Wristwatch, ANZAC, Australia, 1920s
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1920s
Man's trench wristwatch, marked 'ANZAC watch', probably 1920s. Swiss movement and nickel case, presumably with Australian dial. The wristwatch would appear to be an attempt to use the Anzac name to sell watches. The word Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) was quickly controlled from commercial exploitation by government.
In 1916 the Commonwealth Government issued a regulation prohibiting the use of the word for commercial purposes. Some businesses, however, had already started using the word, and sought permission to continue to do so. In 1921 legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament for 'Anzac' to be a proper noun (no longer fully capitalized). Manual, circular white dial with skeleton Arabic numerals, sub-seconds at six, nickel case and replacement brown leather bands.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- nickel
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 35 mm (Outside Diameter)
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Australia
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Dial marked 'ANZAC WATCH' Inside rear case stamped: 360708.
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-1590539
- Museum object name
- Wrist Watch - Trench, 'ANZAC', 1920s
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- HT 25378
- Published references
- Information on use of the word 'Anzac' from the Department of Veterans Affairs web site http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/5environment/anzac/anzac.html, accessed 5/6/2013.
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: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.