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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military automatic wristwatch

CWC Royal Navy military automatic wristwatch

Partially verified

This military wristwatch by CWC is catalogued to circa 1980 and reported to have been issued to the Royal Navy. It features a 42mm brushed and polished tonneau-form stainless steel case with fixed strap bars and a bi-directional calibrated black rotating bezel. The black dial presents luminous baton hour markers, Arabic numerals at the quarters, a circled Tritium 'T' mark, and luminous sword hands. The auction house notes a 17-jewel ETA calibre 2872 automatic movement and an associated green fabric strap with an associated steel buckle.

Front view of the CWC military automatic wristwatch on green fabric strap
Front view of the CWC military automatic wristwatch on green fabric strap — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military automatic wristwatch
Maker / attribution
CWC
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
65
Source-reported date
Circa 1980
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1160/81

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 Construction and Military Markings

The watch is catalogued with a 42mm brushed and polished tonneau-form stainless steel case featuring fixed strap bars and a bi-directional rotating bezel with a black calibrated insert. Visible observations confirm the calibrated black rotating bezel with minute graduations and a triangular reference marker.

The auction cataloguer reports a screw-down case back engraved with military issue markings reading '0552/923-7697 ↑ 1160/81', with an additional engraving of '0977.165-81' on the inner back. These markings are not visible in the provided primary front photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Size: 42mm”
  • “Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back engraved '0552/923-7697 ↑ 1160/81, inner back engraved 0977.165-81, fixed bars, bi-directional rotating bezel with black calibrated bezel”
  • “Calibrated black rotating dive bezel with minute graduations and a triangular marker”

Dial and Hands

The black dial is signed 'CWC' beneath 12 o'clock and features an encircled 'T' marking above the 6 o'clock marker. The hour track is detailed with luminous baton markers, Arabic numeral quarters at 3, 6, and 9, and white outer minute divisions.

Indications are provided by white sword-style hands with luminous inserts and a centre seconds hand. The luminous material on the dial and hands shows visible age-related discolouration in photographic examination.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: Black, Tritium T, luminous baton hour markers with Arabic numeral quarters, white outer minute divisions, white sword hands with luminous inserts, centre seconds”
  • “Black dial signed 'CWC' below 12 o'clock and marked with an encircled 'T' above 6 o'clock”
  • “Sword-style luminous hands and aged luminous hour markers, including Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9”

Reported Movement and Accessories

Internally, the timepiece is catalogued as housing a 17-jewel ETA calibre 2872 automatic movement. Because no movement view is included in the available photograph, movement markings, internal condition, and mechanical operation remain unverified.

The watch is fitted with an associated olive-green woven fabric strap and an associated steel buckle, catalogued as non-original attachments.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: 17-jewel ETA Cal.2872 automatic”
  • “Strap/Bracelet: Associated green fabric”
  • “Buckle/Clasp: Associated steel buckle”
  • “Fitted with an olive-green woven fabric strap”

Open research questions

  • Does direct physical or photographic inspection of the movement confirm the ETA calibre 2872 calibre signature and 17-jewel count?
  • Can direct photographic inspection verify the formatting, layout, and wear of the external case back military engraving ('0552/923-7697 ↑ 1160/81') and the internal mark ('0977.165-81')?
  • Does the tritium compound on the dial and hands show any physical indication of stabilization or prior luminous reluming under UV light?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for CWC Royal Navy military automatic wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement17-jewel ETA Cal.2872 automatic“17-jewel ETA Cal.2872 automatic”
Case Size42mm“Size: 42mm”
Case Back Engraving0552/923-7697 ↑ 1160/81“screw down back engraved '0552/923-7697 ↑ 1160/81”
StrapAssociated green fabric“Associated green fabric”
Inner Case Back Engraving0977.165-81“inner back engraved 0977.165-81”
BuckleAssociated steel buckle“Buckle/Clasp: Associated steel buckle”

Visible details

  • Black dial signed 'CWC' below 12 o'clock and marked with an encircled 'T' above 6 o'clock
  • Calibrated black rotating dive bezel with minute graduations and a triangular marker
  • Fitted with an olive-green woven fabric strap
  • Sword-style luminous hands and aged luminous hour markers, including Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back engravings are reported by the auction house but not visible in the provided primary image.
  • The green fabric strap and steel buckle are noted as associated rather than original.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : CWC. A rare military stainless steel automatic wristwatch issued to the Royal Navy Circa 1980

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f47d026a9a

Terms in this record

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