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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Military pocket watch

Waltham British Military Issued Pocket Watch, Ref. 0552/520-8049

Partially verified

According to the seller, this Waltham pocket watch is a British Royal Navy military issue timepiece dating to circa the 1950s. The watch features a 51.5 mm stainless steel case with milled reeding and an onion crown, housing a manually wound mechanical movement. The black dial exhibits prominent Arabic numerals with tritium luminous material aged to a warm tone, marked with a circled 'T' symbol. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock. The seller reports that the case is marked with the NATO Royal Navy code 0552 alongside reference 0552/520-8049 and number 30326.

Dial view of the Waltham British Royal Navy pocket watch held in hand.
Dial view of the Waltham British Royal Navy pocket watch held in hand. — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Pocket watch · Military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Waltham
Reference
0552/520-8049
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws3742
Source-reported date
c. 1950s
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
30326

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

Visual & Dial Characteristics

The pocket watch displays a black dial configured with large luminescent Arabic hour numerals paired with perimeter dot minute markers. Above the center arbor, a circled 'T' mark is present. The dial features luminescent hands alongside a subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position.

The round case has a coin-edged or milled bezel framing a plexiglass crystal. It features a fluted, onion-shaped winding crown with a suspension bow located at the 12 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “The black dial features bold Arabic numerals with tritium lume, now aged to a rich pumpkin tone, and the “T” mark at its centre confirms its luminous material.”
  • “Oversized hands and a recessed sub-seconds dial add to its functional clarity.”
  • “Milled or coin-edged front bezel on a round metal case.”
  • “Fluted onion-shaped winding crown with top bow at 12 o'clock.”

Case Specifications & Reported Military Markings

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 51.5 mm in width. According to the seller, the timepiece was issued to the Royal Navy in the post-war era and dates to circa the 1950s.

The seller reports that the watch is engraved with the NATO Royal Navy code '0552' and gives the reference as '0552/520-8049 30326'. However, these case back engravings are not visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Housed in a stainless steel case with a finely milled edge and robust onion-style crown”
  • “This authentic Royal Navy-issued Waltham pocket watch, engraved with the NATO code 0552”
  • “Width 51.5mm”
  • “Model Ref 0552/520-8049 30326”

Mechanical Data & Documentation Limitations

The listing notes a manually wound mechanical movement. The seller lists key technical metrics—such as the movement calibre, the jewel count, the date of issue, and the power reserve—as unknown ('U/K').

Direct visual verification of the movement and the exterior case markings is not possible from the provided single photograph showing only the dial side. The seller also notes 'Box No' and 'Papers No'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement Type Mechanical”
  • “Calibre U/K”
  • “Jewels U/K”
  • “Date of Issue U/K”
  • “Box No”
  • “Papers No”

Open research questions

  • What specific Waltham movement calibre and movement serial number are stamped inside the case?
  • What is the exact layout and content of the engravings on the case back, and is a broad arrow (pheon) present alongside the reported 0552 stores designation?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham British Military Issued Pocket Watch, Ref. 0552/520-8049
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model Reference0552/520-8049 30326“Model Ref 0552/520-8049 30326”
Case MaterialStainless Steel“Case Stainless Steel”
Width51.5mm“Width 51.5mm”
CrystalPlexiglass“Crystal Plexiglass”
WindingManual“Winding Manual”
Original PackagingNo“Box No”
Original PapersNo“Papers No”
Movement Calibre StatusUnknown“Calibre U/K”
Reported Condition Rating8.5/10 (Seller reported)“Condition 8.5/10”

Visible details

  • Black dial with bold luminescent Arabic numerals and perimeter dot minute markers.
  • Circled 'T' tritium marking located above the center arbor.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position.
  • Milled or coin-edged front bezel on a round metal case.
  • Fluted onion-shaped winding crown with top bow at 12 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Movement calibre, jewel count, and specific date of issue are noted as unknown by the seller.
  • The movement and case back markings described by the seller are not visible in the provided photograph.

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

Consulted source

Waltham British Military issued Pocket Watch - Military - Marked 0552 – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record bedff877d7

Terms in this record

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

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