Buren WW1 Military Wristlet Trench Watch in Rolex Silver Case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1916
The source reports this First World War era military wristlet trench watch combines a Buren mechanical movement, black Buren dial, and original Buren hands with a silver hunter-style case signed Rolex.
Stamped hallmarks date the case to 1916. The watch measures 35 mm in diameter, 42 mm from lug to lug, and has a 16 mm lug width. The source presents this piece as an atypical assembly, speculating it represents wartime parts substitution or later re-casing. The back displays a coin-edge reeded periphery with surface scratching across the central disk.
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
- Winding
- Manual
- Lug Width
- 16mm
- Case Width
- 35mm
- Lug Height
- 42mm
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Dial Description
- Black Buren dial
- Case Hallmark Date
- 1916
- Maker / attribution
- Buren
- Case Style and Signature
- Signed Rolex front opening Hunter style case
Design
- Visible features
- • Silver case back shows an outer coin-edge reeding encircling a plain central brushed dome. • Central case back shows visible fine scratches and wear consistent with age. • Straight wire lugs secure a brown leather strap fitted with polished metallic clamp clips. • Fluted winding crown located at the 3 o'clock position on the case flank.
- Case Architecture and Exterior Form
- The watch is encased in silver and described by the source as a front-opening hunter-style case marked Rolex and bearing hallmarks dated to 1916. Dimensions recorded by the vendor list a case width of 35 mm, a lug height of 42 mm, and a lug width of 16 mm. A fluted winding crown is positioned on the case flank at 3 o'clock. Observation of the enclosed case back reveals an outer coin-edge reeded periphery encircling a plain brushed dome, accompanied by straight wire lugs that secure a brown leather strap fitted with polished metallic clamp clips. Fine scratches and surface wear are visibly present across the central disc of the silver case back.
- Reported Movement and Dial Assembly
- The vendor characterizes the timepiece as an atypical hybrid combining components from distinct makers. The listing reports a manual-wind mechanical Buren movement paired with a black Buren dial and original Buren hands, while noting the calibre designation, jewel count, and power reserve as unknown ("U/K"). Because only the exterior case back is visible in the provided photograph, internal movement details, dial appearance, crystal material (recorded by the seller as plexiglass), and inner case stamps cannot be verified from the image. The seller hypothesizes that the mixed components reflect wartime parts pooling, contract assembly, or later re-casing.
- Military Context and Provenance Limitations
- The source markets the piece as a "WW1 Military Issued Buren", offering speculative scenarios such as British War Office procurement or MoD repair depot re-casing for a damaged trench watch. The listing also notes that neither the original box nor papers are present. No specific military property markings, War Department broad arrows, or service records are documented in the source text or visible on the external case back. The assertion of official military issue therefore remains an unconfirmed seller claim rather than verified provenance.
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 dial, movement, and interior case markings are not visible in the provided case-back photograph.
- Research required: The movement calibre and jewel count are recorded as unknown by the source.
- Research required: Source-reported military issue is speculative and based on period context rather than military broad arrow or ordnance stamps.