Heuer Bundeswehr

Why We Love It Known affectionally as the “Bund,” the Heuer Bundeswehr flies high among military chronographs. A Fliegeruhr through and through, there’s nothing flimsy or flip about this watch. Strapping it on your wrist can conjure daydreams of piloting a F-4 Phantom II over Soviet airspace. The one we offer here boasts a strong case, replete with the military markings on the case back and enough signs of honest wear to suggest a life in service of its country. The dial is what’s known as a T version, due to the tiny T over 6 o’clock that indicates the luminescent material is tritium. As collectors know, the best thing about tritium is the patina, and this watch has patina for days. On a drab green nylon strap, this Bund is ready to report for duty! The Story The Heuer Bundeswehr Reference 1550SG was supplied to members of the West German Federal Defense Force or Bundeswehr. Like the Zenith A. Cairelli, the Bundeswehr was of larger proportions: a 43mm monocoque case of brushed steel surmounted by a rotating bezel. Over this watch’s lifetime, it saw many different dial configurations—some with military markings, some without—but all using that same 43mm case. Like another famous pilot’s chronograph, the Type 20, the Bundeswehr had a flyback or retour en vol function, whereby the chronograph could be reset without having to stop it—just by pressing the bottom pusher while the chronograph is running. Svelte despite its size, the Bundeswehr is just the sort of tool watch you want on your wrist, whether you’re engaged in dogfights miles above the Earth or in more terrestrial pursuits.