Normandie 1944 Watch Now Available: Col&McArthur launches WWII tribute timepiece for immediate purchase

Following massive Kickstarter success and a CNN Style feature, Col&McArthur’s latest battlefield tribute is available in time for holiday gifting

Liege, Belgium – After a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign that surpassed $350,000 from more than 425 backers and earned recognition from CNN Style, Col&McArthur's Normandie 1944 watch is now available for immediate purchase from the company’s online store. Orders placed now until December 20 will arrive before Christmas, making this historically significant timepiece a memorable gift option for watch enthusiasts, military veterans, and history lovers.

The Normandie 1944 honors the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied warriors who fought one of the pivotal battles of that war, a moment that truly turned the tide of the global conflict.

These timepieces from the Belgium-based watchmakers incorporate authentic materials including sand from Normandy, authentic WWII M1 steel helmets, and vintage haversacks. Created in collaboration with the D-Day Experience, Normandy's largest museum now celebrating its 20th anniversary, every detail has been designed with painstaking attention to historical resonance. The museum and Col&McArthur came together once again to officially release the Normandie 1944 on November 25 during a public launch event. Previous to the event, Col&McArthur employees and supporters led a cleanup of the nearby Omaha Beach, the tip of the spear on June 6, 1944.

"The response to Normandie 1944 during our Kickstarter campaign showed us that this watch truly resonates with people who understand the importance of honoring our shared history," says Col&McArthur founder Sebastien Colen. "We're thrilled to now make this tribute available to a wider audience. Our hope is that many more people will be able to find and enjoy this piece, and carry with them a reminder of the courage and sacrifice that shaped our world."

The Normandie 1944 has been crafted with extraordinary attention to historical authenticity:

• The dial is fashioned from authentic WWII-era US M1 helmets and emblazoned with the historically accurate map of Operation Neptune
• Normandy beach sand is incorporated into each watch, respectfully gathered from outside the iconic site's protected memorial areas with local authorities' approval
• An optional canvas watch band is made from rugged vintage M-1928 haversacks used during the war
• Wearable 43 mm case size with sapphire crystal
• Multiple options for movement and finishing available at varying price points

Normandie 1944 joins a growing line of Col&McArthur timepieces that honor key historical moments in American history. The company's watch honoring America's moon landing included genuine moondust and the official NASA logo. Its Armistice 1918 watch, a tribute to the day WWI came to an end, has won admirers across the US and Europe, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

"The past is not a memory. It lives on through us, and Normandie 1944 is a small but potent reminder of what came before, what has shaped our present," reflects Colen. "We can honor the past every day and share in a tiny part of the courage and spirit that led to a momentous victory for freedom."

About Col&McArthur

Founded in 2013 in Liège, Belgium, Col&McArthur is a premium watchmaker dedicated to preserving history through timepieces. Since 2018, the company has sold more than 10,000 watches in over 70 countries worldwide. Each collection is inspired by major historical milestones, from the Moon Landing to World War commemorations, and has earned recognition from international leaders, collectors, and veterans alike. Previous limited-edition models have included authentic materials such as moondust and WWII military artifacts, and have been featured in leading media across Europe and the US.