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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Trench watch

Anonymous Dial WW1 Military Trench Watch

Partially verified

This early twentieth-century manual-wind wristwatch is configured in the First World War trench watch style. The round white metal case measures 34 mm in diameter excluding the crown, featuring soldered wire lugs with a 13 mm spacing and a 38 mm lug-to-lug length. An unsigned white enamel dial displays black stylized Arabic numerals, an accented red numeral 12, blued spade hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The seller reports manual mechanical operation, though the movement calibre, jewel count, and specific manufacturer remain unrecorded.

Oblique wrist view showing the dial, blued hands, wire lugs, and onion-style crown
Oblique wrist view showing the dial, blued hands, wire lugs, and onion-style crown — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Wristwatch · Trench watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
VWS3092
Source-reported date
c. 1914
Country
Not established

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 Configuration

This trench-style wristwatch is configured with a white metal case measuring 34 mm in diameter, excluding the onion-style crown. It features soldered wire lugs with a 13 mm spacing and a lug-to-lug length of 38 mm.

While the source states a belief that the case is solid silver, it explicitly notes that no identifying hallmarks are present to confirm this composition, classifying the case material as white metal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Width (without crown) 34mm”
  • “Lug width 13mm”
  • “Lug height (lug to lug) 38mm”
  • “Case white metal”
  • “Encased in solid silver we believe but we have been unable to identify any hallmarks stating so.”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a contrasting red '12'. The handset consists of blued steel spade-style hands.

A sunken subsidiary seconds register is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark.

Evidence for this section
  • “The classic white enamel dial provides a stark contrast to the bold black numerals”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock.”

Mechanism and Dating

The watch is listed as having a mechanical, manual-wind movement. The calibre and jewel count are recorded as 'U/K' (unknown) by the source.

The date of c. 1914 is provided by the source, though no movement serial number verification is cited.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement Type Mechanical”
  • “Calibre U/K”
  • “Date of issue c.1914”

Open research questions

  • Are there any internal case back or movement markings that could clarify the manufacturer or metal composition?
  • Does the dial design correspond to specific Swiss or British watchmakers from the c. 1914 period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Anonymous Dial WW1 Military Trench Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SKUVWS3092“SKU: VWS3092”
Case MaterialWhite metal“Case white metal”
DialWhite enamel“The classic white enamel dial provides a stark contrast to the bold black numerals”
Movement TypeMechanical manual wind“Movement Type Mechanical”
Width34mm (without crown)“Width (without crown) 34mm”
Lug Width13mm“Lug width 13mm”
Lug to Lug38mm“Lug height (lug to lug) 38mm”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and a contrasting red numeral 12.
  • Blued steel spade/poire hour hand and matching minute hand.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock.
  • Prominent onion-style winding crown at 3 o'clock.
  • Soldered wire lugs securing a black leather strap.

Research qualifications

  • The seller suspects solid silver case construction but notes an absence of identifying hallmarks, cataloguing it generally as white metal.
  • The movement is not visible in the provided image; calibre and jewel count are unrecorded.
  • The dating of c. 1914 is estimated by the source without movement serial verification.

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

Consulted source

Anonymous Dial - WW1 - Sub-Seconds - Military Trench Watch - c.1914 – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 954614d39f

Terms in this record

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

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