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

£495.00 GBP
vws0628

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.

Additional information

Made from

Case: Silver

Dial: White Enamel

Crystal: Plexiglass

Bracelet: Leather


Technical specifications

Winding: Manual

Movement Type: Mechanical hand-wound

Caliber: Unknown Swiss Made

Jewels: Unknown

Waterproof: No

Power reserve: Unknown

Purchase details

Condition: Good for age!

Model Reference Number: Trench

Date of issue: c.WW1

Guarantee: None! Sold As Is

Dimensions

Width: 35mm

Lug width: 14.5mm

Lug height: (lug to lug) 39mm

Wrist size: Adjustable