1918 Elgin 3/0 7 Jewel Sterling Silver Trench Watch, Beautiful Early Military Watch

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$821.00

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• Details
  A Timepiece Worn by History
  
  Imagine wearing a watch that once whispered the hours through the trenches of the First World War. This is that very feeling. The Elgin Trench Watch, serial number 20379932, is not just a timepiece – it is a witness to history, a silent companion through decades of life, and now, a story waiting for its next chapter.
  
  ✨ Emotional Appeal
  
  This watch carries the echoes of an era when time meant everything: for planning, for hope, for survival. Every tick is a tribute to the hands that wound it, the moments it marked, and the lives it touched.
  
  On your wrist, it becomes more than accessory—it becomes a living legacy. A reminder that time endures, even when moments fade.
  
  Whether you’re a collector, a history-lover, or simply someone who appreciates the craftsmanship of another age, this watch invites you to pause, to reflect, to anchor the present in the reverent past.
  
  📜 History & Provenance
  
  Manufactured by the renowned Elgin National Watch Company of Elgin, Illinois — a company whose production reached 50 million jeweled watches by 1951.
  Elgin Watch
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  Trench watches — like this one — were born of necessity: wristwatches adapted from pocket watches to serve soldiers in WWI when pocket timepieces were no longer practical.
  Wikipedia
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  Using serial-number databases and known production records, this example aligns with Elgin’s early 20th-century output.
  Waterstone Watches
  
  Over a century later, this watch stands as a tangible bridge between the past and your wrist.
  
  🔧 Technical Specification & Condition
  
  Movement Details:
  
  Manufacturer: Elgin National Watch Company
  
  Location: Elgin, Illinois, USA
  
  Serial Number: 20379932
  
  Grade: 417
  
  Model: 2
  
  Estimated Production Year: 1918
  
  Run Quantity: 5,000
  
  Total Grade Production: 130,000
  
  Size: 3/0s
  
  Jewels: 7
  
  Configuration: Hunting
  
  Movement Finish: Nickel
  
  Setting: Pendant-set
  
  Plate: 3/4 Plate
  
  Double Roller: Yes
  
  Barrel: Going
  
  Balance Type: Expansion
  
  Balance Jewel Material: Ruby
  
  Train: Quick train
  
  Regulator: Plain
  
  Hairspring: Breguet
  
  Dial Type: Single-sunk enamel dial
  
  Adjusted: No
  
  
  Movement by Elgin – mechanical (manual-wind) movement typical of trench watches of the era.
  
  
  Dial: period enamel dial, distinctive design, original blued steel hands typical of the era.
  
  Condition: Please add your specific condition here — e.g., case shows gentle wear consistent with age, crystal replaced or original, dial with minor hairlines, movement running strong / recently serviced, strap new or vintage.
  
  Size: These watches tend to measure approx. 30-35 mm (excluding crown); lug width about 12-16 mm.
  
  Wearability: While vintage, it’s fully wearable and ready to bring character to modern wear — but as with all antique watches: treat it with respect (no diving, no heavy shock, keep away from moisture).
  
  📌 Why This Piece Is Unique
  
  A genuine piece of wrist-worn history: not a modern homage, but a true trench watch created under the context of early wrist-watch evolution.
  
  A heritage brand recognized for precision, widely collected.
  
  A conversation starter: on your wrist you carry more than a watch, you carry a piece of collective memory — something most modern watches simply cannot match.
  
  Limited in number: trench watches were a transitional design and relatively fewer survive in good condition today.
  
  📝 Important Notes for the Buyer
  
  As with all vintage mechanical watches, regular servicing is advisable. It is not recommended for rough sports, intense moisture, or daily wear without care.
  
  Wear/resale value depends significantly on condition, originality (dial, hands, case), and documented servicing.
  
  Strap shown in images may be a modern replacement; original straps are rarely preserved.
  
  Buyer is encouraged to verify movement serial, grade, and condition (opening caseback by a qualified watchmaker/watch enthusiast) for full provenance.
  
  👁️ Visuals
  Please review the attached high-resolution photographs showing:
  
  Dial face (close up of numerals, hands, lume)
  
  Case front and back (including lug design, crown, case-back hallmarks or engravings)
  
  If you’ve been waiting for something that blends elegance, history, and emotional resonance — this Elgin Trench Watch 20379932 is your opportunity. Questions are welcomed: I can provide additional photos, condition details, servicing history, and any provenance I have.
  
  Thank you for considering this beautiful piece of time-keeping heritage.
• Shipping & Policies

  Shipping from United States

  Processing time

  3-5 business days

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  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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  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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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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