Summary
Col & MacArthur honors D-Day heroes through materials from WWII relics. Moreover, each piece features sand from Normandy beaches, metal from US Army helmets, and fabric from soldiers’ haversacks. The result is a timepiece that keeps history alive on your wrist.
Introduction
The Normandie 1944 watch by Col & MacArthur is more than a timepiece. The Normandie 1944 watch pays tribute to the heroes who landed on D-Day. Crafted using steel from authentic WWII helmets and sand from Normandy beaches, this limited-edition watch keeps history alive on your wrist. Each detail connects the wearer to a powerful story of courage, freedom, and remembrance.
How the Normandie 1944 Watch Keeps D-Day Memories Alive
Founded in 2013 by Sébastien Colen and Iain Wood, Col & MacArthur is known for creating timepieces from unconventional materials. Their past creations used moon dust, meteorite fragments, and even seawater from Pearl Harbor.
Now, they turn to one of the most defining moments of the 20th century — the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.
Ultimately, the Normandie 1944 watch isn’t just about craftsmanship. It’s about emotion and memory — connecting today’s wearer to the bravery of those who fought for freedom.
What Makes the Normandie 1944 Watch Unique
Every watch contains three physical links to the past:
- Metal from a U.S. Army M-1 helmet — The team presses each helmet flat to preserve its markings.
- Sand from Normandy beaches — sealed in a capsule inside the case.
- Straps made from M-1928 haversacks — American soldiers used these haversacks on D-Day.
Furthermore, the dial carries a historic map of Omaha Beach, one of the five landing zones of Operation Neptune.
Design and Materials of the Normandie 1944 Watch
Colen sourced the helmets from a military memorabilia dealer in Dallas, Texas. Each M-1 helmet provides enough metal for about 20 watches. Importantly, the metal is not polished or cleaned beyond preservation — imperfections are left visible.
This way, the watch stays authentic and lets wearers feel the traces of time.
Even so, collecting sand required special permission. Since taking sand from French beaches is illegal, Colen obtained permission from a local mayor. He gathered grains that had blown naturally from Sword Beach onto a nearby road.
As a result, the process respected both law and memory.
Two Versions of the Normandie 1944 Watch
Col & MacArthur offers two editions of the Normandie 1944:
- Legacy Edition – Swiss-made movement, limited to 1,944 pieces, priced at $1,749.
- Standard Edition – Japanese movement, priced at $699.
Both versions share the same historical materials. Meanwhile, the difference lies in movement and exclusivity.
Each piece includes a certificate that confirms the materials’ origins.
The Ethics Behind Creating the Normandie 1944 Watch
Can history be preserved through transformation? That’s the question Colen often faces.
Some collectors see the transformation as disrespectful. Manufacturers produced over 20 million M-1 helmets between 1941 and 1945.
Still, Colen’s approach gives them new life. Instead of gathering dust, these relics become daily reminders of courage. He calls it “a question of authenticity.”
Col & MacArthur and the Legacy of the Normandie 1944 Watch
The company began by making watches for British regiments, including the Scots Guards. They achieved their first success in 2017 with a World War I centenary collection. Later, one of these watches reached President Emmanuel Macron.
Since then, Col & MacArthur has built watches containing tangible artifacts from:
- The Apollo 11 mission – moon dust embedded in dials.
- Pearl Harbor – seawater sealed between crystals.
- The Battle of Britain – fragments of aircraft metal.
If the Kickstarter campaign for the Normandie 1944 watch succeeds, the next tribute will follow — a collection honoring the Battle of the Bulge.
You can explore these collections on Col & MacArthur’s official site.
Why the Normandie 1944 Watch Matters to You
When you wear a watch like this, you carry more than time — you carry a story. Ultimately, you connect to people who faced the unimaginable and changed the course of history.
Would you rather keep such history behind glass, or wear it proudly on your wrist?
Therefore, if you love watches that hold meaning, explore our watch stories collection.
FAQs
What is the Normandie 1944 watch made of?
It contains metal from WWII M-1 helmets, sand from Normandy beaches, and fabric from US Army haversacks.
Is each watch identical?
No. Each varies in texture and markings because the materials differ.
Is it legal to use Normandy sand?
Colen received permission from the local mayor to collect the sand.
How many watches will be produced?
The premium Legacy edition is limited to 1,944 units — a symbolic reference to the year of D-Day.
Where can I buy the watch?
Pre-orders are available on Col & MacArthur’s Kickstarter campaign.
Credit
This article draws on reporting originally published by CNN Style Luxury.
Credit to Oscar Holland of CNN Style Luxury for sharing the insightful story.
This story is adapted from the CNN Style Travel, “The ‘D-Day watches’ made from WWII helmets — and beach sand from Normandy“, with additional SEO and contextual research by Saju Elizamma.
