The serial number is unique to each individual watch and allows it to be traced in the stocking and maintenance systems. This is the most common issue mark among all issued watches. Using this guide, you should be able to develop a basic understanding of the issue markings on most military watches you encounter.
The guide is organized into a few major categories of markings, with a few examples in each category. Today, we’ll share a quick guide for deciphering a majority of military and government issue watch markings. Interpreting those meanings can sometimes be like solving a puzzle, with long strings of numbers telling you important information about the watch, like where it’s from, how it was designed to be used, when it was made, and a lot more. These numbers and symbols–sometimes on the dial and almost always on the case–can carry a number of different meanings.
One of the more interesting and unique characteristics of military watches that sets them apart from their civilian counterparts are the issue markings.
