The Redwood Brothers recognise the plight of the common man when it comes to finding a quality watch. “We know how hard it is to find a watch with the right style, a solid build, and a fair price. That is why we started Redwood,” says the pair. To rectify that situation, the Redwood Brothers turned to the mid-50s and the Green Berets who served in Vietnam to create the Redwood Kilroy Watch—a timepiece that anyone can own and enjoy.
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Kilroy | Image: Redwood Watches
It was during the Vietnam War that the specifications for a field watch were modernized, resulting in the A17/A watches. These new timepieces featured high-grade movements, stronger cases, and a military dial. It was no surprise that these watches soon became the standard for military watches. And then the legendary Steve McQueen wore one of these watches in Bullitt, firmly entrenching this venerable watch in the halls of classic horology.
It’s from that background that Redwood built the modern version of the A17/A—the Kilroy Watch. Showcasing the military dial—which has a high contrast for enhanced legibility—the watch has the normal 12-hour cycle on the outside ring with the full 24 hours continued in smaller numbers on the inside. The thin hour and minute hands also offer contrast against the red second hand. Like its inspiration, the Kilroy has a tough case made of stainless steel and that measures 40mm in diameter.
Kilroy | Image: Redwood Watches
The case sports a brushed finish and giant lugs, while the screw-down crown is oversized and the flat sapphire crystal is scratch-proof. The watch can descend to 330 feet of water and the watch is also dustproof. While these don’t have automatic or self-winding movements, the solar-powered addition is an interesting nod to history. Of course, these pieces won’t necessarily hold up to a Swiss-made timepiece, but for USD$159, you really can’t go wrong.
In case you’re wondering where the name Kilroy came from, just flip the watch over and you’ll see a cartoon sketch made famous by American GIs along with the inscription “Kilroy was here.” If you’re going to pick up your own version of the watch, you’ll be glad to know that it comes with a heritage-inspired watch roll inspired by the M42 field jacket that can hold up to six watches.
Kilroy | Image: Redwood Watches
Kilroy | Image: Redwood Watches
Kilroy | Image: Redwood Watches
Kilroy | Image: Redwood Watches
