Vintage Waltham ORD DEPT Military USA Watch, Radium Dial, Cal. 6/0 B from 1940's

This vintage Waltham ORD DEPT wristwatch is a true piece of American military history. Produced in the early 1940s during World War II, these watches were issued by the U.S. Army for non-aviation personnel, serving officers, engineers, and ground troops who needed reliable, legible timekeeping in demanding conditions. This wasn’t about luxury - it was about function, durability, and trust.

The ORD DEPT (Ordnance Department) signature on the caseback ties this watch directly to wartime government contracts. Waltham was one of the key American manufacturers selected to supply the military, and their watches earned a reputation for toughness and consistency. The design is pure military utility: compact, readable, and purpose-built. The radium dial, with its bold Arabic numerals and luminous hands, was essential for low-light visibility and remains one of the most iconic visual traits of WWII-era field watches today.

Considering buying a radium watch?

Learn what collectors need to know about safety, aging lume, and radioactive dials in our article:

Is It Safe to Wear a Radium Watch?

Sized at 31mm, the watch wears exactly as intended - compact, discreet, and comfortable, yet full of presence thanks to its strong proportions and thick mid-case. Inside beats Waltham’s 17-jewel manual-wind Caliber 6/0 B, a dependable American-made movement designed to keep running in harsh environments. 

CASE

Serial number OG-39403
ORD DEPT signed caseback
Case diameter of 31mm
Lug-to-lug length of 38.5mm
Case thickness of 11.5mm
Lug width of 16mm

MOVEMENT

Waltham USA Caliber 6/0 B
Manual-wind movement
17 jewels
American-made wartime movement

DIAL

Original radium dial
Bold Arabic numerals for maximum legibility
Luminous radium hands and markers
Authentic military field watch layout
Strong vintage character consistent with early 1940s production

YEAR

Circa early 1940s (World War II era)