From the early days of key wind watches, pocket watches have often been provided the protection of double cases. The extra outer case persisted through WWI and into WWII in the form of various types of pressed metal and even rubber cases. But all of these were for pocket watches, or... almost all of them.

Here we have two examples of wristwatch protective outer cases used by Japanese troops from at least the early 1930's and throughout WWII.

Made from chrome plated brass, the little cases were made to hold small wristwatches. Most often, small, inexpensive, round, wire-lug watches are found in these cases, of either Swiss or Japanese, Seiko, production.

The watch is held upon a small strip of brass which will lift the watch up for winding when the case is hinged open. These cases are clearly not waterproof, but would otherwise have provided a watch with at least some protection from the bumps and scrapes of military life.

The plastic crystals often had the hours 13 through 24 printed upon them for military time.

These little cases came in numerous variations, some of them have the 13 through 24 hour markers embossed into the metal around the dial opening. Others have been seen with elastic in place of the metal strip to hold the watch inside. In addition to markings in Japanese, some of these outer cases are found with markings in English, suggesting that the manufacturer(s) may have intended to export them at some point. However, as far as I can tell, they did not catch on outside of Japan.

Some clues regarding the age and use of these cases were found in a Japanese Army photo album. Various images, some of which appear to be as old as the early 1930's show troops wearing these wristwatch protectors on broad leather straps.

A close-up...

It seems that whenever some antique dealer wants to sell a military watch, it always is advertised as belonging to an officer. As this group shot indicates, various other ranks from recruits to senior privates also had watches.

A close up of the watch in the lower right of the above photo.

The watch bands made and used by Imperial Japan are no less interesting. The slide upon this unusual example is marked with an Imperial Army star flanked by the words, “courage” to the left and “loyalty” to the right. Special thanks to Student3 at the Japanese Military Watch Forum for translations. Japanese Military Watch Forum