical failure) unknown. Externally, the watch retains its correct dial and hands, but tape residue on the caseback obscures potential military issue engravings and will require careful removal. The original cardboard box shows expected age but is structurally intact, which is a major positive.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for WWII-era USAAF navigation instruments remains robust, driven by dedicated militaria and aviation watch collectors. The Elgin Type A-8, affectionately known as the 'Jitterbug' due to its rapid 10-second sweep, is a staple of these collections. While fully serviced, working examples command a premium, non-working examples are common and trade primarily based on cosmetic condition and the presence of rare original accessories like packaging.
▲ Presence of the original 1945 military specification cardboard box
▲ Confirmed Elgin Type A-8 'Jitterbug' 10-second sweep configuration
▲ Strong cross-over appeal between watch collectors and WWII militaria enthusiasts
▼ Non-working movement requires a buyer willing to take on repair risks or accept it as a display-only piece
▼ Tape residue on the caseback obscures potentially valuable military issue engravings
Best Venue
List at auction or fixed-price on a platform like eBay with a strong emphasis on the original 1945 box. Title it clearly as 'WWII Elgin Type A-8 Ground Speed Stopwatch w/ Original 1945 Box - Non-Working'. Do not attempt to scrape off the tape residue with metal tools or harsh solvents; leave this to the buyer to avoid scratching the base metal case.
Upside Potential
If the tape residue can be safely removed to reveal crisp 'U. S. ARMY A. C. ' issue stampings, and the movement is visually clean (indicating a simple broken mainspring rather than catastrophic rust), a buyer looking to restore a 'full set' example might push the value toward the $250-$300 range.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.