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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Trench watch

Swiss WW1 Sterling Silver Trench Watch c.1916

Partially verified

This First World War era officer's trench watch dates to circa 1916–1917, featuring a solid .925 sterling silver case assayed in London with the 'GS' hallmark of import sponsor Stockwell & Company. The round case features fixed wire lugs mounted to a brown leather bund strap, a ridged bezel, and a brass winding crown. Its white dial displays outlined Arabic numerals with a red numeral at 12 o'clock, cathedral hands with intact luminous filler, a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, and an outer railway minute track.

Oblique view of the sterling silver trench watch dial, ridged bezel, winding crown, and wire lugs mounted on a bund strap
Oblique view of the sterling silver trench watch dial, ridged bezel, winding crown, and wire lugs mounted on a bund strap — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Wristwatch · Trench watch
Maker / attribution
Stockwell & Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws0615
Source-reported date
c. 1916-1917
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

Case and Provenance

This trench watch features a .925 sterling silver case, which includes a ridged bezel and fixed wire lugs. The watch was imported into the UK by Stockwell & Company, serving as a British assay agent for Swiss-made watches.

The case features hallmarks including a 'U' and cross, signifying London registration, and an 'A' hallmark indicating the watch was assayed between 1916 and 1917.

Evidence for this section
  • “Assayed .925 Sterling Silver London 1916-1917.”
  • “this watch was imported into the UK by 'GS', which denotes Stockwell & Company”
  • “The 'U' and cross in the case back denotes a London-registered watch, and the 'A' that the watch received its hallmark between 1916 & 1917.”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white ceramic dial with Arabic numerals and a distinct red '12' at the 12 o'clock position. The dial includes an outer chapter ring that intersects a subsidiary seconds sub-register at 6 o'clock.

The watch is fitted with cathedral-style hour and minute hands described as having intact luminous compound.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: White ceramic, Arabic numerals, red '12'.”
  • “wonderful cathedral hands with the entire lume intact”
  • “beautiful chapter ring which cuts through the small seconds sub-register at 6:00”

Condition and Limitations

The case back displays faintly hand-etched initials and a reported tiny solder repair on the edge. The technical specifications, including the movement caliber, are provided by the source, though these components are not visible in the provided imagery.

The watch is recorded as having a manual winding movement and a plexiglass crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “There are some faintly hand etched initials on the case back and what looks like a tiny solder repair to the edge of the case back!”
  • “Calibre: Déposé 9846”
  • “Crystal: Plexiglass”

Open research questions

  • Are there specific records for the 'Déposé 9846' movement designation?
  • Do the hand-etched initials on the case back correspond to any known provenance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss WW1 Sterling Silver Trench Watch c.1916
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material.925 Sterling Silver“Assayed .925 Sterling Silver London 1916-1917.”
Importer / SponsorStockwell & Company“this watch was imported into the UK by 'GS', which denotes Stockwell & Company”
LugsFixed wire lugs“The roomy fixed wire lugs”
Hallmark Date LetterA (1916–1917)“and the 'A' that the watch received its hallmark between 1916 & 1917”
Dimensions34mm width, 42mm height“Width (without crown) 34mm Height (lug to lug) 42mm”

Visible details

  • White dial with outlined Arabic numerals and a distinct red '12'.
  • Cathedral hour and minute hands filled with pale luminous compound.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock, intersecting the inner chapter ring and numerals.
  • Round silver case with a fine coin-edge or ridged bezel and brass winding crown.
  • Fixed wire lugs fitted to a thick dark brown leather bund strap.

Research qualifications

  • Stockwell & Company was the UK import and assay agent, not the movement or watch manufacturer.
  • Source reports internal movement caliber and case back hallmarks, which are not visible in the provided image.
  • Source notes faint hand-etched initials on the case back and a possible tiny solder repair on the case edge.

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

Consulted source

WW1 Sterling Silver Swiss Trench Watch c.1916 with wire lugs - 'GS' ha – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c34175dc12

Terms in this record

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

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