Authentic 1919 Swiss Trench Watch 15 Jewels, Sterling Silver Case.

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$1,093.00

• Details
  As you read this description, I want you to transport yourself to 1919. This very early wristwatch was the creation of the wrist watch. AKA, the WW1 / Trench Watch. This offering is exactly that. It is called a “Half Hunter” style. The front cover protects the exposed crystal from damage out in the field. The release button is located at approximately seven o’clock on the case, When pushed? the top cover opens exposing the luminous dial and hands. a marvelous design feature.
  
  
  This treasure has had a complete mechanical overhaul.
  
  Two new crystals
  
  Hand Polished
  
  New Bund open ended watch band
  
  Professional dial and hand refinishing
  
  
  
  This listing is the epitome of,the classic Trench Watch. The difference between English Trench Watches and Swiss Trench Watches is that the Swiss designed, engineered, manufactured, tested all their own products.
  
  This watch is a hard-to-find watch. It was never meant to sell in the USA. This watch was developed, manufactured, assembled and finished in Switzerland. I acquired it from the Netherlands.
  
  This case is designed and developed with a well-known case manufacturing partner. George Stockerll. Borgel, a giant among the horological watch industry at that time. His stamp in present that is stamped inside the case back.
  
  Let’s summarize this listing. This is a rare find due to, its condition of being 106 years old. The case has been manufactured by the venerable watch case company a leader in innovation, design and execution in the early wrist watch, this is no exception. The case is stamped 935, that translates to the purity of the silver at 93.5% silver.
  The front and rear case lids open at 90 degree angles, this usually means the watch was taken care of it’s it long lifetime. The crown jewel of this offering is the dial and hands, bright white, crisp and in premium condition, it is a real honor to present one so clean for you.
  
  Stamp Explanation :
  
  GS Case Manufacturer
  935 stamp. This is silver purity; it means the watch case is 93.5% Sterling Silver
  “u” stamp = 1919
  
  Trench Watch Movement
  
  The start of the first world war in 1914 signalled some major changes to the Swiss watch industry. The need to be able to tell the time quickly and easily in the trenches without fumbling for a pocket watch meant that wristwatch use and production rose rapidly and the poor conditions that a watch was liable to meet also meant that water and moisture resistance became more important. La Générale appears to have started to specialise in watches with this type of protection around this time.
  
  They had actually developed a screw case, swing ring, pocket watch with water resistant properties by 1903 and during the war a large percentage of their wristwatches were of the hunter or half hunter types that included a hinged lid to protect the face of the watch from damage. They also provided adapted pocket watches for use in German aircraft cockpits and sold watches under the brand names Kitchener and Les Poilus (a nickname for French troops) in allied countries.
  
  Double Case Back Covers
  
  Here's a more detailed explanation:
  
  Why two covers.
  
  This is where a case has a jointed (hinged) back that opens to reveal an inner back or cover, sometimes called a "cuvette", which is itself can be also be opened to reveal the movement.
  
  This case design goes back to watches that were wound from the back, and some set from the back, with a key. Each time the watch needed to be wound or have the time set, the back was opened and a key with a hollow square end was applied to a square end on either the mainspring barrel arbor and turned to wind the mainspring, or to a square on a friction post that ran through the centre arbor and carried the minute hand and was turned to set the hands.
  
  Double-Hinged Case:
  
  This design features a case back that opens in two sections, with a hinged inner back. This inner back is often hallmarked and may have the serial number of the watch etched on it.
  
  
  Protection:
  The double-hinged case provided extra protection for the watch movement from dust, moisture, and potential damage.
  
  
  Historical Context:
  Trench watches were developed during World War I as a practical alternative to pocket watches for military personnel. They were designed to be easily readable and durable, making them a vital tool for timekeeping in the trenches.
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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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