Waltham 1917 Trench / WW1 watch, Stunning Roman Numeral "Red" 12, 15 Jewels. English Origin 15 Jewels

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$881.00

• Details
  1918 Waltham English Trench Watch – Roman Numeral Red 12 Dial – Dennison Case
  
  
  I really am a kid at heart. Every time I restore a rare watch like this, I feel that same thrill I had when I first discovered vintage timepieces. Some of these projects take nearly a year to complete, and when one is finally ready, it’s like unwrapping a long-awaited treasure.
  
  
  Over the years on Etsy, I’ve refined my focus. There are many great sellers offering vintage watches, but I want to be different: I specialize in the unusual, the highly collectible, the hard-to-find watches that can be worn, admired, and eventually passed down through generations. Many of my watches are among the earliest wristwatches ever made — dating back to the 1900s.
  
  
  This one is no exception — a true piece of living history.
  
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  ✨ Key Features
  
  • Movement: Waltham Grade 165, 3/0-size, 15 jewels, dating to 1918 (only 1,000 produced in this run)
  
  
  • Dial: Rare Roman Numeral porcelain dial with bold black numerals, crisp sub-seconds, and the coveted red “12” — marked Waltham USA (most were shipped to the UK for assembly during WWI)
  
  
  • Case: English-made Dennison case in sterling silver, 32.10mm across, 37mm lug-to-lug
  
  
  • Band: New 12mm open-ended black strap with yellow buckle (sourced from the UK), fitted to the fixed wire lugs
  
  • Condition: This treasure is 112 years old. It has some light marks as any century-old piece would, but I’ve carefully restored it with respect for originality. The case, lugs, and hinges remain strong and present beautifully.
  
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  🔧 What I’ve Done
  
  
  • Complete teardown service – August 2025
  
  
  • New crystal
  
  
  • Crown and stem adjustment
  
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  📜 A Piece of History
  
  
  Trench Watches were born during WWI (1914–1918), when pocket-watch movements were first adapted into wrist cases. These early wristwatches were practical tools for soldiers — rugged, portable, and essential.
  
  
  Most were made in 0 size movements, this is the more rare 3/0 size. . While common in their day, 3/0-size trench watches in good condition are now very rare — especially with a Roman Red 12 dial and a Dennison case.
  
  This dial reads Waltham USA, a reminder that it was part of a special batch sent to the UK during WWI, then carefully cased in England by Dennison. I acquired it from a respected British collector who was thinning his private collection, and it was an honor to restore it.
  
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  💡 Why This Watch Matters
  
  
  • Rare Roman Red 12 Waltham USA dial — a collector’s dream
  
  
  • Dennison sterling silver case with fixed wire lugs
  
  
  • Low production run: only 1,000 watches in 1918
  
  
  • Fully restored, running, and ready to wear or display
  
  This isn’t just a watch. It’s a 108 year-old survivor of the Great War, a tangible connection to the moment wristwatches were born — and a story that can now continue on your wrist.
  
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  🎁 A Timeless Gift
  
  Whether for a collector, a history lover, or someone you want to give something truly meaningful, this watch is a gift that will be remembered. It carries over a century of life, endurance, and craftsmanship, ready to be cherished for generations.
  
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  🚨 Don’t Wait
  
  This is far from an everyday trench watch. Between the rare Red 12 dial, the sterling Dennison case, and its historical significance, this is the kind of treasure collectors search for years to find. Once it’s gone, it may be decades before another surfaces.
  
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  👉 Photos are part of the story — please study them closely. I’m happy to answer questions or share additional images.
  
  📦 Ships every Wednesday with secure packaging and tracking.
• Shipping & Policies

  Shipping from United States

  Processing time

  1-5 business days

  Customs and import taxes

  Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.

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  • Accepts Etsy gift cards

  Returns & Exchanges

  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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Conditions of return

Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

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