Specialized in aviation watches, Austin, Texas based watch brand Tockr joined with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) in 2018 to launch a 100-piece series of Tockr D-Day C-47 watches designed to honor the brave World War II veterans who gave it all on D-Day. These commemorative watches featured dials made of original material salvaged from the paratrooper transport that led the combat charge into Normandy: an aircraft famously known as “That’s All, Brother.” Within a month and a half, the first edition sold out. This unprecedented demand ahead of the 75th anniversary of D-Day this year led Tockr and CAF to collaborate on a second edition of 100 D-Day C-47 timepieces, available online now at tockr.com/dday.
Once again, Tockr will donate a portion of the proceeds from each Tockr D-Day C-47 watch sale to help fund CAF’s non-profit mission of education and preservation, supporting the extensive restoration and ongoing maintenance of the historic “That’s All, Brother” aircraft for future generations. “Creating the D-Day C-47 has been deeply personal for me, as my own grandfather flew a C-47 during World War II,” explained Tockr Founder Austin Ivey. “Stories have been flooding in and it’s been so moving to hear just how much this historically significant timepiece has resonated with collectors and history lovers around the world, even some whose lives were directly impacted by that day in Normandy 75 years ago.”
Personal Stories from Tockr D-Day C-47 Customers:
“I am so excited to have a part of D-Day history, which means the world to me and my family. My uncle was killed in Germany, as a private with the 84th infantry, and I have been fascinated by WWII my entire life. I look forward to receiving the watch and also to being able to help aviation restoration efforts.”- GP
“I am the child of Holocaust survivors, and the invasion of Normandy contributed to the fact I am here today…this watch would have a special meaning to me… I went for the “Stamped” dial option, as I think that dial conveys “That’s all Brother” mission best. I was in for a positive surprise when I finally received my watch! No picture can do it justice, it’s a genuinely stunning timepiece and a piece of history all at once… Bottom line, the D-Day C-47 is a unique watch that’s also super comfortable and begs to [be] worn daily.” -Sascha
“The watch will be proudly worn on our trip to Normandy next year.” – TJ
Protecting and Preserving History with the Tockr D-Day C-47 Watch
After the first edition of 100 D-Day C-47 watches sold out, Tockr returned to CAF to collect more salvaged aircraft material from “That’s All, Brother” to cut new watch dials for a second edition. Once again, Tockr has taken the utmost care to faithfully preserve and protect the original, genuine markings on the airplane. Each dial’s unique character reflects the perilous journey the aircraft undertook during World War II combat service, with no two watches alike.
The D-Day C-47’s distinct dial types are reprised for the second edition, each with dark to light hues of brown and green and varying degrees of painting, stamping, or weathering. “Clean Cut” dials feature light to medium weathering and exhibit some light, original distressing; “Stamped” dials feature medium weathering and select “Stamped” models also display original typography in yellow, brown or blue hues. “Hard Worn” models feature heavily weathered, crackled, and chipped dial material with large areas of exposed aluminum. Each precious piece of history has been preserved beneath a special anti-corrosion sealant. Through an anti-glare sapphire crystal, the wearer can admire each richly textured dial, over which an airplane-shaped second-hand, coated in vivid orange Super Luminova, ticks along in a visual cue that links the timepiece to the storied “That’s All, Brother” aircraft.
The Austin, Texas based brand commissioned legendary watch designer Emmanuel Gueit to design a 42mm cushion-shaped case to frame these historic dials, and the case also houses a Swiss automatic ETA 2834 A6 movement, assembled in Switzerland. Each Tockr D-Day C-47 model comes presented in a military-inspired, keepsake wooden box with two straps: a drab green strap made from canvas webbing and a brown leather band.
Helping “That’s All, Brother” to Fly Again Over Normandy
In 2019, CAF and “That’s All, Brother” will return to the skies over Normandy for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, retracing the path from the United States to England and on to Normandy, and the Tockr D-Day C-47 will be along for the ride.
“I’m so proud to be a part of this extraordinary project which has touched so many lives,” said Tockr Co-Founder Sophy Rindler. “With a portion of each watch sale, Tockr pledges to continue supporting CAF’s mission of historic preservation and ensuring that “That’s All, Brother” is in flight-ready condition to educate and inspire generations to come.”