Recon - C-46 Commando
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FREE SHIPPING
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EASY RETURNS
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2-YEAR WARRANTY
The Redwood Recon was inspired by the legendary chronographs issued to air force pilots from WW2 onwards. The perfect blend of classic design with modern functionality, the Recon is ready for anything you throw at it. The Recon C-46 Commando with its black dial and its sword-shaped hands evokes cockpit instruments of that era.
This watch is our first one using the Seiko VK63 movement. It seamlessly combines the unparalleled accuracy of quartz timekeeping with the mechanical finesse of a 5 Hz smooth sweeping seconds chronograph module.
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Diameter | 40 mm |
| Length (lug-to-lug) | 48 mm |
| Thickness | 11.3 mm |
| Strap Width | 20 mm |
| Movement (?) | Seiko VK63 |
| Glass | Sapphire (scratch-resistant) |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM |
30-Day Returns
Should you change your mind and decide the watch you ordered is not for you, you can return your unworn watch to us within 30 days for a refund.
2-Year Warranty
All Redwood watches are covered by a 2-year warranty. Should you encounter a problem with your watch within 2 years of purchase, please contact us for a free repair or replacement.
All orders are shipped from the USA or Canada with tracking and insurance.
NO DUTY / TARIFFS ON ALL ORDERS TO USA / CANADA
Typical Shipping Times
| USA / Canada | 1 - 7 days |
| Europe | 4 - 7 days |
| Rest of the world | 5 - 12 days |
Shipping Cost
| Order up to $99 | Order over $100 | |
| USA / Canada | $12.50 | Free |
| EU* / UK / CH | $12 | $12 |
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HK / Japan / South Korea / Singapore |
$45 | $45 |
| Australia / NZ | $20 | $20 |
| All other countries | $50 | $50 |
*does not apply to all EU countries
** all amounts shown are in USD
International orders (outside the USA/Canada)
Please be aware that your local authorities may collect VAT and import duty upon delivery. Please contact your local customs offices for more information.
NO DUTY / TARIFFS ON ALL ORDERS TO USA / CANADA
Customer Reviews
Great watch
The C-47 is pure fun. Charge it under a light and the entire dial glows brighter than any watch I have owned. In daylight it is a solid chrono but in the dark it transforms into something completely different.
I must have looked at over a hundred watches before buying, but Redwood was the only brand I could actually picture myself wearing. It was never about hype or status. The design simply felt right. Rugged, functional, authentic. Like gear that is meant to be used. I did not choose Redwood because they were cheaper. I chose them because they matched me better than anything else I saw. That is why I now own three of them.
This watch punches above its weight! It is a beautiful vintage look, it feels premium, and the leather strap is soft and looks great too.
CHRONOGRAPHS INSPIRED BY WW2 PILOT WATCHES
HERITAGE-INSPIRED. RUGGED. COCKPIT-READY.
Born of War. Built for Recon.
RECON: COVERT OPERATIONS IN EAST ASIA
In 1946, as China descended into civil war, American war hero Claire Lee Chennault founded Civil Air Transport to fly supplies into active war zones. Using surplus Curtiss C-46 Commando and Douglas C-47 Dakota aircraft, CAT recruited former Flying Tigers pilots, men who had already carved their names into Pacific combat history.
What began as a civilian airline quickly moved into the shadows. Acquired by the CIA, CAT operated commercial routes as cover for covert anti-communist missions across East Asia well into the 1960s. These were not ceremonial flights. They were low-altitude supply drops, hostile airspace insertions, and landings on improvised strips under threat of small arms fire.
The Redwood Recon draws from that era, when timekeeping wasn’t aesthetic, it was operational. Inspired by the chronographs issued to Allied airmen from WWII onward, the Recon carries the clarity, legibility, and purpose of true pilot instruments.
Most of us will never set down a transport aircraft on a dirt strip under fire. But a proper tool watch should be capable of more than it will ever be asked to endure.
The Recon doesn’t borrow history. It’s built in its image.
The Heart of a Pilot’s Instrument
THE MECA-QUARTZ MOVEMENT
Mechanical Feel. Quartz Tough.
Inside the Recon beats the Seiko VK63: a modern hybrid built for accuracy and action. Unlike the hand-wound pilot chronographs of the 1940s, the VK63 combines quartz precision with a mechanical chronograph module. The result is uncompromising reliability, instant reset, a crisp pusher action and a smooth 5 Hz sweep when the chronograph is engaged. It’s the kind of movement you trust without thinking about it.
STOPWATCH FUNCTION
The Recon’s chronograph lets you time events with military precision. Measuring up to 60 minutes with 1/5th second accuracy, it’s engineered for split-second reliability, whether you’re tracking elapsed flight maneuvers or timing any mission-critical task.
