SOLD! Officers WW1 Trench Silver watch, Officers watch, WWI Officers watch, Trench watch, Rare Trench watch,Battle of the "Flanders Fields,"
The watch came from someone whose great grandfather was serving as an officer in WWI fighting in the "Flanders Fields,"- it deserves a lots of respect!
During the Great War, many jewellers and retailers advertised watches that were intended to appeal to military men and which were often called or referred to as "Service" watches. It was quickly realised that a watch with luminous hands and numbers was essential for an officer in the trenches, it allowed the time to be checked in low light or in the dark without using a light that could have attracted a shot from an enemy sniper.
Every one of the young lieutenants who blew his whistle and scrambled out of a trench to lead his company of men towards enemy fire was wearing a wristwatch; a trench watch.
The trench watch shown here is typical of an officer's watch from the Great War.(World War I.) The most important features are the luminous dial and unbreakable glass.(On this exemplar probably the crystal has been changed.)
The vitreous enamel dial has skeleton Arabic numerals and skeleton hands called “poire squelette” to take radium based luminous paint.
A little history:
The Great War began as a war of movement, with the opposite sides trying to outflank each other during late 1914 in the so-called “race to the sea”. Once the coast was reached in Northern France and there was no possibility of either side outmanoeuvring the other, it changed into a static war as the opposing sides dug into trenches. In the trenches activity continued day and night, and attacks were generally started in the early morning darkness to take the other side by surprise. Wristwatches made before the war did not have luminous dials, but it quickly became apparent that a luminous dial was a necessity for an officer's wristwatch in the dark confines of the trenches.
Swiss manufacturers were far and away the largest makers of smaller movements before the Great War war, and had been trying the market with wristwatches before the outbreak of the war, were in an ideal position to capitalise on the demand for wristwatches. Although initially short of skilled labour as men were called up into the Swiss army at the outbreak of the war, they were soon able to ramp up production and produced many thousands of wristwatches throughout the period of the war.
Original military numerals and and original set of skeleton hands called “poire squelette” .
Details:
Swiss Made.
Model: Officer's Trench watch.
Year: circa 1915.
Watch case Material: 0,900 Silver. Hallmarked.
Waterproof: Not tested. No Guarantee.
Dimensions: 32mm without the crown x 32mm.
Caliber:Hand Winding,
Bracelet/Strap: Nato Military. Black. Nylon.
Box/Papers: No.
Condition:
This Antique Officer's Trench Silver watch is in good vintage cosmetic condition with signs of age and use and the movement is in working order. (Actually, to my surprise it is holding pretty exact time.) However, the movement should be cleaned by a watchmaker as I don't know the last service date.
The glass is clear and is probably a replacement. All the other watch parts are original. This is a very special timepiece and it is over a 110 years old in still an amazing condition.
(For details please see pictures as they are the part of the description.) Last service date is not known and by all vintage watches is recommended.As with any watch this age I cannot guarantee ongoing operation without a professional cleaning and oiling.
Great Historical Watch!
Please note that transportation of antique watches may influences its working condition and advised to bring it to your watchmaker upon arrival for a check up.
Customs duties in your own country may apply. This item will be packed very well and will be shipped insured.
If you have any questions please send me a note. Thanks!
062035980 /16