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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFelca ref. 1187 is a modest, time-only vintage watch whose story reaches beyond its specification sheet. A 2022 Fratello article by Tomas Rosputinsky reports that the U.S. Army Exchange Service ordered 30,000 examples in February 1945, although the article says the final delivery totals and dates are unknown. The same story connects the watch to collector Curtis’s memories of his grandfather. Those historical details make the ref. 1187 intriguing, but they should be understood as claims reported by that article—not as independently verified order or service records.
What is the Felca ref. 1187?
The ref. 1187 is described by Rosputinsky as a simple, time-only watch. The article says it probably used a 17-jewel A. Schild (AS) 1187 lever movement in a chrome-plated case. “Probably” matters: the movement identification is not presented as certain, and the article’s examples should not be treated as a complete specification for every watch carrying the reference.
The examples discussed have silver dials, with condition ranging from worn luminous numerals and smeared printing to differences in case and hand preservation. These are observations of particular watches, not evidence that all ref. 1187s shared the same condition or appearance.
What is the military history—and what remains uncertain?
According to Rosputinsky’s August 11, 2022 Fratello article, the U.S. Army Exchange Service placed an order for 30,000 Felca ref. 1187 watches in February 1945. The article says the order suggested Felca had committed to delivering around 12,000 by May 1945. Rosputinsky did not find a record establishing the final delivery dates or total quantity delivered, so the reported order should not be read as proof that all 30,000 watches reached the Army.
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The article places the proposed deal in the context of Felca’s small scale: it reports that the company had 70 employees at the time. It dates the founding of Felco, the company that later adopted the Felca brand name, to 1919, and says Felca expanded internationally. Rosputinsky also writes that Fritz Schluep’s son Bruno is believed to have helped secure the Army business, drawing on Bruno’s time in the United States in the early 1940s.
The account refers to a scan of an Army order, but its underlying order record and company records are not independently established here. The figures and wartime narrative are therefore best attributed to the Fratello article rather than stated as independently confirmed facts. Read Tomas Rosputinsky’s Fratello article.
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Why does collector Curtis care about the watch?
The military connection is only part of the ref. 1187’s appeal. In Rosputinsky’s account, Curtis says he bought his first Felca at a garage sale around 2002, then acquired two more over the following years. He associates the watches with his grandfather, whom he called Papa Bill. Curtis recalled that his grandfather served with the U.S. 80th Infantry Division and received a Bronze Star for valor; those family and service details are Curtis’s recollections as reported in the article, not independently checked service records.
“This was what started my obsession. I bought it at a garage sale around 2002, and it was my first vintage watch purchase,” Curtis says in the article.
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That personal history helps explain why an unassuming watch can matter to a collector even without standout complications or elaborate finishing. Curtis put the appeal this way:
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.“I think it is sentimental. Felca watches are small, almost unnoteworthy watches but for their connection to things bigger than themselves. Somehow, maybe it’s why a lot of us enjoy watches — the stories, the memories, the connections, the history. A lot like not judging a book by its cover, it’s really the rest of the story that draws me in.”
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What should you check before buying a military-stamped example?
Rosputinsky warns that period cases can be worn and that military stamping can be fake. A stamp alone does not establish that a watch was issued or connected to the reported order. For a candidate watch, assess the condition and the seller’s supporting information together:
- Case: Look for wear that may have softened or obscured markings, and ask for clear photographs of the case and any stamp.
- Dial and lume: Examine the numerals, luminous material, printing and hands. The article describes variation among examples, so wear by itself neither proves nor disproves authenticity.
- Stamping and provenance: Ask what supports the seller’s military attribution. Treat an engraving or stamp as a detail to investigate, not proof on its own.
- Second opinion: Rosputinsky advises due diligence and suggests consulting experienced collectors before buying a stamped example. Their opinion can help assess the evidence, but it is not a guarantee of authenticity.
Where does Felca fit in the wider brand story?
The Fratello article says Titoni emerged as a sister brand in the early 1950s and that the military Felca inspired later Titoni releases. That link gives the ref. 1187 a place in a longer brand story, while the wartime order remains a reported episode with an unresolved delivery record.
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- FIELD-READY DESIGN: This men's military field watch and work watch pairs a rugged 41mm case with dependable Japanese quartz accuracy — built for hiking, the office, and everyday wear.
- SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL, SCRATCH-RESISTANT: Anti-reflective sapphire glass protects the analog dial from daily bumps and scratches, so this men's watch stays sharp-looking through years of active, outdoor use.
- 50M WATER RESISTANT: Rated for rain, hand-washing, and everyday splashes — built for an active, outdoor lifestyle, though not intended for diving.
- INTERCHANGEABLE NYLON STRAP: The 22mm nylon watch strap is comfortable for everyday wear and easy to change between different occasions.
- DAY-DATE DISPLAY, READY TO GIFT: Luminous hands and a day-date window make this wrist watch easy to read day or night — a practical, giftable men's watch for birthdays or everyday wear.
Rosputinsky suggests keeping an eye on eBay for a Felca military watch. That is a marketplace suggestion, not confirmation of current listings, availability or prices; those can change, and the article does not establish what a particular example should cost.
