1908 Waltham Armor Guard Trench / WW1 15 Jewel, 0 size in a Nickel Case

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s.


Here is another sublime offering from Vintage Watch Corner. It is a classic 3/0 sized Waltham Trench Watch with my favorite dial, a BOLD military dial that pops on this case. Stark white with bold military numbers, it does not get better than that. Consider the age, 1908! What makes this a real treasure is the "Armor Shield" that is on the watch. This is not a reproduction, this is a authentic guard from WW1.


I love the bold military dial, a true survivor through the years from not being damaged. A classic Trench Watch Dial, with a rare Armor Guard.


I like this watch because of the 14MM black strap that is attached by heavy lugs, so many Trench Watches has small 10 to 12 MM lugs, not this one, bold 14 MM styled lugs to complete this look! It has a nice presence on the wrist.


The restoration includes:


Complete service of movement


Brand New Watch Band


Brand New Crystal


The case was gently polished to bring out the high luster of the case material. The case snaps together like it should. The crown and setting mechanism work beautifully in winding and setting the watch. Not bad for over 100 years young!


Let me share what I know about Trench watches and how they came about. Trench watches were a result of a need in ingenuity in watch making.


You see, trench watches were ladies pocket movements repackaged into watch cases that had fixed wire lugs that leather band / strap threaded through the back


The usual watch movement sizes that were used were 3/0 and 0 sizes. Then within those movement sizes were the jewel counts. The 7 jeweled movement was the most prolific WW1 movement manufactured in numbers, then the 15 Jeweled movement, then 17 jewels and few 19 and 21 jewel. The higher the jeweled count, the higher quality the movement. The movements had serial numbers that would enable the consumer to track its production date, production quantity and specification.


Movement manufacturers: the American manufactures were Waltham, Elgin, Illinois and Hamilton. Waltham and Elgin being the two manufactures who produced the most quantity. Illinois had a short lived history that was distinguished in the watch world.


Here is where the creative thought comes into play. In the early 1910’s the independent jeweler would place an order for a movement, that movement order would be dependent upon social position of the potential buyer. If he was middle class they might order a 7 jewel movement and have it installed in a white or yellow gold filled. If they came from money, they might of order a 17 or 19 jeweled movement and install it in a solid gold case. This approach was the genesis of the wrist watch today.


It is not uncommon to see the same watch movement in a gold filled case, sterling silver case or solid gold case. The case manufactures were Dennison, Philadelphia, Keystone, Wadsworth, BB Royal to name a few. This was the beginning of wrist watches.

What is a “Trench Watch”


What are WW1 or Trench watches? They were created using 3/0 and 0 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist.
They often have some of the following characteristics:


Fixed or Wire Lug: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today’s watches.


Case Material: It or often Solid Gold / Sterling Silver (925) / Silverode / Oresilver or Gold Filled.


*For more practical purposes, a special alloy was developed which went by several different names, such as, “Oresilver” "Silveroid, Silverore, Silverode or Silverine. "Silveroid" appears to have become the standard name for this metal that consisted of 45% nickel, 54% copper and 1% manganese. This metal was fairly hard wearing and could withstand the rigors of everyday use, for instance on the Railroads.


Case Manufactures: There were many case manufacturers that made cases for Trench Watches. Some of the more well know were: Fahys, Fortune, Depollier and Sons, Dennison (English Manufacturer) Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Philadelphia and many more


This style of watch represents the epitome of the WW1 / Trench Watch era of timepieces. To the bold military bright white enamel dial in amazing condition to the highly collectible Oresilver case.


The case has been gently polished, there is no wear through! Another indication that this watch was taken care of:


This Waltham is officially 113 years old this year. This movement was made in 1908! Think about that, 1908, and it is still running.


Measuring from 10-4 o’clock: 31.40MM


Measuring with the crown: 41.10MM, speaking of the crown, what a beautiful design, an oversized crown so the doughboys ( troops on the ground) could change the watch without taking their gloves off!


The watch has a brand new 14MM Oily Leather black open ended band with a highly polished stainless steel buckle that is accented with a period correct white top stitch.


This is a 15 jewel, consider at the time to be a higher quality than the 7 jewel movement, they cost more than the 7 jewel back then as well!


The movement specs are below:

Grade: No. 165

Manufacturer: Waltham

Manufacturer Location: Waltham, Massachusetts

Movement Serial Number: 17594642

Grade: No. 165

Model: 1907

Estimated Production Year: 1908

Run Quantity: 5,000

Total Production: 197,100

Size: 0s

Jewels: 15j

Movement Configuration: Hunting

Movement Finish: Nickel

Movement Setting: Pendant

Plate: 3/4 Plate

Hairspring: Breguet

Adjusted: No


The case has been gently polished to bring out the beauty of Nickel. This offering does not come up for sale too often.


This needs a good home. Will that be you? If you have any questions please ask. If you need additional pictures please ask.


The watch was recently serviced with a new mainspring and cleaning and overhaul. It has run 24 hours without issue since I have received it back.


Think hard about this one. I not sure when you will see another one for sale! I have seen about 5 in three years and I bought two of them!


My service does not end after the sale. I am here before and after to answer any questions of concerns that you may have. My little watch shop is only as good as I present it and back up what I offer. I am proud of what I offer and stand behind all my watches.

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