Australian watch brand Haigh & Hastings has released a limited edition watch commemorating the centenary of Gallipoli with the aim of raising $148,000 (£76,400) for an Australian veterans organisation.
The brand has produced 1,000 of the Gallipoli Centenary timepiece and will donate $148 AUS (£76) from each watch sold to The Returned & Services League (RSL).
The unique partnership honours the significance of timepieces amongst the Australian Defence Force, with servicemen being among the first to routinely wear wrist watches before they became popular amongst the general public.
Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, national president of the RSL, said: “Standard timepieces issued to military men were pocket watches but because of their impractical use in trenches, servicemen were one of the first to wear watches on their wrists.
“Timepieces have and still do play an important part of military history and the special edition Haigh & Hastings watch encapsulates the significance of the Gallipoli Centenary not only for servicemen, but for their families. It’s a keepsake and will have the same meaning when passed down to future generations.”
The watch, based on the Haigh & Hastings M2 Diver, features a sand-coloured bezel and silicon rubber strap as well as being presented with a khaki NATO strap. The dial is emblazoned with the words ‘Lest we Forget’ and a poppy represents the 12 o’clock hour marker. The caseback features a silhouette of an ANZAC soldier with a bugle, designed by renowned military artist, Ian Coate.
Each Haigh & Hastings Gallipoli Centenary timepiece, priced at $648 AUS (£334) and available from the Haigh & Hastings website, comes in a special edition box and has its own numbered certificate of authenticity.
Hi
Do you still stock the yellow watch strap for the Gallipoli Centenary as my small two small bands have broken