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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Trench watch

1916 Zenith Signal Corps USA Trench Watch

Partially verified

This 1916 Zenith wristwatch is designed in the style of the Signal Corps US military trench watches from the World War I era. The watch features an oxidized nickel case with fixed strap bars and an onion-style crown. The white enamel dial is marked "Signal Corps" and "Zenith," and includes large, lumed Arabic-numeral hour markers, which have aged to a yellow tone, along with a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The blued cathedral hands contain lume that is reported to have been restored. The watch is powered by a movement of unknown service history and is supplied on a green canvas and pigskin bund-style strap with a brown bakelite tang buckle. The auction description notes the model was produced as a result of a United States Army Signal Corps call for a specialized wristwatch.

Front view of the 1916 Zenith Signal Corps USA trench watch showing the enamel dial, blued cathedral hands, and subsidiary seconds dial.
Front view of the 1916 Zenith Signal Corps USA trench watch showing the enamel dial, blued cathedral hands, and subsidiary seconds dial. — Craft & Tailored. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
craftandtailored.com
Category
Wristwatch · Trench watch
Maker / attribution
Zenith
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ZTSGCUSA
Source-reported date
1916
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
48XXXXX

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch is housed in an oxidized nickel case, measuring 35 millimeters in diameter. It features fixed strap bars and an onion-style winding crown, consistent with military-style trench watches of the era. The case is described by the source as being in exceptional condition with minimal signs of wear.

The dial is constructed from white enamel and remains clean without notable cracks. It is inscribed with "Signal Corps" and "Zenith." Large Arabic numerals have aged to a dusty yellow hue, with visible lume loss on the 11 and 12 markers. The cathedral-style hands are blued and contain lume, which the source suggests may have been restored.

Evidence for this section
  • “The original oxidized nickel case with fixed strap bars is in exceptional condition”
  • “The gorgeous "Signal Corps USA" enamel dial is in remarkable condition”
  • “The blued cathedral hands are also in amazing condition with lume that appears to have been painted to match the dial.”

Historical Context and Specification

The timepiece originated from a request by the United States Army Chief Signal Officer during the First World War. The Signal Corps required a wristwatch specifically for military use, specifying high-quality workmanship, a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, and an included wristlet. Zenith was among seven Swiss brands identified in the documentation as having participated in meeting these requirements.

The "Signal Corps USA" marking serves as an identifier for this specific military provenance.

Evidence for this section
  • “At the time, the US Army's Chief Signal Officer put out the call for a wristwatch designed specifically for the Signal Corps.”

Condition and Accessories

The watch is currently operational, although the source states that its service history is unknown. It is sold with a green canvas and pigskin bund-style strap, which incorporates a brown bakelite tang buckle. No further accessories are included with the watch.

The dial and hands appear to have had their luminous material refreshed at some point.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is running, but the service history is unknown.”
  • “The lume on the dial and hands was likely restored at some point in the past, as this was common practice by military watchmakers to maintain the functionality of the watch.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement caliber used within this 1916 Zenith Signal Corps model?
  • Are there archival records from Zenith that confirm the production volume of the Signal Corps models for the U.S. Army?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1916 Zenith Signal Corps USA Trench Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
BrandZenith“Brand Zenith”
Case MaterialOxidized Nickel“Material Oxidized Nickel”
DialWhite Enamel“Dial White Enamel”
Serial Number48XXXXX“Serial 48XXXXX”
StrapGreen Canvas & Pigskin Bund-Style“Strap Green Canvas & Pigskin Bund-Style Strap W/ Bakelite Tang Buckle”
Watch Diameter35mm“Millimeters 35”
CrownOnion-style“The onion-style crown appears to be original to the watch.”
MovementRunning condition with unknown service history“The watch is running, but the service history is unknown.”

Visible details

  • Lume loss visible on the 11 and 12 o'clock numerals
  • Subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock
  • Fixed strap bars on the oxidized nickel case
  • Onion-style winding crown attached to the case

Research qualifications

  • The source indicates that the lume on the dial and hands was likely restored in the past.
  • The auction description reports that the service history of the movement is unknown.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی نظامی Zenith مدل Signal Corps. USA Trench Watch ۱۹۱۶

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record d09ebd7641

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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