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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Trench watch

Trench watch presented to Private E. A. Thompson

Partially verified

This trench watch features a Swiss movement and is housed in a small metal case measuring 38 mm in length, 12 mm in depth, and 40 mm in height. The watch includes a glass face, a metal winder, and wide lugs intended for a strap, which is currently missing. The white enamelled dial displays large numerals originally featuring fluorescent paint, with a smaller subsidiary seconds dial located at the bottom. The piece is equipped with a hinged front and back cover. The hour hand is present, though the minute hand and the seconds hand are missing. An inscription on the back of the case documents that the watch was presented to Private Edgar Allan Thompson on 20 April 1916 by employees of the Clerical Department at Moran and Cato in Melbourne. The watch is associated with Thompson's military service during World War I.

Front view of the trench watch showing the enamel dial, numerals, and missing hands.
Front view of the trench watch showing the enamel dial, numerals, and missing hands. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Wristwatch · Trench watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
HT 25371
Source-reported date
1916
Source-reported place
Australia (association), Switzerland (movement origin)

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 Dial Construction

The trench watch is constructed with a metal case and a glass face. The design incorporates wide metal lugs positioned at the top and bottom of the case to facilitate the attachment of a strap. The watch features both a hinged front and back cover, allowing for access to the internal dial and the movement.

The white enamelled dial is marked with large numerals around the outer edge. These numerals were originally finished with a fluorescent paint. A smaller seconds dial is positioned at the bottom of the main dial. The watch retains its hour hand, but the minute hand and the small seconds hand are currently missing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Small metal trench watch, missing band, with glass face and metal winder.”
  • “There are wide metal lugs at the top and bottom to attach the wrist strap, which is now missing.”
  • “It has a white enamelled dial with large numerals around the outside, which were originally painted with a fluorescent paint.”
  • “It has a large hour hand, but is missing the minute hand.”

Provenance and Presentation

The watch was presented to Private Edgar Allan Thompson on 20 April 1916. The presentation was made by his fellow employees in the Clerical Department of the grocery firm Moran and Cato, located in Melbourne. Private Thompson subsequently served in France between October 1916 and April 1918.

An inscription on the hinged back of the case records the presentation details. The provenance records indicate that the watch was donated to the collection in 2010. Research into the owner includes the procurement of his military service record from the National Archives.

Evidence for this section
  • “This watch was presented to Private Edgar Allan Thompson on the 20th April, 1916, by his fellow employees in the Clerical Department of Melbourne grocers Moran and Cato.”
  • “Engraved on back of watch: 'PRESENTED TO / PVT E.A. THOMPSON / BY HIS FELLOW EMPLOYEES / CLERKICAL (sic) STAFF/ MESSR'. MORAN & CATO PTY LTD/ 20 - 4 - 16'”
  • “It has added significance as the owner of the watch, Private Edgar Allan Thompson (RN 5419) is known”

Historical Context

Trench watches, also referred to as wristlets, gained popularity during World War I. They are categorized as a transitional design between the pocket watch and the modern wristwatch, as they utilized pocket watch-style movements while being adapted for wrist wear.

These items were frequently presented to soldiers upon enlistment. The colloquial name for these watches refers to their common location of use during the war. The specific movement within this object is identified as being of Swiss origin.

Evidence for this section
  • “Trench Watch - Swiss Movement”
  • “This watch is significant as an example of a presentation trench watch, also known as a wristlet, which were often given to soldiers after they enlisted in the armed forces during World”
  • “It is seen as a transitional design between pocket watches and the wrist watch”
  • “Their colloquial name 'trench watch' literally referred to their place of use.”

Open research questions

  • What is the identity of the movement manufacturer housed within the case?
  • Are there internal movement markings that could provide a more precise date of manufacture?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Trench watch presented to Private E. A. Thompson
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Registration numberHT 25371“Registration number: HT 25371”
Dimensions38 mm x 12 mm x 40 mm“38 mm (Length), 12 mm (Depth), 40 mm (Height)”
RecipientPrivate Edgar Allan Thompson“Private Edgar Allan Thompson”
Presentation date20 April 1916“20 - 4 - 16”
OriginSwitzerland“Swiss Movement”
Inscription textPRESENTED TO PVT E.A. THOMPSON BY HIS FELLOW EMPLOYEES CLERKICAL (sic) STAFF MESSR. MORAN & CATO PTY LTD 20 - 4 - 16“'PRESENTED TO / PVT E.A. THOMPSON / BY HIS FELLOW EMPLOYEES / CLERKICAL (sic) STAFF/ MESSR'. MORAN & CATO PTY LTD/ 20 - 4 - 16'”

Visible details

  • White enamelled dial with subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position
  • Engraved presentation inscription on the hinged case back
  • Missing minute hand and subsidiary seconds hand
  • Wide lugs for attachment of a watch strap

Research qualifications

  • Specific manufacturer of the Swiss movement is not identified
  • Originality of the fluorescent paint is not confirmed beyond historical account

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

Consulted source

Trench Watch - Swiss Movement, Presented to Private E. A. Thompson, 1916

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record d06d5ba3d3

Terms in this record

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

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