1916 Zenith Signal Corps USA Trench Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1916
Maker / issuer
ZenithThis 1916 Zenith wristwatch is designed in the style of the Signal Corps US military trench watches from the World War I era. The watch features an oxidized nickel case with fixed strap bars and an onion-style crown.
The white enamel dial is marked "Signal Corps" and "Zenith," and includes large, lumed Arabic-numeral hour markers, which have aged to a yellow tone, along with a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The blued cathedral hands contain lume that is reported to have been restored. The watch is powered by a movement of unknown service history and is supplied on a green canvas and pigskin bund-style strap with a brown bakelite tang buckle.
The auction description notes the model was produced as a result of a United States Army Signal Corps call for a specialized wristwatch.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- White Enamel
- Type
- Trench watch
- Brand
- Zenith
- Crown
- Onion-style
- Strap
- Green Canvas & Pigskin Bund-Style
- Movement
- Running condition with unknown service history
- Case Material
- Oxidized Nickel
- Serial Number
- 48XXXXX
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Watch Diameter
- 35mm
- Maker / attribution
- Zenith
Design
- Visible features
- • Lume loss visible on the 11 and 12 o'clock numerals • Subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock • Fixed strap bars on the oxidized nickel case • Onion-style winding crown attached to the case
- Case and Dial Design
- The watch is housed in an oxidized nickel case, measuring 35 millimeters in diameter. It features fixed strap bars and an onion-style winding crown, consistent with military-style trench watches of the era. The case is described by the source as being in exceptional condition with minimal signs of wear. The dial is constructed from white enamel and remains clean without notable cracks. It is inscribed with "Signal Corps" and "Zenith." Large Arabic numerals have aged to a dusty yellow hue, with visible lume loss on the 11 and 12 markers. The cathedral-style hands are blued and contain lume, which the source suggests may have been restored.
- Condition and Accessories
- The watch is currently operational, although the source states that its service history is unknown. It is sold with a green canvas and pigskin bund-style strap, which incorporates a brown bakelite tang buckle. No further accessories are included with the watch. The dial and hands appear to have had their luminous material refreshed at some point.
- Historical Context and Specification
- The timepiece originated from a request by the United States Army Chief Signal Officer during the First World War. The Signal Corps required a wristwatch specifically for military use, specifying high-quality workmanship, a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, and an included wristlet. Zenith was among seven Swiss brands identified in the documentation as having participated in meeting these requirements. The "Signal Corps USA" marking serves as an identifier for this specific military provenance.
Identification
- Serial number
- 48XXXXX
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The source indicates that the lume on the dial and hands was likely restored in the past.
- Research required: The auction description reports that the service history of the movement is unknown.