Bulova A-11 Jimmy: A Faithful Tribute To A WWII Field Watch
Few military watches are as closely associated with the history of American watchmaking as the A-11. Developed to meet United States Government specifications during the Second World War, the design became an important reference for the simple, precise and robust field watches supplied to American forces.
Bulova was among the manufacturers responsible for producing A-11 watches during the 1940s, alongside Elgin and Waltham. Today, the brand continues that connection with the new A-11 Jimmy, a modern interpretation that stays particularly close to the visual character of its historical predecessor.
A compact military case
The A-11 Jimmy uses a 37 mm stainless steel case, giving the watch proportions that remain relatively compact by contemporary standards while increasing the dimensions of the original, which measured approximately 32mm.
Its construction follows the familiar A-11 formula, with a coin-edge bezel, a prominent fluted crown and curved lugs. The combination gives the watch a distinctly utilitarian appearance while retaining the restrained proportions associated with wartime field watches.
On the reverse, Bulova has added a detailed engraving referencing the original United States Government specifications, reinforcing the connection between this modern model and the military watches of the 1940s.
A dial built around legibility
The black dial follows the classic A-11 layout, with a white numerical hour track surrounded by a railroad-style minute track. Minute numerals appear at ten-minute intervals, providing a clear reference for reading elapsed time.
The hands consist of traditional sword-shaped hour and minute hands, accompanied by a slender needle-style seconds hand. While the overall design remains faithful to the period aesthetic, Bulova has incorporated Super-LumiNova on the hands and dial tracks, providing a practical improvement for low-light visibility.
The result is a dial where functionality remains the defining characteristic. There are no unnecessary complications or decorative elements, keeping the visual hierarchy firmly centred on timekeeping.
The “Hack Watch” principle
One of the defining characteristics of the original A-11 specification was its hacking function. Pulling the crown out stops the seconds hand, allowing the wearer to set the time accurately and synchronise it with another reference.
The feature may seem completely ordinary today, but precise synchronisation was particularly useful for military personnel during the Second World War. This functionality also contributed to another nickname associated with the A-11: the “Hack Watch”.
The modern A-11 Jimmy retains this feature through its Miyota Calibre 9039 automatic movement. The movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), offers approximately 42 hours of power reserve and can also be wound manually through the crown.
As Bulova and Miyota are both part of the Citizen Group, the choice of movement also creates a connection within the wider Citizen watchmaking family.
A more faithful strap configuration
Rather than the nylon NATO straps used on some previous versions of the modern A-11 Jimmy, this edition comes fitted with a khaki woven two-piece strap.
The colour and construction are intended to reproduce the utilitarian character of the original military configuration, while a traditional pin buckle keeps the setup straightforward.
For everyday practicality, Bulova has also equipped the watch with quick-release spring bars, making it possible to remove the strap without specialised tools.
A-11 specifications for today
The new A-11 Jimmy demonstrates how a historically important military watch can be adapted to contemporary dimensions without fundamentally changing its original design language. The 37 mm case remains compact, the dial prioritises immediate legibility and the Miyota 9039 provides modern automatic performance while preserving the hacking functionality that was central to the original specification.
The combination of the coin-edge bezel, fluted crown, curved lugs, black-and-white dial and khaki strap gives the watch a distinctly period-inspired appearance, while Super-LumiNova, a larger case and quick-release spring bars bring it into the present.
The Bulova A-11 Jimmy is available now for USD 795.
Our Opinion
The A-11 is an important part of the history of military watches, and this new Jimmy version takes a notably restrained approach to its revival. Rather than simply borrowing the A-11 name, Bulova has retained several of the design elements that made the original immediately recognisable, while making sensible adjustments for a contemporary mechanical watch.
At 37 mm, the case also keeps the proportions relatively modest, making this a particularly interesting option for those looking for a military-inspired watch without the larger dimensions that have become common in modern field watches.
More information here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Bulova
Model: A-11 Jimmy
Reference: 96A354
Dial: Black
Lume: Yes
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 37 mm Diameter
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 50 Meters
Strap: Khaki Canvas strap with steel pin buckle
Calibre: Miyota 9039
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Jewels: 24
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Price: USD 795
Limited Edition: No
Availability: Now
