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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Pocket watch conversion wristwatch

H. Moser & Cie Cylis Watch US Signal Corps Pocket Watch Conversion

Partially verified

This oversized timepiece is an H. Moser & Cie pocket watch converted into a wristwatch, reportedly issued around 1910 to the United States Army Signal Corps. Housed in a 54 mm stainless steel case with articulated wire lugs, the watch features a manual-wind mechanical movement. The silver dial presents blued steel hands, Arabic hour numerals with an inner 24-hour track, and a subsidiary seconds dial located at 9 o'clock. It is mounted on a brown leather strap.

Oblique dial view of the oversized converted wristwatch held in hand, showing blued hands and sub-seconds at 9 o'clock
Oblique dial view of the oversized converted wristwatch held in hand, showing blued hands and sub-seconds at 9 o'clock — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Wristwatch · Pocket watch conversion wristwatch
Maker / attribution
H. Moser & Cie.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws3317cs
Source-reported date
c. 1910
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

Object Identity and Conversion

This timepiece is catalogued as an oversized pocket watch conversion attributed to H. Moser & Cie, titled "Cylis Watch". The seller suggests that the piece originated as a pocket watch produced around 1910 and was subsequently converted into a wristwatch, resulting in a large case width of 54 mm and a total lug height of 75 mm.

The dial configuration is unusual for a converted pocket watch: rather than positioning running seconds opposite a typical stem location, the sub-seconds register is situated at the 9 o'clock position on the dial, with an onion-style winding crown positioned near 2 o'clock relative to the converted dial orientation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Unique Oversized Pocket Watch Conversion Originally Issued to US Signal Corps”
  • “At some point in its life, it has been converted into a wristwatch, which is baffling, to say the least, due to its gigantic profile at 54mm.”
  • “Unlike most pocket watches where the sub-seconds dial is placed at 6 o'clock, it can be seen at 9 o'clock giving it another unique touch of character.”
  • “Sub-seconds register is positioned at the 9 o'clock position on the dial”
  • “Onion-style winding crown positioned near 2 o'clock relative to the converted dial orientation”

Dial and Case Architecture

The case is constructed from stainless steel, measuring 54 mm wide by 75 mm in lug height, and is fitted with a plexiglass crystal and articulated wire-style loop lugs accommodating a 20 mm leather strap. The seller describes the case as showing very light wear, grading condition at 9/10.

The silver dial features blued steel hands, primary Arabic hour markers, and an inner numeric track accented with red. Direct dial markings include "H. Moser & Cie / Cylis Watch" printed below the 12 o'clock marker and "Signal Corps U.S.A." printed above the 6 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “The large case is made from solid stainless steel and displays very light wear which is surprising given its age.”
  • “Blue steel hands contrast nicely against a silver dial and touches of red placed on the inner numerals.”
  • “Articulated wire-style loop lugs attached to a brown leather strap”
  • “Dial is inscribed 'H. Moser & Cie / Cylis Watch' below 12 and 'Signal Corps U.S.A.' above 6”
  • “Condition 9/10”

Mechanical Movement and Documentation Limits

The watch features a manual-winding mechanical movement, but specific internal movement specifications—including caliber reference, jewel count, and power reserve—are listed as unknown, and no internal movement photographs are provided. The seller states that the watch was running and functional when catalogued, though it had not been serviced prior to receipt.

The purported connection to the United States Army Signal Corps and the date of circa 1910 are based on seller belief and the dial inscription. The listing notes that no box or papers are present, and no official military records or conversion documentation are recorded in the source to confirm provenance or the modifier.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre Unknown”
  • “Jewels Unknown”
  • “Power Reserve Unknown”
  • “We believe that this unique-looking timepiece was originally a pocket watch issued to the United States Army Signal Corps around 1910.”
  • “The watch is running as it should and is completely functional but has not been serviced prior to us receiving it”
  • “Box/Papers No/No”

Open research questions

  • What movement caliber and serial number are stamped on the mechanism inside the case?
  • Does the case back show internal H. Moser & Cie signatures or third-party case maker hallmarks indicative of aftermarket conversion?
  • Does the 'Signal Corps U.S.A.' dial printing match documented original Signal Corps contract specifications from c. 1910?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for H. Moser & Cie Cylis Watch US Signal Corps Pocket Watch Conversion
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerH. Moser & Cie“H.Moser & Cie SKU: vws3317cs”
Case MaterialStainless Steel“Case Stainless Steel”
Width54mm“Width 54mm”
Lug Height75mm“Lug Height 75mm”
Dial ColorSilver“Dial Silver”
CrystalPlexiglass“Crystal Plexiglass”
WindingManual“Winding Manual”
Lug Width20mm“Lug width 20mm”
Strap MaterialLeather“Bracelet Leather”
Seller Condition Rating9/10“Condition 9/10”
Box and PapersNo / No“Box/Papers No/No”

Visible details

  • Sub-seconds register is positioned at the 9 o'clock position on the dial
  • Onion-style winding crown positioned near 2 o'clock relative to the converted dial orientation
  • Articulated wire-style loop lugs attached to a brown leather strap
  • Dial is inscribed 'H. Moser & Cie / Cylis Watch' below 12 and 'Signal Corps U.S.A.' above 6

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement caliber and jewel count are unknown as no movement view is provided
  • The historical issuance to the US Signal Corps is based on seller attribution and dial printing without official military service records provided

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

Consulted source

H.Moser & Cie - Cylis Watch - US Signal Corps - Pocket Watch Conversio – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 01d461389c

Terms in this record

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

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