1911 Elgin English Origin Rare Dennison Cased Hermetic” Trench Watch” stunning Sterling Silver Case. A Hard One to source
$1,001.00
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DetailsHere is the tease: Hard to source English Origin solid Sterling Silver Elgin that is a more difficult to find “Hermetic Case” in stunning condition. Made is 1920! I know the price is high. There are several reasons so you understand why:
it is very difficult to find an Elgin Trench Watch that is housed in. “Dennison” solid Sterling Silver case. You have a rare opportunity to acquire one. there are many Waltham’s available, but this is the only Elgin that I have had in my years of restoration. This is due to the source where I acquired it from. I acquired this from London England earlier this year and had it shipped to me. I knew it was a special treasure.
English Origin.
“Dennison” Hermetic Sterling Silver Case ( extremely hard to source)
Amazing Arabic Numeral dial with the coveted “Red 12”
Exceptional case condition for being 105 years old
Here is another sublime offering from Vintage Watch Corner. While this could be called a “Trench Watch" style, it a rare case. It is a “Hermetic Case” (screw on bezel and case back) WW1 Trench Watch. It is very hard to come by in this condition, especially in Sterling Silvet. There is ZERO wear through on this case. The lugs are heavy and it is a real beauty. 0 size Dennison Hermetic cases are very hard to source. if you are a seasoned or new collector, and you don’t have this in your collection, but, the good keeps coming, this is an English Elgin Hermetic Case in sterling silver. it is the first one I have had in 25+ years of collection.
What makes this so unusual is the threaded bezel and case back, which is not common during this time period. Look how crisp the “coin” bezel is, hardly any wear, this case was taken care of. The case is accented with a beautiful yellow onion crown positioned at 3 o’clock. What a conversation piece to own. This is a real treasure. The case condition evaluation 101:
Look at the coin edge, is it smooth and lack definition or is it crisp and and well defined. This is remarkable in this case because it is sterling silver which wears quickly through the decades of wear.
Examine the lugs carefully, are they bent or appear to be repaired.
Examine the case back inside and out, look for dents, deep,scratches and signs if rough wear. Keep in mind that this watch is over 100 years young
English Hallmarks:
Anchor: Birmingham England Assay Office
“q” stamped letter, indicates 1915
Lion = 925 or 92.5% silver, this case is “Sterling Silver”
ALD. Dennison watch case manufacturing company.
What exactly is a “Trench Watch or WW1 Wrist Watch?
What is a “Trench Watch” ?
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. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases (as described below) to house the movement.
So the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks in to a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection. The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900's.
The movements often came from women pocket watches because the wrist watch as we know was just being discovered. It is not uncommon to see various movements used in different cases, with various years. Remember the wrist watch was just being developed.
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: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver (925) / Silverode or Gold Filled were used. (This case lid snaps snug on the case. This is important to note as many cases were badly damaged by their owners over the past 100 years. This watch case has been taken care of throughout its 100 years, it is in remarkable shape)
*For more practical purposes, a special alloy was developed which went by several different names, such as, "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: Dennison (English Manufacturer) Keystone, Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more
WW1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches.
It has the coveted Elgin English dial. Above the small second hand is printed “Made in USA” . The is a watch intended for the English Market. What a cool rare find!
This is a 0 size, the case measures the following, the 0 cases sizes are more difficult to source, let along this gem among rocks!
Measuring from 10-4 o’clock: 32.20MM
Measuring with the crown: 36.10MM
The watch has a brand new black 14MM opened ended band with a yellow colored colored tang buckle
The movement specs are below:
Manufacturer: Elgin
The case has been gently hand polished to bring out the beauty of sterling silver. This offering does not come up for sale too often. There are some to be found in Silverode, but not too many sterling silver , let alone from England is where this was purchased. Yes, I acquired this watch from London England.
I have completed this on the watch
NOS Crystal
New Band
Comprehensive tear down movement service
Hand polished case
Professionally refinished the dial
New old stock hands
Crystal
Elgin Serial Number : 15452474
Production Year :1911
Size : Os
Jewels : 7 jewels
Grade : 320
Model : 2
Run Quanity 5,000
Total Grade Production : 914,000
Movement Configuration : Hunter Case (wristwatch)
Movement Setting : Pendant Wind and Set
Movement Finish : Gilded
Plate : 3/4 Plate
Barrel : Going Barrel
Adjusted : No
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 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! This the only one I have seen in 2 decades. A Dennison cased Elgin is very rare. Look at the dial, see how it has Elgin and right below that is USA.
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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