October 9, 2026

4 Things You Didn’t Know About the Bulova A-11 Jimmy Field Watch

The watch once nicknamed “The Watch That Won the War” just got a Hollywood-worthy glow-up. Here’s why the new Bulova A-11 Jimmy (ref. 96A354) is far more interesting than it first appears.

1. It’s Tied to a Real-Life Hollywood Hero

The watch takes its name from Jimmy, a film hitting theaters on November 6, 2026. It tells the true story of actor Jimmy Stewart, who walked away from stardom just weeks after winning an Academy Award to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Here’s the cool part: Bulova loaned original timepieces from its museum archives to the film’s costume department. The new model is inspired by the 1940s A-11 “Hack Watch” you’ll actually see on screen.

2. The Faded Logo Is a Secret History Lesson

Look closely at the dial and you’ll notice the “Bulova” name is printed in dark gray. This is not a printing flaw. It’s a deliberate nod to the “sterile dial” A-11s issued to soldiers in WWII, which carried no branding at all. The rest of the dial sticks closely to the original military spec. You get a matte black surface, crisp white markings, and hands and numerals coated in BGW9 Super-LumiNova for nighttime visibility.

3. It’s a Full 3mm Slimmer, Thanks to a Movement Swap

Compared with Bulova’s earlier A-11 Hack model, the Jimmy shrinks from 14.2mm to just 11.2mm thick. The secret is the premium Miyota Caliber 9039, which replaces the entry-level 8000 series. This 24-jewel automatic movement:

Beats at 28,800vph
Delivers a 42-hour power reserve
Keeps the classic hacking seconds feature

Up top, a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment replaces the older mineral glass, so it’s far more scratch-resistant.

4. Those Drilled Lugs Are Pure 1940s Authenticity

The 18mm lugs feature drilled spring-bar holes, just like the original A-11s. Those early watches were made before military specs switched to fixed bars. In practice, you won’t even need tools to change straps. The khaki nylon two-piece strap uses quick-release bars and is finished with a signed steel buckle. A clever two-piece screw-down caseback also keeps the mil-spec markings perfectly aligned. Water resistance is 50 meters, which is fine for still-water swimming.

The Bottom Line: At $795, the A-11 Jimmy is Bulova’s flagship vintage field watch. It’s the most refined A-11 the brand has ever made. Movie buffs and history lovers should probably grab one before the film’s premiere puts it on everyone’s wishlist.

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