1917 Waltham Depollier Sterling Silver Trench Watch - Rare 12 O'Clock Crown WWI Era Timepiece

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$917.00

• Details
  1917 Waltham Trench Watch – J. Depollier & Sons Sterling Silver Case – Crown at 12 o’clock – WWI Era Survivor
  
  I want to share with you a rare piece of horological history. This is a sterling silver trench watch made by J. Depollier & Sons, housing a Waltham No. 310 movement from 1917—just one year before the end of the First World War. What makes it even more desirable is the coveted 12 o’clock crown design, a feature that seasoned collectors know is both scarce and highly sought after.
  
  For the new collector, this is the kind of watch that instantly elevates a collection. For the seasoned trench watch enthusiast, this is one of those “hard-to-find” cases that you already know rarely come to market in this condition.
  
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  ✦ The Story Behind Depollier Cases
  
  During the Great War, American watchmakers like Waltham supplied movements that were cased by firms such as J. Depollier & Sons, one of the finest case makers of the era. In late 1917, Depollier introduced innovations like the “double clinched bezel,” designed to keep out dust and moisture—an early attempt at making these field watches more robust for soldiers.
  
  Depollier cases were offered in nickel, sterling silver, solid gold, and even platinum. Sterling silver cases, like this one, were popular for their balance of durability and beauty. Many have been lost or scrapped for their silver value. To find one intact, crisp, and still snapping shut perfectly is a real gift to the horological world.
  
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  ✦ Case Details
  
  • Maker: J. Depollier & Sons
  
  • Material: Solid Sterling Silver (.925)
  
  • Crown: 12 o’clock position – rare, collectible feature
  
  • Size: 31.5mm wide, 10.9mm deep
  
  • Condition: Excellent for its age, with only light wear consistent with over a century of careful ownership
  
  • Strap: Handmade dark olive canvas strap, period correct, stainless steel buckle
  
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  ✦ The Dial
  
  The black military “shadow box” dial has been professionally cleaned and relumed, with luminous numerals and hands restored for safety while preserving the original look. The hands are original and show the lightest oxidation, visible only under magnification—proof of authenticity and originality.
  
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  ✦ The Movement
  
  • Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Co., Massachusetts, USA
  
  • Grade: No. 310
  
  • Model: 1907
  
  • Size: 3/0s
  
  • Jewels: 7
  
  • Serial: 20938757 (1917 production)
  
  • Configuration: Open face, pendant set
  
  • Features: 3/4 plate, Breguet hairspring
  
  • Run quantity: 5,000 (relatively small)
  
  • Service: Fully disassembled, cleaned, and oiled (March 2025)
  
  • Timekeeping: Running strong for its 108 years
  
  This was one of the most dependable grades Waltham made in large numbers, and it served countless soldiers and officers during the war.
  
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  ✦ What is a Trench Watch?
  
  Trench watches were the first true wristwatches. Born in WWI, they took small pocket watch movements (3/0 and 0 size) and adapted them into sturdy wrist cases with fixed wire lugs. This design allowed soldiers to check the time instantly, rather than fumbling for a pocket watch—a simple innovation that changed horology forever.
  
  Common features included:
  
  • Fixed lugs for leather or canvas straps
  
  • Snap-on bezels and hinged backs for quick servicing
  
  • Sterling silver or nickel alloy cases (gold for officers)
  
  • Bold enamel dials with luminous paint for night legibility
  
  This Waltham-Depollier watch checks every one of those boxes—and has survived more than a century in remarkable condition.
  
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  ✦ Why This Watch Matters
  
  • Rare Depollier case – Sterling silver with 12 o’clock crown design
  
  • Original Waltham movement – documented 1917 production, fully serviced
  
  • Exceptional condition – crisp case, original hands, restored dial
  
  • Historical significance – a true WWI-era wristwatch, representing the dawn of modern horology
  
  For the first-time buyer, this is a chance to own an authentic trench watch—something far more meaningful than a modern reproduction. For the experienced collector, this is a scarce example that checks all the right boxes: condition, originality, and historical weight.
  
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  ✦ Final Notes
  
  • Packed with the care of a porcelain doll, fully insured for shipping
  
  • I only ship once per week; please allow up to 14 days if I am traveling
  
  • Not water resistant—these were never designed for the beach. Wear it with care, and it will reward you with another century of history
  
  This is more than just a timepiece—it’s a 108-year-old survivor of the First World War. A watch that may well have been on the wrist of a soldier, an officer, or a civilian in 1917. It has endured world wars, depressions, and generations of change, yet still keeps time today.
  
  For the right collector, this is a watch that will never leave the collection.
• Shipping & Policies

  Shipping from United States

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  1-5 business days

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  I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations

  Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery

  Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery

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