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SKU: vws0628

Silver Trench Watch - Sterile Dial - Articulated Lugs and Double Hinged Caseback

A Silver World War 1, Trench Watch with Articulated Lugs and Double Hinged Caseback

Case
Silver
Condition
 7.5/10
Year
WWI (Approx)
Box/Papers
No/No
View full specification
£495.00GBP

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A Silver World War 1, Trench Watch with Articulated Lugs and Double Hinged Caseback, good condition - a nice talking point

The Trench watch (wristlet) was a type of watch that came into use by the military during World War I, as pocket watches were not practical in combat. It was a transitional design between pocket watches and wristwatches, incorporating features of both. 

The very first watch that somebody adapted to wear on a wrist is unknown. The first series of purpose-made men’s wristwatches were produced by Girard-Perregaux in 1880 for the German Navy. During World War I numerous companies, including Omega, Longines, and others produced wristwatches for the military. These watches were of a virtually identical style with an enamel dial, wide white numerals, and a luminescent radium hour hand. Often they did not bear the name of the manufacturer, though the movement, originally designed in the 1890s for ladies pendant watches, was marked "Swiss".

From pocket watches those trench watches inherited hinged front and back covers. The lugs for a strap looked like a thick wire attachment to the classical round shape of pocket watches rather than an integrated part of the body of the later and more modern wristwatches. The name "wristlet" was used until the early 1930s and was eventually replaced by the modern name "wristwatch".


What’s On Offer 

A rather appealing trench-style watch with a white (sterile/unbranded) enamel dial, Arabic numerals with original lume, and a seconds subdial. The elegant blued steel pointed lollipop hands are an extravagant and stylish addition to this piece as the process for producing blued steel is rather involved!

The textured screw-type bezel and oversized gilt crown combined with the fairly substantial dial diameter really give this watch a contemporary feel despite its obvious vintage. Best of both worlds! This watch could be styled with various straps to offer different looks, a real unique piece that is sure to be a talking point. The watch is in nice condition given its age. There are some hairline cracks on the upper left-hand side of the dial which are barely visible to the naked eye. It is, however, in good working order and keeps relatively good time having been serviced by our watchmaker recently, and does not come with any limited warranty, largely due to the age of this watch. 

The caseback is marked with 342191.

Case
Silver
Box
No
Dial
White Enamel
Papers
No
Crystal
Plexiglass
Model Ref
Unknown
Winding
Manual
Bracelet
Leather
Movement Type
Mechanical
Condition
Good
Calibre
Unknown
Date of Issue
1914-1918
Jewels
unknown
Warranty
None
Power Reserve
Unknown
Lug Height
39mm
Width
35mm
Lug width
39mm
Wrist Size
Adjustable

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