Praesidus A-11 LMUV Fresh Green : when a Jeep Willys becomes a military watch
Military watchmaking regularly draws inspiration from major historical events. Many brands adopt the aesthetic codes of service watches or instruments used during 20th-century conflicts. But few manage to integrate a genuine piece of history into their creations. With the A-11 LMUV Fresh Green, the American manufacturer Praesidus takes a further step by offering a watch whose dial is directly cut from the hood of an authentic Jeep Willys MB that saw action during World War II. Presented on the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings, this edition doesn't just evoke military history: it literally incorporates a part of it. Each watch thus becomes a unique piece, bearing the marks of time, successive layers of paint, oxidation, and the traces left by decades of existence. This approach immediately distinguishes this creation from many "vintage" watches whose patina is simply artificially reproduced. It is available for around €625.
The Jeep Willys, an icon of World War II
Few vehicles symbolize the Allied victory as much as the Jeep Willys MB. Produced in over 600,000 units during World War II, it accompanied American forces in every theater of operations, from North Africa to Normandy, and then to the heart of Europe. Versatile, lightweight, and exceptionally robust, the Willys transported soldiers, officers, equipment, ammunition, and medical supplies. It quickly became an indispensable tool of Allied logistics and actively participated in the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944. It is precisely from one of these historic vehicles that Praesidus chose to take a section of the hood to create the dials for this new collection. The material is neither recreated nor treated to imitate the past: it comes directly from a genuine Jeep Willys that witnessed this period of history.
A truly unique dial
The centerpiece of the A-11 LMUV Fresh Green is, of course, its dial. After the watch body is recovered, Praesidus performs a highly controlled sandblasting process designed to gradually reveal the various layers of paint accumulated over decades. This technique exposes the original military olive green, the raw metal, the primer undercoats, traces of corrosion, and even scratches resulting from the vehicle's use.
The result is spectacular.
Each dial has its own unique combination of colors, textures, and signs of wear. No two watches are exactly alike. Unlike industrial processes of artificial aging, each timepiece truly tells a different story, inscribed in the material itself.
A modern interpretation of the famous A-11
The model's name is far from arbitrary. The A-11 is considered one of the most iconic American military watches of World War II. Produced by several manufacturers starting in 1943, it quickly became the standard watch for many American units. Praesidus does not aim to faithfully reproduce this historic timepiece. Rather, the LMUV is a contemporary reinterpretation that retains the key principles that made the original model so successful: excellent legibility, compact dimensions, robustness, and ease of use. The sandblasted stainless steel case measures 38 mm in diameter, a size very close to the historical proportions while remaining perfectly suited to modern expectations. The watch is completed by a double-domed sapphire crystal, enhancing its vintage aesthetic.
Discover the full profile of the Praesidus A-11 LMUV Fresh Green
A true field watch
While the dial belongs to the past, the technology is resolutely contemporary. The watch houses a Miyota 9039 automatic movement, widely recognized for its reliability and precision. This 24-jewel caliber operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers approximately 42 hours of power reserve. Praesidus also equips its model with a screw-down crown, a screw-down case back, and 100-meter water resistance—features that allow the LMUV to fully embrace its role as a field watch suitable for everyday use. The hour markers and hands benefit from a luminescent coating, ensuring excellent legibility in low-light conditions.
History rather than nostalgia
For several years now, numerous brands have been developing watches inspired by the Second World War. The field watch market is experiencing a real resurgence of interest, driven by both collectors and enthusiasts of tool watches. Praesidus' approach sets it apart from many competing products. The goal isn't simply to reproduce a historical design or a patinated dial. The project is based on genuine preservation of material heritage. Each watch incorporates an authentic fragment of a military vehicle that played a role in the history of the conflict. This dimension lends the object a unique depth. The visible aging on the dial is not merely an aesthetic effect; it is a tangible testament to the passage of time.
An edition that will appeal to collectors
The LMUV collection is available in several dial variations, each corresponding to a different layer of paint revealed during the restoration of the Willys Jeep's hood. The Fresh Green version particularly highlights the green hues still present on the original metal. Other variations reveal more of the raw metal, the red primer undercoats, or more heavily oxidized surfaces. This diversity further enhances the unique character of each piece. Even within the same variation, no two dials exhibit exactly the same nuances. For collectors, this unique feature is undoubtedly one of the watch's main attractions.
An original approach to the military watch
The Praesidus A-11 LMUV Fresh Green reflects a fundamental trend in contemporary watchmaking: telling an authentic story rather than simply reproducing a style. The combination of a historical material with a modern design reconciles heritage and everyday use. The watch retains the spirit of military field watches while offering the comfort, reliability, and robustness expected of a modern timepiece. This approach will appeal to both military history enthusiasts and lovers of original watches who wish to wear an object with genuine heritage value.
In short, about the Praesidus A-11 LMUV Fresh Green
The Praesidus A-11 LMUV Fresh Green doesn't aim to compete with major Swiss manufacturers in the realm of traditional luxury. Its appeal lies elsewhere: in its ability to transform a piece of military history into a contemporary timepiece. The choice to use the hood of an authentic Jeep Willys MB is as simple as it is effective. It gives each watch a personality impossible to replicate industrially and serves as a reminder that some creations can tell a story without the need for artifice.
Add to this a case with balanced proportions, a proven automatic movement, excellent legibility, and robust construction, and you have a remarkably cohesive military watch. At a time when many vintage creations are content to simply imitate the past, the Praesidus A-11 LMUV Fresh Green offers a more ambitious approach: wearing a genuine fragment of the Second World War on your wrist, respectfully transformed into a watch designed to accompany its owner for many years to come.
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Editor: Éric Barse
Journalist, entrepreneur, and founder of the websites www.cafe-racer-only.com and www.scooter-3-roues.com, Eric Barse divides his time between his passions: motorcycles, travel, and watches. A graduate of the Saint-Cyr military academy and the 2nd RPIMA (Parachute Regiment) before pursuing a career in communications and digital media, he has a true passion for authentic watches that have accompanied his two-wheeled adventures for many years, from the Indian Ocean to Africa and Latin America!
