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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Military pocket watch

Buren Grand Prix WWII Military Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is a Swiss open-face military pocket watch by Buren, dated by the seller to circa 1940 and reported as used by the British government during World War II. The white enamel dial is signed 'BUREN GRAND PRIX' and 'SWISS MADE', featuring Arabic numeral hour markers, skeleton blued steel hands originally filled with luminous paint, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The seller reports a stem-wound, stem-set 15-jewel nickel three-finger bridge movement with lever escapement housed in a 51 mm white metal case. The snap-on case back is reported to be engraved with a broad government issue arrow and marked 'GSTP, H17012, Bravingtons, London'.

Dial and front view of the Buren Grand Prix military pocket watch, showing worn case bezel and subsidiary seconds register
Dial and front view of the Buren Grand Prix military pocket watch, showing worn case bezel and subsidiary seconds register — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.atlam-watches.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Buren
Reference
H17012
Catalogue / lot identifier
WS80
Source-reported date
c. 1940
Country
Switzerland

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

Dial and Exterior Observations

The timepiece features a white enamel dial, which exhibits a hairline crack near the 4 o'clock position. The hands are described as blue steel, noted to have lost their original luminous paint.

The watch is housed in an open-face, white metal case measuring 51 mm in width and 13 mm in depth. The exterior shows wear, specifically described as white color loss on the front bezel and sides.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel dial has a set of blue steel hands which have loss their old luminous paint”
  • “a hairline on the 4”
  • “white colour has worn off the front bezel and sides”
  • “The watch measures 51mm wide x 13mm deep”

Movement Configuration

The internal mechanism is a 15-jewel nickel three-finger bridge movement with a lever escapement. The movement is signed 'Buren, Grand Prix, 15 Jewels, Swiss Made'.

The watch operates via a stem-wound, stem-set configuration. The source states the movement is in 90% mint condition with some light scratches and marks.

Evidence for this section
  • “the nickel 3 finger bridge movement has a lever escapement is signed “Buren, Grand Prix, 15 Jewels, Swiss Made””
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “in 90% mint condition – some light scratches and marks”

Military Markings and Attribution

The case features a snap-on back and bezel. The case back is engraved with a broad government issue arrow and the markings 'GSTP', 'H17012', and 'Bravingtons, London'.

The seller identifies the watch as a piece used by the British government during World War II, with an approximate dating of circa 1940.

Evidence for this section
  • “is engraved with a large government issue arrow on the back and GSTP, H17012, Bravingtons, London””
  • “This is a Swiss watch used by the British government during World War 2”

Open research questions

  • Does the 'Bravingtons, London' retailer mark indicate private sale or specific military contract fulfillment?
  • Can the serial number H17012 be cross-referenced with known Ministry of Defence 'General Service Timepiece' (GSTP) ledger records?
  • Is the observed 'white metal' base material consistent with standard nickel-plated brass cases used in wartime GSTP production?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Buren Grand Prix WWII Military Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and Calibre InscriptionBuren, Grand Prix, 15 Jewels, Swiss Made“signed “Buren, Grand Prix, 15 Jewels, Swiss Made””
Case Back EngravingGSTP, H17012, Bravingtons, London with broad arrow“engraved with a large government issue arrow on the back and GSTP, H17012, Bravingtons, London””
Dimensions51 mm wide by 13 mm deep“The watch measures 51mm wide x 13mm deep”
Movement ConstructionNickel 3 finger bridge movement with lever escapement“the nickel 3 finger bridge movement has a lever escapement”
Winding and SettingStem wound / stem set“The watch is stem wound / stem set”
Crystal MaterialPlastic“The watch has a plastic glass”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with alternating solid and outlined Arabic numerals and an outer railroad minute track
  • Blued steel skeletonized hands devoid of luminous material
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with ten-second numerical increments
  • Open-face white metal case showing substantial finish wear along the bezel
  • Round bow and ribbed onion-style crown positioned at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back inscriptions are not visible in the supplied photograph and rely entirely on dealer statements
  • Seller notes a hairline crack at 4 o'clock on the dial and lost luminous hand filling

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

Consulted source

WWII MILITARY Pocket watch by Buren c1940

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 05c93a97b2

Terms in this record

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

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