Swiss WW1 Sterling Silver Trench Watch c.1916
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1916-1917
This First World War era officer's trench watch dates to circa 1916–1917, featuring a solid .925 sterling silver case assayed in London with the 'GS' hallmark of import sponsor Stockwell & Company.
The round case features fixed wire lugs mounted to a brown leather bund strap, a ridged bezel, and a brass winding crown. Its white dial displays outlined Arabic numerals with a red numeral at 12 o'clock, cathedral hands with intact luminous filler, a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, and an outer railway minute track.
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
- Lugs
- Fixed wire lugs
- Type
- Military & trench watch
- Case Material
- .925 Sterling Silver
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Importer / Sponsor
- Stockwell & Company
- Maker / attribution
- Stockwell & Company
- Hallmark Date Letter
- A (1916–1917)
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The watch features a white ceramic dial with Arabic numerals and a distinct red '12' at the 12 o'clock position. The dial includes an outer chapter ring that intersects a subsidiary seconds sub-register at 6 o'clock. The watch is fitted with cathedral-style hour and minute hands described as having intact luminous compound.
- Visible features
- • White dial with outlined Arabic numerals and a distinct red '12'. • Cathedral hour and minute hands filled with pale luminous compound. • Subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock, intersecting the inner chapter ring and numerals. • Round silver case with a fine coin-edge or ridged bezel and brass winding crown. • Fixed wire lugs fitted to a thick dark brown leather bund strap.
- Case and Provenance
- This trench watch features a .925 sterling silver case, which includes a ridged bezel and fixed wire lugs. The watch was imported into the UK by Stockwell & Company, serving as a British assay agent for Swiss-made watches. The case features hallmarks including a 'U' and cross, signifying London registration, and an 'A' hallmark indicating the watch was assayed between 1916 and 1917.
- Condition and Limitations
- The case back displays faintly hand-etched initials and a reported tiny solder repair on the edge. The technical specifications, including the movement caliber, are provided by the source, though these components are not visible in the provided imagery. The watch is recorded as having a manual winding movement and a plexiglass crystal.
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: Stockwell & Company was the UK import and assay agent, not the movement or watch manufacturer.
- Research required: Source reports internal movement caliber and case back hallmarks, which are not visible in the provided image.
- Research required: Source notes faint hand-etched initials on the case back and a possible tiny solder repair on the case edge.