Anonymous Dial Officers Trench Watch in 9k Gold Case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1915
This early 20th-century manual-wind trench wristwatch dates to circa 1915 and is cased in 9k gold measuring 31 mm in diameter. Fitted with wire lugs and an onion-style crown, the watch features an unsigned white enamel dial displaying black Roman numerals, a red numeral XII, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
The hinged case back reveals an unsigned 15-jewel mechanical movement with an index regulator. The inner case back bears the sponsor mark 'AK', attributed by the seller as possibly referring to English case maker Arthur Kenneth.
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
- 14mm
- Case Width
- 31mm
- Case Material
- 9k Gold
- Dial Features
- White enamel with red XII and sub-seconds
- Case Maker Mark
- AK
- Movement Jewels
- 15j
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The watch features a white enamel dial designed with black Roman numeral hour markers and a contrasting red numeral at XII. Time is indicated via blued steel hands alongside a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. The dial is unsigned by any brand or retailer, presenting an anonymous layout characteristic of many trench watches from this period.
- Visible features
- • Hinged case back opened to show the manual-wind movement and internal case finish • Visible winding wheels, balance wheel with regulator pointing between 'R' and 'S', and jewelled pivot settings • Fluted onion-style crown located at the 3 o'clock position • Fitted with fixed wire lugs accommodating a brown leather strap
- Movement and Listing Conditions
- The manual-wind mechanical movement is unsigned, with an unknown calibre recorded as containing 15 jewels. Visual inspection shows visible winding wheels, jewelled pivot settings, and an index regulator pointing between 'R' and 'S'. The watch is dated by the seller to circa 1915 and is offered for sale as seen on behalf of a collector's family. The seller notes that its service history is unknown and that it is sold unserviced without warranty unless separate servicing is arranged.
- Case Construction and Hallmarking
- The timepiece is cased in solid 9ct gold with an overall diameter of 31 mm, a lug height of 33 mm, and fixed wire lugs measuring 14 mm in width. It features a fluted, flat onion-style crown at the 3 o'clock position and is fitted with a hinged case back opening to reveal the movement. The listing specifies a plexiglass crystal and a brown leather strap. Internally, the case back is signed with the mark 'AK'. The seller suggests this hallmark may refer to Arthur Kenneth, whom they describe as a lesser-documented English case maker of the period, though this attribution remains unverified.
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: The maker of the movement and dial is completely anonymous and unsigned
- Research required: The seller's attribution of the 'AK' sponsor mark to Arthur Kenneth is unconfirmed speculation
- Research required: Internal hallmarks on the inner case back are obscured by reflection in the photograph