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Silver World War I - Trench Style Watch with Screw Front and Back Case - with Silver Swiss Hallmark

£475.00GBP
vws0629

A WWI Trench Style Watch with Screw Back Case in excellent condition, rather rare and very collectible. 

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 0.935 Sterling silver Swiss marked, trench style watch with a white enamel dial, crisp Arabic numerals with the 12 o'clock in red, and a seconds subdial. The elegant pointed lollipop hands, textured screw type bezel and oversized 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 of over 100 years!  There is a hairline crack between 11 and 1, which is barely visible to the naked eye and the makers/retailers branding on the dial is no longer legible as it has faded! It is however, in good working order and keeps relatively good time but has not been serviced and does not come with any warranty! 

Additional information

Made from

Case: Silver

Dial: Enamel

Crystal: Plexi

Bracelet: Leather


Technical specifications

Winding: Manual

Movement type: Mechanical hand-wound

Caliber: Swiss made, unknown

Jewels: Unknown

Waterproof: No

Power reserve: 

Purchase details

Condition: Very Good 

Model Reference Number:

Date of issue: c.1900s

Guarantee: None

Dimensions

Width: 33.5mm

Lug width: 11.4mm

Lug height: (lug to lug) 

Wrist size:  Adjustable