Why We Love It

Military chronographs hold an endless fascination among collectors, not least of all for their robust good looks.

And flying high among the best and brightest is the Heuer Bundeswehr.

Known affectionately as the “Bund,” this particular example is in strong condition aesthetically and running like a top, every millimeter of its corrosion-resistant monocoque case is precision-engineered to be a lean, mean, fighting machine. Internally, the manually-wound chronograph movement features a flyback mechanism, allowing for precise use as a navigational instrument. If you want a watch with a bonafide military pedigree and looks to match, then look no further!

The Story

The Heuer Bundeswehr was designed for the sole purpose of use in military aviation. It was General Issue for pilots in the air forces of many nations (including the Italian Air Force, under the brand Leonidas, which Heuer acquired in the 60s) but is best-known for its use by the Luftwaffe of West Germany. From the 1960s to the 1970s, the "Bund" (as it's affectionately known) saw a range of dial configurations, which are broken down .

Shown here is the "T" dial with a small "T" printed just above the  6:00 position, denoting Tritium luminous material was used on the dial.

As with many military watches, the Bund is a front-loader, with the movement being secured by the screw-mounted case back that is attached to the bezel. The Bund, being a manually-wound flyback chrono, used a host of Valjoux movements, from the Valjoux 22 to the Caliber 220 to the Caliber 230. Sturdy, dependable, it's the sort of watch you want strapped to your wrist whether you're dodging enemy fighters at 35,000 feet or engaged in more terrestrial pursuits.