Anonymous Dial Borgel Case Gold Officer's Trench Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c.1915
Dating to circa 1915 according to the source, this officer's trench wristwatch features an unsigned white dial fitted in a yellow gold case attributed to casemaker François Borgel.
The dial displays stylized Arabic Breguet numerals with a contrasting blue numeral 12, an outer track for minutes, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The circular gold case measures 34.55 mm across and 38.54 mm in lug height, accented with a reeded bezel and an oversized winding crown at 3 o'clock. Fitted with articulated lugs and a 12 mm leather strap, the watch is powered by a manual-wind mechanical movement of unidentified calibre.
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
- Type
- Trench watch
- Lug Width
- 12 mm
- Case Maker
- François Borgel
- Case Material
- Yellow gold
- Dial Features
- White dial with Breguet numerals and blue 12
- Movement Type
- Mechanical manual wind
- Case Dimensions
- Width 34.55 mm, lug height 38.54 mm
Design
- Visible features
- • Reeded coin-edge bezel encircling the dial • Prominent oversized winding crown at the 3 o'clock position • Openwork skeletonized hour and minute hands • Recessed subsidiary seconds dial with slight surface discoloration and fine hand at 6 o'clock • Articulated wire-style lugs attaching to a dark brown leather strap
- Dial and Visual Design
- The timepiece features a white dial detailed with Arabic Breguet numerals and a contrasting blue numeral 12. A printed outer minute track surrounds the periphery, with running seconds monitored via a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. Visual inspection notes openwork skeletonized hands for the hours and minutes, paired with a slender seconds hand in the subdial. Minor discoloration is present on the surface of the subsidiary seconds register, though the remainder of the dial and its numerical indexes remain intact.
- Case Architecture and Construction
- The case is crafted in yellow gold, measuring 34.55 mm in width and 38.54 mm in lug height, and is attributed by the seller to casemaker François Borgel. It features a circular form accented by decorative reeded detailing along the bezel. Articulated wire-style lugs with a 12 mm lug width secure the watch to a leather strap. Manual winding and adjustment are handled through an oversized crown situated at the 3 o'clock position.
- Technical Specifications and Documentation Gaps
- The watch is fitted with a manual-wind mechanical movement; however, the calibre designation, jewel count, and power reserve are unrecorded in the source documentation. Internal caseback stamps and movement plates are not visible in the provided records, leaving the movement maker and specific gold purity unverified. The seller assigns an approximate date of circa 1915 and notes that the piece is offered without original box or papers. Because the dial is unsigned, the manufacturer responsible for final assembly is not identified.
Identification
- 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: Movement calibre and jewel count are unrecorded and not visible in the provided image
- Research required: The dial is unsigned, leaving the movement maker and final watch manufacturer unidentified