MILITARY TIME INDICATOR
The right sub-dial keeps military time, providing a clear 24-hour readout at a glance. A simple, functional feature designed for legibility and precision: exactly the kind of detail pilots have relied on for decades.
From Daylight to Dead of Night
DOUBLE-LAYER DIAL
The two-layer dial adds depth, while the three recessed sub-dials keep every readout clear and legible. Built for instant clarity under any conditions. No distractions, just precision.
Illumination Built for the Mission
The Recon glows when the mission demands it. Inspired by WWII pilot watches, which relied on radium and posed serious safety risks, we’ve upgraded to non-radioactive Super-LumiNova pigments. By day, the lume reads as subtle off-white. By night, it erupts in a bright green glow, ensuring your time is always legible, no matter how dark the cockpit, field, or trail.
Rugged By Design
Engineered for Duty
The Recon draws inspiration from classic pilot chronographs but is engineered for modern duty. At 40mm, it balances cockpit practicality with rugged wearability on the ground. Fully stainless steel and brushed to reduce glare, with drilled lugs for fast strap swaps. Optional PVD coating delivers a stealthy, tactical look. No frills. No shortcuts. Just a tool watch built to endure.
GLASS YOU CAN TRUST
A flat 1.5mm sapphire crystal tough enough to handle extreme conditions, not just desk duty. Nearly as hard as diamond, it resists scratches that would sideline lesser watches. Whether you’re on a field operation or facing the elements, the Recon keeps your mission in sight.
All-Terrain Durability
Sealed cases weren’t optional for wartime pilots, they were survival. The Recon carries that same battlefield spirit. With a shop-tested 100m/330ft water resistance,and a tightly secured caseback, it defends against dust, rain, mud, and whatever else comes your way. This watch doesn’t flinch. It’s built for action, wherever the mission takes you.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
WW2 DESIGN BOX
M56 CANVAS POUCH
WATCH
ADD-ON STRAPS
(OPTIONAL)
PAPERWORK
WW2 DESIGN
BOX
M56 TYPECANVAS POUCH
RECONWATCH
ADD-ON STRAPS
(OPTIONAL)
MANUALS &
WARRANTY CARD
OPERATING THE STOPWATCH FUNCTION
START TIMING:
PRESS START/STOP
STOP TIMING:
PRESS START/STOP
READ ELAPSED TIME
(ex: 17 min 18 sec)
“We know how hard it is to find a watch with the right look, a solid build, and a fair price. That is why we started Redwood.”
The Redwood Brothers
ASSEMBLED IN
N. AMERICA
HYBRID MECA-QUARTZMOVEMENT
WW2 PILOTDESIGN
2-YEAR
WARRANTY
SPECIFICATIONS
CASE
Diameter: 40mm
MOVEMENT
Accuracy +/- 20 sec / mo
GLASS
Flat SapphireInternal AR Coating
Thickness: 1.5mm
CROWN
WATER RESISTANCE
STRAP
Stainless Steel Bonklip Type Bracelet
Leather, Nylon or Rubber Strap
Brushed Stainless Steel Hardware
DIAL
C-47
Super-LumiNova C1
Matte Off-White Dial
2-Layer Dial
WEIGHT
58g (Excluding Strap/Bracelet)What our customers think
"I actually loved my first watch so much I got a second and they both are amazing! The glow works wonders and the water resistance helps with all my wet PNW adventures. I'll probably be getting another."
Sean B.
"Build quality is excellent, and has accompanied me on hikes, hunting trips, and mountain biking, all while being fashionable at the same time!"
Neil K.
"This watch has withstood a good sixth months of fieldwork with constantly being hit by tree branches and shrubs and hasn't been scratched by any of it. Can't complain about anything with this watch. "
George H.
"It's a great watch. Simple, stylish, highly legible, quality construction. It's my number one go-to watch. "
David M.
THE REDWOOD PROMISE
Good design, rugged construction, fair price: When we were shopping for a watch, we were told we could only pick two out of the three.
Redwood was born from the desire to be able to own a watch with a great design anchored in history, a quality build with solid specs and a fair price. This is the Redwood Promise.
HERITAGE DESIGNS
At Redwood, we have great respect and admiration for heritage designs. Military watches from WW2 to the 80s and the outdoor lifestyle have been our biggest influence [read more]
RUGGED BUILD
We decided early on to build rugged watches because we wanted our customers to have a product that would last for years. By using quality materials, we ensure their durability and good looks [read more]
FAIR PRICING
Redwood is a small. independent, family-owned brand. We take pride in building solid watches and selling them at an honest price. With no corporate backers, we are free from pressures to reach sales goals and profit margins.
NORTH AMERICAN ASSEMBLY
Early on, we had the goal to manufacture watches at home. Since 2020, our watches are proudly assembled all over the USA and Canada [read more]
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