1935 WW1/Trench Watch Styled. 3/0 Rare English Sterling Silver Dennison Hermetic Case, 21 Jewels, Military Shadow Box Dial

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$701.00

• Details
  A RARE 1935 WALTHAM RIVERSIDE IN DENNISON “HERMETIC” CASE
  — A Time Capsule of Anglo-American Watchmaking —
  
  This isn’t just a watch — it’s a time capsule from an era when wristwatches were beginning to redefine personal timekeeping. Offered here is a rare English Waltham Trench Watch, featuring a coveted Dennison “Hermetic” sterling silver case and housing a 21-jewel Waltham Riverside movement dating to 1935.
  
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  🔧 Waltham × Dennison: A Transatlantic Collaboration
  
  This piece reflects a remarkable partnership between two industry legends:
  
  • Waltham Watch Co. of Massachusetts — renowned for precision and industrial innovation.
  
  • Dennison Watch Case Co. of Birmingham — the finest English case maker of its era.
  
  In the early 20th century, due to British import restrictions, Waltham shipped uncased movements to the UK, where they were fitted into British-made cases by local jewelers. This example is a rare survivor — even rarer in a Dennison Hermetic case, in the uncommon 3/0 size.
  
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  🕰 Movement Details
  
  • Grade: Waltham Riverside
  
  • Serial Number: 28750870
  
  • Date: 1935 (Model 1907)
  
  • Size: 3/0 (rarer than the standard 0-size)
  
  • Jewels: 21
  
  • Construction: 3/4 plate, nickel finish, Breguet hairspring
  
  • Setting: Pendant-set
  
  • Condition: Professionally serviced in June 2025 — complete teardown, running strong.
  
  Why it matters:
  
  The Riverside was Waltham’s high-grade workhorse, produced over 60 years in over two dozen variations. By the 1930s, it had evolved into a precise, jeweled, and durable movement — and this 21-jewel version is among the finest of its kind.
  
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  🧊 Case Details
  
  • Maker: Dennison Watch Case Co.
  
  • Model: “Hermetic”
  
  • Material: Solid Sterling Silver
  
  • British Hallmarks:
  
  • Lion Passant – Sterling Silver (.925)
  
  • Anchor – Birmingham Assay Office
  
  • Date Letter “D” – 1928
  
  • Design: Screw-on bezel and caseback — offering advanced dust resistance
  
  • Diameter: 32.5mm (38mm including crown)
  
  • Weight: Substantial, overbuilt silver construction — far heavier than typical trench cases
  
  • Condition: Refinished and hand-polished; light wear and a few small case nibbles remain — adding character without compromising integrity
  
  Note on the Hermetic Case:
  
  These are far less common than snap-fit or hinged trench cases. The threaded design not only offered superior protection but also added cost and complexity — which makes them a collector’s favorite today.
  
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  🎯 Dial & Hands
  
  • Dial: Enamel military-style “shadow box” dial
  
  • Lume: Vintage-style restoration with aged lume aesthetic
  
  • Hands: Restored blued-steel hands, period-correct and striking
  
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  🎽 Strap
  
  • Type: Custom open-ended black leather
  
  • Size: 12mm
  
  • Buckle: Stainless steel tang buckle
  
  • Condition: Brand new, unworn
  
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  🎖 Why This Watch Stands Out
  
  • Uncommon 3/0 Movement Size: Most trench watches were built around 0-size movements — this smaller 3/0 size offers a sleeker profile and enhanced rarity.
  
  • Desirable Hermetic Case: Screw-thread bezel and back for superior environmental protection — rare, expensive to produce, and highly collectible.
  
  • Confirmed British Provenance: Hallmarks verify its life in the UK — and it still wears that history proudly.
  
  • Fully Serviced: Ready for wear, collection, or display — with peace of mind for years to come.
  
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  📜 Trench Watch History — A Soldier’s Companion
  
  Born in the trenches of WWI, these watches marked a revolutionary shift in timekeeping. As soldiers needed quick, reliable access to time, pocket watch movements were adapted into rugged wristwatches. Jewelers offered customizable builds — pairing high-grade movements with durable, locally made cases.
  
  Each trench watch was a unique configuration. Few survive in fully restored, wearable condition — and even fewer in premium-grade Hermetic cases like this one.
  
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  🧭 Final Thoughts
  
  This isn’t just a vintage watch.
  
  It’s a piece of horological and military history — a tangible legacy of an Anglo-American alliance in craftsmanship.
  
  The Dennison Hermetic case alone often sells for $400–$500 in good condition — and this offering goes far beyond that, with a complete, running, professionally serviced package.
  
  I specialize in sourcing and restoring meaningful timepieces. Every watch is fully tested (this one underwent a 48-hour stress test) and backed by personal support throughout your purchase.
  
  Have questions? Need more photos? Just ask — I’m here to help.
  
  Own something few others ever will.
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